Now, BMW's responding. For 2016, it will launch a new M6 GT3, returning factory-supported big BMWs to GT racing (after Alpina successfully tested the water with the beefy B6 GT3). The firm's already teased it in wonderful Red Bull-style camo livery, and actually ran it last weekend at the Dingolfing factory test track normally used to assess customer 5, 6 and 7 Series.
Although it's unlikely to race in 2015, BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt is bullish about the car's potential. "We are well on schedule with the development, and are confident we will be able to take to the track in 2016 with a package that is competitive from the outset." It's to use the regular M6 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, has had more than half a tonne of weight taken out of it and boasts bodywork that BMW's honed in its in-house wind tunnel. Potential? Enormous. And finally aligning the marketing message with the calibre of car racing on track.
It's not the only new GT3 car we've seen recently, either. Lamborghini's wonderful Dallara-honed Huracan GT3 looks like a poster star and McLaren's 650S GT3 is also well advanced. Cadillac has engineered the new ATS-V.R to GT3 spec (a run in Blancpain for 2016 seems likely), and Callaway is still targeting 2016 for the debut of the Corvette C7 GT3. We'd also expect Jaguar to finally confirm the F-Type GT3 programme at some point in 2015, prior to a 2016 track debut.
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