BMW has officially announced plans to build a GT4-spec version of the M4. The GT4 racing category is booming at the moment thanks to its (relatively) low costs, fierce competition and large selection of factory-prepped vehicles. Regulations in the GT4 category only allow minor modifications to the base car, meaning that the M4 GT4 will largely be a showroom-based racer. That means power will come from the standard twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six with power sent to the rear wheels. Stock, the M4 produces 431 horsepower.

The power output of the GT4 will either be higher or lower than the stock M4 based on a Balance of Performance equalization adjustment for the series it competes in. Basically, BOP is a way to keep competition healthy by ensuring no one car has a massive advantage. Changes to the GT4 over the standard M4 include go-fast parts such as a carbon fiber hood and doors. A front splitter and rear wing have been added to help keep the car planted to the track. The seats, brakes and pedals have been carried over from the race-proven M6 GT3. Rounding out the package is a custom race exhaust that should help the GT4 sound as mean as it looks.

The GT4 will be eligible for any series that accepts GT4-spec cars. Deliveries to customer teams are expected to begin at the beginning of 2018 in time for the racing season. BMW has not released pricing info as of yet. Hopefully once deliveries start, someone will match the M4 GT4 up against the M4 GTS. We know it's not exactly a pairing of equals, but you can't tell us you wouldn't want to watch these two duke it out on the track.