Ever walked into a paddock or loaded up a sim like iRacing and felt a bit lost looking at the grid? You're not alone. The GT4 car list is weirdly diverse. One minute you’re staring at a mid-engine exotic like the McLaren Artura, and the next, you’re looking at a chunky Ford Mustang that looks like it belongs at a Saturday morning Cars and Coffee.
But that's the beauty of it. Honestly, it's the most "relatable" class in modern motorsport because these things actually look like the cars we buy.
Why the GT4 Car List is So Competitive Right Now
Back in 2007, when the SRO Motorsports Group first cooked up the GT4 concept, it was basically the "budget" alternative to GT3. People thought it would just be a handful of modified track day toys. Fast forward to 2026, and it's a global powerhouse.
Manufacturers love it because it’s a "customer racing" dream. You don't need a factory budget of ten million dollars to be competitive. You just need a solid car, a decent set of tools, and a driver who doesn't bin it in every hairpin.
The variety is actually wild. You’ve got front-engine, mid-engine, and rear-engine layouts all fighting for the same piece of tarmac.
The Heavy Hitters: 2026 GT4 Car List Essentials
If you're looking at the current 2026 season—whether it's the GT4 European Series or Pirelli GT4 America—there are a few names that absolutely dominate the entry lists.
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The German Trio
Basically, you can't have a GT4 race without BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes.
The BMW M4 GT4 (G82) is currently the straight-line king. It's got that massive S58 twin-turbo inline-six that just pulls and pulls. If you’re racing at a track like Monza or Sebring, this is usually the car to beat. It's a bit of a boat in the tight stuff, but it handles curbs like they aren't even there.
Then you have the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. This is the one most purists drool over. It uses the 4.0-liter flat-six pulled straight out of the 911 GT3. It revs to 9,000 RPM. It sounds like a buzzsaw in a library. Because it's mid-engined, it is incredibly nimble. You can place it on a dime, but be careful—it’s not as forgiving as the BMW if you overstep the limit.
The Mercedes-AMG GT4 is sort of the middle ground. It's got a thumping 4.0-liter V8. It's front-engine, so it’s naturally stable and great for "gentleman drivers" who might be a bit nervous about a mid-engine car snapping on them.
The British Connection
McLaren and Aston Martin bring a certain "supercar" vibe to the GT4 car list.
The McLaren Artura GT4 replaced the old 570S and it’s a total weapon. It ditched the heavy hybrid system from the road car to stay within the rules, resulting in a chassis that is remarkably light. It’s arguably the most "race car" feeling vehicle in the class.
The Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 Evo is the gentleman’s choice. It’s beautiful, loud, and surprisingly easy to drive. The 2024-2025 "Evo" updates really helped its cooling and aero, making it much more competitive in longer endurance stints.
The Outsiders and Cult Favorites
Not everything is a Porsche or a BMW. Some of the coolest cars on the list are the ones you see less often.
- Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2: This car has become a massive success in both Europe and Japan. It's basically a BMW engine in a Toyota-developed chassis, and it works brilliantly.
- Nissan Z NISMO GT4: A relatively new addition that has brought the iconic "Z" badge back to the global stage. It's a bit of a cult favorite in the States.
- Ford Mustang GT4 (S650): The ultimate muscle car. It’s big, it’s loud, and it uses a 5.0-liter Coyote-based V8 that makes it a fan favorite at every track it visits.
- Lotus Emira GT4: It’s rare to see a huge field of these, but they are stunningly fast on technical tracks where weight and balance matter more than raw horsepower.
Dealing with the BoP (Balance of Performance)
One thing people often get wrong about the GT4 car list is thinking that one car is objectively "the best." It doesn't work like that.
SRO (the guys who run the show) use something called Balance of Performance. They literally add weight or restrict the engine power of the fast cars to make sure the "slower" ones can keep up.
One weekend the Porsche is winning everything. The next weekend, the officials decide it's too fast and give it a 30kg weight penalty. Suddenly, the Mustang is on pole. It keeps the racing close, but it drives engineers absolutely crazy.
Key Specifications Comparison (Approximate)
| Car Model | Engine Type | Layout | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M4 GT4 | 3.0L Twin-Turbo I6 | Front-Engine | Straight-line speed & Curbs |
| Porsche 718 GT4 RS | 4.0L Natural Aspirated F6 | Mid-Engine | Cornering & Braking |
| Aston Martin Vantage | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 | Front-Engine | Stability & Torque |
| McLaren Artura GT4 | 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 | Mid-Engine | Aerodynamics & Weight |
| Toyota GR Supra | 3.0L Twin-Turbo I6 | Front-Engine | Balanced Performance |
How to Get Involved in GT4 Racing
If you’re reading this, you’re probably either a sim racer or a hardcore fan.
For sim racers, the GT4 car list in Assetto Corsa Competizione is the gold standard. It’s the official game of the SRO, so the physics are about as close as you can get without spending $200k on a real seat.
If you're a fan, check out the "GT World" YouTube channel. They livestream almost every GT4 race globally for free. It’s some of the best racing on the planet because the cars are robust enough to handle a little "rubbing," which, as they say, is racing.
Actionable Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Watch a Full Race: Go to YouTube and search for the "2025 Spa 12 Hours GT4" or any "GT4 America" sprint. Pay attention to how the mid-engine cars (McLaren/Porsche) gain time in the sectors with tight turns, while the front-engine cars (BMW/Ford) blast past them on the straights.
- Compare Sim Versions: If you play iRacing or ACC, try the BMW and the Porsche back-to-back at a track like Watkins Glen. You’ll immediately feel why the "list" matters—they require completely different driving styles.
- Track the Homologation: Keep an eye on the RACB (Royal Automobile Club Belgium) or SRO official sites for new "Evo" kits. Most manufacturers release an update every 2-3 years to keep their cars competitive on the global GT4 car list.
The class isn't going anywhere. In fact, with GT3 costs skyrocketing, GT4 is becoming the true heart of sports car racing. It's accessible, it's loud, and the cars are actually recognizable. What's not to love?