BMW coupe gets a racy new treatment

This daring new coupe, built to order in Germany, has a host of track-inspired upgrades. Photo / Supplied

This tangerine dream machine is the BMW M3 GTS - a hardcore, track-inspired flagship that takes the coupe into new territory with an uprated V8 engine, and a price tag upwards of $240,000.

But don't expect it to be seen on the streets of New Zealand, because it's being made to order in Germany only as a left-hand driver.

Like Porsche's 911 GT3 RS, it's aimed at owners who like to occasionally take their car to racing circuits.

The GTS will certainly be at home on the track - much of the testing was done on the tortuous Nurburgring circuit.

Under the bonnet lies a 4.4-litre V8, which is based on the 4-litre unit found in the standard M3. The six-speed manual transmission is swapped for a twin-clutch seven-speed M-DCT system, which boasts tweaked shifts.

The chassis also gets a host of upgrades, including new springs and dampers (the rear-axle support is bolted into place for extra rigidity), while new 19-inch alloys get 255/35 front and 285/30 rear tyres.

A huge rear wing and a larger front splitter produces actual downforce that enhances aerodynamics. Both are adjustable.

Weight-saving measures go as far including lightweight racing seats, a new titanium exhaust, the removal of the air-conditioning system and the rear seats. In their place is a roll cage (for added body stiffness and safety on the track) and a fire extinguisher.