BMW M6 GT3 and M6 GTLM 2015 for 2016 season

In October 2014 BMW Motorsports confirmed that they were preparing a BMW M6 GT3 for the 2016 season in replacement to the BMW Z4 GT3 that was competing since 2010. The BMW M6 GT3 was introduced officially at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015; the BMW M6 GT3 was proposed for sale to private racing teams. At the same time the BMW M6 GTLM was prepared for the 2016 season in North America IMSA Weathertech Championship. The BMW M6 GTLM is essentially a factory racing car. This explains that there are more technical data available for the BMW M6 GT3. The BMW M6 GT3 is currently entered in several races and championships.

2016 Nurburgring 24 Hours - BMW M6 GT3 5th overall

“For me, as BMW Motorsport Director, there are few things more exciting than the development of a completely new car like the BMW M6 GT3,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “This car’s properties make it predestined to succeed the BMW Z4 GT3. The BMW Z4 GT3 has enjoyed success around the world in recent years, and is very popular among our customers. We obviously want to follow on from this success with the BMW M6 GT3. After all, the target we have set ourselves is to provide our customers with the best possible material. We also want to demonstrate the high product substance of BMW M cars in motorsport with the BMW M6 GT3. We are all very excited to see it in action at the initial tests. One thing is certain from the first design sketches: this car is going to have the wow factor. It goes without saying that we will continue to offer BMW Z4 GT3 customers our full support, just as they have come to expect from us.” 

The heart of the BMW M6 GT3 is the BMW M Twin Power Turbo 8-cylinder petrol engine, which features a capacity of 4.4 litres. The engine is familiar from the production model and has been modified specifically for racing. The chassis is being optimised by hand for the specific demands of the racetrack in the BMW Motorsport workshop in Munich (DE). With regard to technology, the focus is on the use of extras that meet the very highest and latest standards in motorsport development, such as racing gearbox, racing ABS and racing electronics. Even now, BMW Motorsport is focussing on safety, reliability and affordable running costs, to ensure that our customers can enjoy successful motorsport at the highest level with the BMW M6 GT3, without the financial burden being too great.

In September 2015 the newly developed BMW M6 GT3 was presented to a specialist audience at the 66th International Motor Show(IAA) in Frankfurt am Main (DE). The racing version of the BMW M6 Coupe will be sent into action by numerous privateer teams from the 2016 season in a host of championships and renowned race events around the world as part of the BMW Sports Trophy.

And let’s not forget the design: with its athletic lines, the BMW M6 GT3 is a real eye-catcher. I am confident that we are excellently positioned for the future with this top model in our customer racing range.”

BMW M6 GT3 in some early action

Spa-Francorchamps (BE), 31st July 2016. The BMW M6 GT3 repeated last year’s success for its predecessor, the BMW Z4 GT3, by winning the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BE). After 531 laps, the ROWE Racing car number 99, driven by Maxime Martin (BE), Philipp Eng (AT) and Alexander Sims (GB), crossed the finish line in first place. The trio clinched the 23rd victory overall for BMW in the endurance classic at the "Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps".

The BMW M6 GTLM for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

In 2016, BMW Motorsport introduces a brand-new GT racing car to its works involvement, in the form of the BMW M6 GTLM. The new car replaces its predecessor the BMW Z4 GTLM and heralds a new chapter in North American GT racing. A special milestone in a special year for BMW, as the manufacturer celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016.

The GT3 version of the BMW M6 had to be modified for the GTLM version, in order to comply with the ACO regulations which apply in the GTLM class of the IWSC. Even while developing the GT3 car, BMW Motorsport already took into account the changes that would be required to make it possible to start in the GTLM class. That made it considerably easier to derive the GTLM car. The BMW Motorsport engineers have been working closely with the BMW Team RLL – BMW works team in North America since 2009 - in Munich to implement the modifications as efficiently as possible. Unlike the BMW M6 GT3, the BMW M6 GTLM must not have ABS. At 1,250 kg when empty, the BMW M6 GTLM is also about 50 kilograms lighter and has a slightly longer wheelbase.

The dimensions of the wheels and tyres are also different to those on the BMW M6 GT3, as is the tank capacity. The BMW M6 GTLM achieves far faster lap times than the BMW M6 GT3, primarily because of the Michelin tyres specified in the regulations for the GTLM class.

John Baldessari and Cao Fei, the new BMW Art Car artists, at the announcement event for the 18th BMW Art Car at the Guggenheim Museum, New York .

BMW M6 GTLM and M6 GT3 in some early Action in North America

The BMW M6 GTLM  N°25 finished 11th overall and 5th in GTLM Class at 2016 Daytona 24 Hours race while BMW M6 GT3 N°97 finished 19th overall  and 5th in GTD Class.
At 2016 Sebring 12 Hours, BMW M6 GTLM N°25 finished 12th overall and 3rd in GTLM Class while BMW M6 GTLM N°100 finished 16th overall  and 7th in GTLM Class.. In the same race BMW M6 GT3 N° 96 finished 23rd overall  and second in GTD Class while BMW M6 GT3 N° 97 finished 29th overall and 8th in GTD Class.

BMW M6 GT3 and BMW M6 GTLM Technical Data

source: text and illustration BMW Media Archives

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