Article: Introducing the BMW Z4 GTE for the 2013 ALMS season, BMW goes with a 4.4 liter V8 - Press release and pictures

[DavidV]

The base of this car is the Z4 GT3. Not a bad car to start with.
This car was the modified by BMW Motorsport due to the ACO requirements to take part in the ALMS.
So ABS, and DSC were torn out, the bodywork was slightly adapted and the weight was set to the required 1245kg.
The engine power is limited by a mandatory restrictor to 480hp/480Nm.
Car is 4395mm long (without the wing), 2010 mm wide and 1205mm high and looks like a BEAST.

[Autobahn335i]

Badass!!

[Sticky]

They went with a 4.4 liter...

[Sticky]

Well here is BMW's new race car that is bending the ALMS rules (considering BMW does not sell a Z4 M) the Z4 GTE. If it was not enough for BMW to get away with racing the Z4 without homologation they also increased the displacement to the M3 GTS 4.4 liter spec from the 4.0 liter displacement which last years M3 raced with. Hey, if you are going to bend the rules might as well go all the way with it right?

The engine is limited to 480 horsepower due to air restrictions for the class but the added displacement should prove valuable thanks to the additional torque. Compared to the 2012 ALMS M3 the Z4 is more compact and aerodynamic. Weight is capped at 2744.6 pounds.

Full press release and pictures below, BMW is going to be a force in ALMS GT in 2013:

Daytona (US), 12th February 2013. BMW is embarking on a new chapter of its motorsport commitment in North America: after four successful years with the BMW M3 GT, the new BMW Z4 GTE will take over at the head of the manufacturer’s campaign in the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS). On Tuesday, BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL presented the car and drivers for the new season at the “Daytona International Speedway” (US).

Supported by Premium Partner Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, guests from around the world were given the opportunity to inspect the BMW Z4 GTE at close hand, talk to those responsible for the team, and experience the iconic racetrack in Florida from the cockpit, courtesy of taxi rides with the BMW ALMS drivers.

“As we approach the start of the ALMS season in mid-March, so the anticipation is gradually rising,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “All of us at BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL are very curious to see how the first few races pan out with the new BMW Z4 GTE. We are setting out on a development year, but are very confident we have once again developed a car that has the potential to win races and titles in the form of the BMW Z4 GTE. Seeing our drivers at this event, you could tell how much they are looking forward to the first race in Sebring. I would also like to say a big thank you to our Premium Partner Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts for its fantastic support here in Daytona.”

Team Principal Bobby Rahal added: “Obviously I am very excited to enter this new year with the BMW Z4 GTE. There is a lot of enthusiasm in the team for the new car. Certainly there will be a development period involved but ultimately I see no reason why we can’t be competitive with the great competition that exists in the GT category in the ALMS. Although this might be a development year in many respects, the level of driver talent we have on the team – including the two new exciting additions with Maxime Martin and John Edwards – I think that ultimately we can have success and do much as we did in 2009, the first year of the BMW M3 GT, and work hard toward achieving maximum results in its first year. One aspect of the launch that is very exciting is not just the introduction of the BMW Z4 GTE and our drivers, but also the collection of historic cars that were the cars that began the success story of BMW in North American racing.”

The guests had travelled to Orlando (US) on Monday, and were welcomed that evening at a dinner in the Crowne Plaza Universal Orlando by Jens Marquardt, Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America, BMW Team RLL Team Principal Bobby Rahal and BMW NA Motorsport Manager Gordon McDonnell. On Tuesday, the ALMS drivers took them on a series of taxi rides in historic BMW racing cars. This was followed by the unveiling of the BMW Z4 GTE.

BMW Motorsport also announced the driving pairs for the coming season. Car number 55 will be driven by Bill Auberlen (US) and ALMS rookie Maxime Martin (BE). Dirk Müller (DE) will contest all the races in the number 56 car. Joey Hand (US) and John Edwards (US) will alternate as the two-time ALMS GT champion’s driving partner. Edwards will stand in for Hand when he is unavailable due to his parallel commitment in the DTM. Jörg Müller (DE, #55) and Uwe Alzen (DE, #56) will bolster the squad at the endurance races at Sebring (US) and Road Atlanta (US).

The BMW Z4 GTE will contest its first season in 2013. In July 2012, BMW Motorsport engineers in Munich (DE) began work on developing a GTE version of the BMW Z4 GT3, which would comply with ACO regulations. The BMW Z4 GT3 itself has enjoyed many years of success in high-class GT series around the world. The regulations stipulate that electronic aids that may be used on the BMW Z4 GT3, such as ABS and DSC, are not permitted on a GTE car.

