cars news 10: 2016 BMW M4 GTS is the Official Safety Car for 2016 DTM Season

The new BMW M4 GTS has been selected to serve as the 2016 DTM safety car, taking the spot of last year’s safety car, the Mercedes-AMG GT S.

Not surprisingly, BMW won’t have to do too much to prepare the M4 GTS for safety car duty since the special M model was developed and built specifically for track duty. As previously reported, the 2016 BMW M4 GTS makes 493 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from its 3.0-liter twin-turbo, water-injected I-6 (49 hp and 37 lb-ft more than the normal M4). Combine that with a revised suspension system and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and the M4 GTS should have no issue keeping a decent pace for the pack of DTM racers.

The M4 GTS is already equipped with the necessary safety modifications. The rear seats were pulled to make room for a roll bar, while a 6-point seat harness and a fire extinguisher are also included. That said, the most notable changes for DTM duty include an LED light system, decals, and a communications radio.

The 2016 DTM season kicks off on May 6 at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany. Another M car has already been serving safety car duty for another racing series. BMW announced earlier this year that the M2 was selected to lead the safety fleet for the 2016 Moto GP season, which kicked off last month.

Source: BMW