True to the motto of driving pleasure above all else, BMW has created another masterpiece for speed demons

Essential hit the track at Estoril race course to test the new M4 GTS, the fastest BMW of all time. With the same six-cylinder, 3-litre engine as the M4, the GTS features new electronic programming and an innovative water injection ­cooling ­system, which brings output levels up from 431 to 500 horsepower. Beyond that the German engineers have introduced a range of solutions brought off the racetrack: carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fibre bucket seats, six point harness, roll-bar, adjustable carbon fibre rear wing and M ­suspension, equally adjustable.

Eighty kg were removed from the total weight of the standard version for even better performance, with impressive results: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with the help of the seven-speed double clutch transmission. The interior in Alcantara, the exclusive star-spoke alloys and a host of other items in carbon fibre contribute to the creation of one of the most special BMWs of all time and an instant classic for fans of the Bavarian brand. Any of them able to get their hands  on one of the 700 units allocated for global production will certainly be happy.