The BMW Z4 GTE is considerably more compact than its successful predecessor, the BMW M3 GT. All the dimensions of the BMW Z4 GTE have been modified to comply with ACO regulations. The new car took to the racetrack for its maiden test outing in the second half of January. BMW Team RLL was integrated in the process throughout the entire development period. Engineers from the USA travelled to Munich in December to play their part in the assembly of the BMW Z4 GTE.

The car is not the only important new thing BMW Team RLL can look forward to in the coming season: Michelin is the new Tyre Partner of BMW Motorsport in the ALMS. In contrast, Premium Partner Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is something of a constant. The successful cooperation will continue in 2013. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts belongs to the InterContinental Hotels Group. IHG maintains, runs and owns over 4,400 hotels and more than 658,000 rooms in approaching 100 countries.


Technical Specifications BMW Z4 GT3.

Length: 4,395mm (excl. rear wing)
Width: 2,010mm
Height: 1,205mm (depending on set-up)
Weight: 1,245kg (according to ACO regulations)
Tank capacity: 110 litres (according to IMSA classification)
Chassis/body: Steel body with welded safety cell

Transmission: six-speed sequential sport transmission, operated via shifting paddles mounted on the steering wheel, multiple ZF Sachs clutch

Front axle: McPherson axle with pushrods and wishbone, additionally with adjustable shock absorbers, H&R coil springs

Rear axle: Longitudinal links with wishbone, adjustable shock absorbers, H&R coil springs

Brake system: hydraulic dual circuit brake; monobloc multi-piston light alloy brake callipers, innver-vented steel brake discs, seamless brake balance adjustment (front and rear) by the driver

Wheels: BBS forged aluminum wheels, front axle: 12,5x18“, rear axle: 13x18“)

Tyres: Michelin, front axle: 300-680-18, rear axle: 310-710-18

Engine type: Eight-cylinder, V-configuration, four valves per cylindre, mandatory air restrictor (2x29.4mm)

Capacity: 4,400cc
Max. output: approx. 480bhp (with mandatory air restrictor)
Max. torque: approx. 480Nm
Cylinder block: Aluminum cylinder block construction

Engine management: BMW Motorsport ECU 408, without fuses, central display

[Itsbrokeagain]

Whos the dude with the bushy eyebrows in the last pic? I didnt know he still commanded BMW Motorsports team...he got them to victory with the M3s back at the 24hrs of Nurburgring back in 2010 I believe?

[leo985i]

Now give us a Z4 ///M with 4.4litre S65!!!!! Price it over 100k, whocares, just bring it!!! lol who am I kidding? BMW buncha pussies now. Guess, wel'll never see such a car.

[M3_WC]

So many waivers to let BMW run this car. Those first couple pics with two street Z4's behind the GTE is such false advertising.

[Brey335i]

I don't know why BMW doesn't sell a Z4M anymore. That car looks so amazing with slightly wider flares and a fixed roof. It's begging for the M treatment. I guess SUVs and non-M motors qualify as M these days but a RWD small sports car doesn't?

[leo985i]

Shameless advertising...

[M3_WC]

Shameless advertising...

I applaud the other manufacturers for following the spirit of the homologation rules.

[Sticky]

I applaud the other manufacturers for following the spirit of the homologation rules.

Same here and they even continue to race despite BMW's bull$#@!.

[Steve B. CBR]

This is literally one of the most beautiful race cars designed in the last few decades. Very beautiful race car.

[partlowr]

That is one bad ass Z4. I was in Las Vegas last month at the CES show and they had one of these GTE's on display but it was not the car in the photo. I have been thinking about trading in the E85 for an E89, I wish someone would come up with a body kit that resembled this race car.

[bigdaddycane]

no motor pics!!! dammit

[Sticky]

no motor pics!!! dammit

Not too much to see won't look much different than this:

[PEI330Ci]

Just wondering if anyone else was shocked by Joey Hand and John Edwards working together. John initiated Joey Hand's spectacular crash in 2006 at Mid-Ohio....

[DFM]

Just about every piece of automotive news involving BMW results in me being displeased with the way they are running their company. About to loose all faith

[Sticky]

Just about every piece of automotive news involving BMW results in me being displeased with the way they are running their company. About to loose all faith

So over BMW...

[DavidV]

Badass!!

Sorry Autobahn335i, my clumsy fingers on the phone gave you a neg rep somehow.
I'll correct this.

[Autobahn335i]

Sorry Autobahn335i, my clumsy fingers on the phone gave you a neg rep somehow.
I'll correct this.

No problemo

[DavidV]

Corrected. Just spreaded some of the wealth over the forum