GT4 racing is on the rise, with a growing number of constructors offering machinery capable of contesting a wide range of racing series around the world. What you see here is our first look at the upcoming new contender from BMW.

The new M4 GT4 will replace the outgoing M3 GT4 and slot into the BMW Motorsport lineup alongside the M6 GT3 and M235i Racing. It’s based very closely on the production M4; the powertrain in fact is entirely identical to the road-going version.

Where the GT4 version stands apart is with its bodywork: The carbon-fiber hood is lifted directly from the M4 GTS and is joined by carbon-fiber doors, a racing exhaust, and a track-specific front splitter and rear wing. Inside it features the same seats and pedal box from the M6 GT3.

Customer teams can expect to take delivery starting in the second half of next year, paving the way for a potential race debut at the 24 Hours of Dubai in January 2018. It’ll face some stiff competition, though, from a field of GT4 contenders that already include the likes of the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Maserati GranTurismo MC and KTM X-Bow GT4, to name but a few.

PHOTO