BMW new M4 racer cops giant grille, say it isn’t so!

BMW has released the first teaser image of its upcoming M4 GT3 race car, and while it is only a design sketch, it reveals the outline of a kidney grille that seems to expand and go on and on.

If the real deal is going to be anything similar to the sketch, it is clear that the M4 GT3 will be adopting the Concept 4’s controversial grille, and is very similar to MOTOR magazine’s exclusive render of the upcoming M3/M4 that is featured on the cover of the December 2019 issue.

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Picture: Turning up the exposure reveals the outline of the centre grille

While we’re now aware the M3 is to sport a relatively standard kidney, the larger and more controversial grille is believed to be destined for the road-going M4.

Even BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt describes the race car as “a real highlight in terms of optics and technology”.

Though a race car, BMW says the M4 GT3 will be based on the production M4, and if BMW’s move to preview the production M8’s design through the M8 GTE racer is any precedence, that big grille is likely going to be part of the production car’s looks.

BMW confirms that the M4 will be powered by the inline-six turbocharged S58 engine that is currently used in the X3 M and X4 M SUV siblings, and will have “more than 500hp (372kW)”.

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The M4 GT3 will be replacing BMW M Motorsports’ M6 GT3 racer, which has been used by privateer race teams in international GT racing since 2016, and will becoming the flagship for customer racing.

BMW Motorsports will be developing and testing the M4 GT3 throughout the 2020 season, with regular tests in race conditions planned for 2021, and expected to be ready for customers for the 2022 season.

This is the last week to grab a copy of MOTOR December 2019, with our scoop on all the juicy details of the production M3 and M4.