BMW M4 GTS sold out

Local BMW enthusiasts have snapped up Australia's allocation of the new M4 GTS despite a near-$300,000 price tag.

Such was the demand for the hardcore track special that BMW Australia managed to double its initial allocation, securing 25 of the 700-unit global build run despite the $295,000 price tag being almost twice that of a regular M4.

The GTS debuts a water injection system for the M4's 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six, first tested on the 2015 Moto GP safety car, which lifts power from 317kW/550Nm to 368kW/600Nm, dropping the 0-100km/h claim to 3.8sec and lifting top speed to 305km/h.

Water is drawn from a five-litre tank in the boot and is sprayed into the intake system to cool the air and allow more boost pressure (22psi vs 17psi) to be used. BMW claims the tank needs refilling with every tank of fuel on track or every five tanks on the road.

Weight drops 30kg to 1510kg courtesy of a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) bonnet, front splitter and rear wing, carbon ceramic brakes, lightweight wheels and the front seats being replaced by lightweight carbon buckets.

The rear seats are deleted entirely, but a Race Package, consisting of a half roll-cage, six-point harnesses and fire extinguisher, is a no-cost option. Hardcore track goers can shed a further 7kg by optioning carbon wheels for a mere $21,650.

Regardless of wheels specified, the M4 GTS wears Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber (265/35 ZR 19 front; 285/30 ZR20 rear) to make the most of the car's revised chassis setup.

The coilover suspension can be adjusted for height, rebound and high and low-speed compression damping, while the rear wing and front splitter are also adjustable to balance drag and downforce. The result of these changes is an impressive Nurburgring lap time of just 7min 28sec.

Australian deliveries begin in September and we'll be sampling the M4 GTS on road and track around that time. Could this be BMW's return to PCOTY glory?