BMW Undecided on Next-Gen GT3 Model

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

BMW has yet to decide on its next-generation GT3 model, with motorsports boss Jens Marquardt admitting options remain open for the future.

The German manufacturer, which introduced the M6 GT3 in 2016, has reaffirmed its commitment to the current model through at least 2019, following the release of an Evo kit for the car.

However, Marquardt indicated that preliminary discussions are underway for the next-generation BMW GT3 car, which could debut as early as 2020.

“At the moment, with the Evo that we have introduced this year, I think it’s fair for the customers to have it for this and the next year,” he told Sportscar365.

“It’s investments they do into parts and everything and I think commercially, it’s all quite challenging at the moment.

“We have to see where the future in that respect also goes.

“We’ve launched the M4 GT4 for this year and I was happy to see some of them running here already. Between the two categories, we have to see where the customers go as well.

“For sure, the M6 will be with us this year and next year, and we’ll just have to see over the course of time what is coming next.”

When asked if BMW could revert to the Z4, following the launch of a third-generation road car model for 2019, Marquardt said he believes its future in GT3 would “definitely” be with an M car, admitting the Z4 GT3 was a “compromise.”

Conversely, it was long believed that the M4 model had been reserved exclusively for DTM, although it has been introduced for GT4 competition this year.

“We’ll sit with M and look where the powertrains go for them and what we think the regulations will be like, and then see what’s the best fit for the brand,” Marquardt said.

“Obviously, the GT3 has to really give a contribution to the brand.

“We were hoping with the M6 that we could boost this car and initially it worked, but obviously we were towards the end of the life cycle and now the successor of the 6 Series is the 8 Series.

“The 6 Series is only the GT, so we have to see what we do next. This will be done in very close conjunction with the M people because that’s what it’s all about.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John