Motor Authority - blog Tag: GT4

Sitting down to dinner with Dr. Kay Segler, head of BMW's M Division and former chief of Mini, is an engaging prospect for any performance and luxury car enthusiast, but this dinner proved not only entertaining, but enlightening.

There's no better source for what's planned behind the scenes at BMW's famed performance haus, and Segler gave us a few enticing hints of what might be on the way over the next several years. First on the list is the M3 GT4.

The car contested this year's 24 Hour Nurburgring endurance race through BMW's Customer Racing program, and the M Division is now considering the car for limited production so that more... Sitting down to dinner with Dr. Kay Segler, head of BMW's M Division and former chief of Mini, is an engaging prospect for any performance and luxury car enthusiast, but this dinner proved not only entertaining, but enlightening. There's no better source for what's planned behind the scenes at BMW's famed performance haus, and Segler gave us a few enticing hints of what might be on the way over the next several years. First on the list is the M3 GT4. The car contested this year's 24 Hour Nurburgring endurance race through BMW's Customer Racing program, and the M Division is now considering the car for limited production so that more entry-level race teams can compete, according to Segler. He emphasized the importance of grass-roots participation in motorsport and the M Division's interest in helping to preserve and promote that aspect of competition. And that's a sentiment any enthusiast can appreciate. Segler also discussed the possibility for a diesel M-car, but dismissed it as unrealistic until America embraces diesel more deeply since the U.S. is a key market for building any business case for a luxury or performance car. This is a familiar response when dealing with European automakers, and you can clearly see that the desire to put the cars out there exists, but without a market that's willing to pay the diesel premium it simply doesn't make for good business. Finally, the M Sports line of vehicles was mentioned as a potential in-between line to bridge the gap between BMW's standard vehicle range and the M Division's offerings - sportier and offering an improved level of performance, but not as focused and dedicated as the M vehicles tend to be. While many might say BMW already has too many models and variations, there is a certain logic to the idea that means it could just see implementation.BMW M3 GT4 race car Read More

BMW will be using next month’s Nurburgring 24 hour endurance challenge to continue testing its GT4-class M3 race car, which will take place over the weekend starting on the 23rd of May. Behind the wheel will be BMW works drivers Augusto Farfus, Jörg Müller, and Andy Priaulx, all of whom are normally involved in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). As a change, two journalists from German magazine ‘sport auto’ will also be spending some time behind the wheel on race weekend.

Importantly, it is not BMW Motorsport that will fielding car but rather its Customer Racing program, together with Schubert Motorsport.

The... BMW will be using next month’s Nurburgring 24 hour endurance challenge to continue testing its GT4-class M3 race car, which will take place over the weekend starting on the 23rd of May. Behind the wheel will be BMW works drivers Augusto Farfus, Jörg Müller, and Andy Priaulx, all of whom are normally involved in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). As a change, two journalists from German magazine ‘sport auto’ will also be spending some time behind the wheel on race weekend. Importantly, it is not BMW Motorsport that will fielding car but rather its Customer Racing program, together with Schubert Motorsport. The new BMW M3 GT4, the youngest addition to the Customer Racing product range, made its debut on the legendary Nordschleifecircuit at last weekend's 56th ADAC Westfalenfahrt. After four hours, the Schubert Motorsport-backed team was victorious in the SP10 class, and finished 30th overall. The Nordschleife at the Nurburgring has played a very special role in the history of BMW. Many of the carmaker’s drivers have enjoyed numerous successes there since the first 24-hour race was held in 1970. Last year alone, one third of the 150 cars that completed the race were BMW made. Furthermore, with 114 class victories, BMW is by far the most successful carmaker in the history of the event.BMW M3 GT4 race car Read More

The wraps have come off the new Maserati GranTurismo MC race car, which has been developed for the FIA GT4 class and will compete in several GT4 European Cup races later this year. The new model is an offshoot of the GranTurismo MC Concept introduced last September in Monza and is based on the GranTurismo S road version, with electro-actuated gearbox system.

No major specs have been revealed but the car runs the GranTurismo’s 4.7L V8 engine, and features a double cone racing air filter, high-flow exhaust with removable catalysts, and full carbon-fiber bodywork. According to Maserati the car also has a power-to-weight ratio of less... The wraps have come off the new Maserati GranTurismo MC race car, which has been developed for the FIA GT4 class and will compete in several GT4 European Cup races later this year. The new model is an offshoot of the GranTurismo MC Concept introduced last September in Monza and is based on the GranTurismo S road version, with electro-actuated gearbox system. No major specs have been revealed but the car runs the GranTurismo’s 4.7L V8 engine, and features a double cone racing air filter, high-flow exhaust with removable catalysts, and full carbon-fiber bodywork. According to Maserati the car also has a power-to-weight ratio of less than 3.4kg/hp (4.6kg/kW) and a kerb weight of less than 1,400kg. Maserati chose to create a model with GT4 features because this is the category with the closest links to production models, as well as in response to a niche of GranTurismo road car owners who seeking a racing version of their cars. A limited series of the GranTurismo MC produced for gentlemen drivers who wish to race in the 2010 GT4 European Cup and the national series, will be on sale from October. The indicative price is €135,000 plus taxes, and the cars will be sold directly through the Maserati Corse racing division. Maserati eventually hopes to launch its own one-make series, similar to Lamborghini’s own Super Trofeo series, and is looking for a 2010 debut.Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse ConceptMaserati GranTurismo MC GT4 Read More

If you want to go fast around a track, chances are you already know about the KTM X-Bow - but you may not know about the four new variants introduced today in Geneva. Even as the model range expands, however, KTM is drawing back production to meet the receding market.

