BMW’s new-for-2022 GT3 challenger, the M4 GT3, has broken cover following its initial rollout last weekend in Germany.
Augusto Farfus handled driving duties of the car at the BMW Group Plant in Dingolfing, while track testing is set to begin next week at Miramas in France.
The shakedown at Dingolfing served as the first “function test” for the car, which will make its debut under the FIA’s new GT3 ruleset arriving in 2022.
“It is always an emotional moment when a newly-developed BMW race car takes to the track for the first time,” said BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt. “This time, however, I am particularly proud.
“Given the difficult conditions of the past few months, it is quite remarkable that we have managed to implement our development program as planned, and whilst complying with the BMW Group’s strict safety and hygiene regulations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, have managed to stick to the date originally envisaged for the rollout of the BMW M4 GT3.”
Technical details of the car have not been released other than BMW confirming that the road and race models have been developed in parallel, with the BMW M4 Coupe to be launched in September.
The M4 GT3 will serve as the successor to the 2016 and 2018 Total 24 Hours of Spa-winning M6 GT3, and is slated to contest its first race next year in preparation for a full customer rollout in 2022.
BMW started developing the car in early 2019 with CFD computer simulations, while the car’s 500-plus horsepower engine was put on a test stand in February.
Wind tunnel testing on a 60 percent scale model was carried out in the middle of the year, around the time when BMW’s plans to base its next GT3 car on the M4 were revealed.
BMW officially announced the project in December while the first test chassis was produced at the Regensburg BMW Group plant in early 2020 ahead of the inaugural run.
“It was fantastic and a great honor for me to be able to drive the first few meters in the new BMW M4 GT3,” said Farfus after the rollout.
“I have been involved in the development of several BMW race cars and am always particularly pleased to be a part of such an important project.
“Although our main job during the rollout is to perform functional tests, I had a good feeling in the car from the outset and am already looking forward to the tests scheduled for the coming months.”