The familiar KTM X-Bow is now the X-Bow Street - the everyday road-legal track-day car, and the least expensive of the bunch at €49,980 ($62,750). Its 240hp (177kW) engine and low 1,741lb (790kg) curb weight combine to make it the most efficient of the range as well.

Next up is the Clubsport, which adds a finer-tuned chassis and €10,000 to the price, though the... If you want to go fast around a track, chances are you already know about the KTM X-Bow - but you may not know about the four new variants introduced today in Geneva. Even as the model range expands, however, KTM is drawing back production to meet the receding market. The familiar KTM X-Bow is now the X-Bow Street - the everyday road-legal track-day car, and the least expensive of the bunch at €49,980 ($62,750). Its 240hp (177kW) engine and low 1,741lb (790kg) curb weight combine to make it the most efficient of the range as well. Next up is the Clubsport, which adds a finer-tuned chassis and €10,000 to the price, though the powertrain remains the same. It's still street legal, but it adds many race-car features, such as individually adjustable pedals, fire extinguisher and dry battery, double adjustable dampers and a mechanical limited-slip differential. All of the upgrades do add some weight, however, with the Clubsport tipping the scales at 1,774lb (805kg). Shaving weight is left to the Superlight model, which replaces the body panels with lighter-weight carbon fiber for real gains through added lightness. The features of the Superlight echo those of the Clubsport, but with significantly less weight: 1,730lb (785kg) at the curb. Lightness is one of the most expensive things in motorsports, however, and the price reflects that: the Superlight starts at €79,980 ($100,400). For a true race-car experience, you have to go for the GT4 edition, previously known as the 'Race', which as the name suggest is homologated to FIA GT4 standards. Extensive use of carbon fiber for aerodynamic and body elements offsets some of the weight added for homologation, but the car is still the heaviest of the group at 1,818lb (825kg). The GT4's price tag is a cool €82,900 ($104,000). Finally, there's the ROC, named for the Race of Champions - a special stadium-race held among the top finishers in motorsport around the world, from NASCAR to WRC to Formula 1 and more to sort out who's the best of the best. Features of the ROC are somewhere between the Street and Clubsport packages, with the LSD and adjustable pedals making for a fun and comfortable driving experience. Full ROC livery is also part of the package. Only 30 units of the ROC will be built, and its price reflects its limited status, at €69,980 ($87,900). Which brings us back around to KTM's decision to pull down production numbers. About 400 of the standard X-Bow have been sold so far, and KTM had envisioned output of about 1,000 per year. It has reduced its target to just 600 now, however, due to the fallen market. Nevertheless, the widened X-Bow range means there'll be something for everyone that wants to buy one, provided they can find one to buy.KTM X-Bow range Read More

Aston Martin through its motorsport division has released the 2009 specification Vantage GT4 race car based on its latest 4.7L V8 Vantage sports luxury coupe. The new Vantage GT4 builds on the success of its predecessor, the 4.3L Vantage N24, and has been under development for the past six months.

The previous N24 has proven to be one of the most successful cars in its class, winning the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year, as well as several FIA GT4 races. The latest version of the car is an evolution of the N24 with the larger capacity engine being more responsive with increased torque throughout the rev range.

The 4.7L V8 has an engine... Aston Martin through its motorsport division has released the 2009 specification Vantage GT4 race car based on its latest 4.7L V8 Vantage sports luxury coupe. The new Vantage GT4 builds on the success of its predecessor, the 4.3L Vantage N24, and has been under development for the past six months. The previous N24 has proven to be one of the most successful cars in its class, winning the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year, as well as several FIA GT4 races. The latest version of the car is an evolution of the N24 with the larger capacity engine being more responsive with increased torque throughout the rev range. The 4.7L V8 has an engine management system recalibrated for race use. It also has a free flow exhaust system and air filters, and the standard V8 dry sump lubrication system is retained, helping to prevent oil surge during cornering. At 1,330kg the Vantage GT4 is 300kg lighter than the standard car. This has been achieved through a range of weight reduction measures. The interior trim is removed with the exception of the facia molding, which is re-trimmed in Alcantara, and the console and door casings are replaced by new lightweight moldings. The chassis has been fitted with a high-strength steel roll-cage and Recaro competition seats. A suede-trimmed steering wheel with a quick release mechanism is also fitted as standard. The Vantage GT4’s safety features are completed with a Sabelt six-point safety harness with a push-button release and Lifeline Zero 360 gas extinguisher system. The suspension has also been re-tuned to enhance the handling, including modified front uprights to give increased camber. The 2009 Vantage GT4 also has larger front brake discs with revised cooling. Cast magnesium front and rear wheels are standard fit with high performance Yokohama A048-R tires. Customers will be able to pick either a manual or sportshift automatic transmission with paddle-shifters, and both gearboxes have a Valeo twin-plate cerametallic racing clutch and lightweight flywheel to complete the powertrain specification. Pricing will be set at £96,645 (approximately $142,694) when the vehicle goes on sale in January, with Aston Martin targeting both professional and semi-professional race drivers, as well as enthusiasts who wish to use it for track days and club racing.Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 Read More