BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo – the wraps come off

3gt 01

Well, no need to wait for Geneva, save to see the real thing. BMW has released details of the new 3-Series Gran Turismo, of which the first images surfaced yesterday ahead of the official release.

The coupe-style vehicle, following on the proportions and essence set by its 5-Series GT sibling, is 200 mm longer than the Touring 3er, has a 110 mm longer wheelbase and stands 81 mm taller.

Naturally, the interior benefits the most, improving on aspects of space and freedom of movement over the rest of the 3er range. Aside from extra headroom, both front and rear seating position is raised by 59 mm, and the rear compartment gets 70 mm of additional legroom over its sedan and touring stable mates.

3gt 02

As for the boot space, there’s 520 litres on call here, and that’s 25 litres more than the Touring. Key features are a large load aperture and high-opening tailgate, as well as a 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat bench and a two-piece parcel shelf.

An active rear spoiler makes its debut on the car, its job to provide both visual lightness and reduce lift at touring speeds. Wheel sizes start from 17-inches for the baseline specification.

Besides the three equipment lines (Modern, Luxury and Sport), there’s an entry-level – or baseline – version and an optional M Sport package, which becomes available from July.

3gt 04

Three petrol and two diesel engines will be available at point of debut, all TwinPower Turbo units. In terms of petrol variants, the 335i Gran Turismo leads the pack, with its 3.0 litre six-cylinder, followed by the 328i GT and 320i GT.

For the diesels, the 320d GT and 318d GT are the oil burners at launch. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual – as standard in Europe – and an eight-speed automatic, both linked to Auto Start-Stop. As usual, plenty of EfficientDynamics and ConnectedDrive tech on call on this one, from the earlier mentioned Auto Start-Stop right up to HUD.


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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • teamsleepnine on Feb 07, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    in before

    “if it wouldn’t be for proton protection high tax I would have own one but instead I’m stuck with a proton”

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 4
    • kadajawi on Feb 08, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      Proton is subjected to the same ridiculous high taxes as other car makers are that produce in the ASEAN region. These protection laws are protection laws… for the pockets of the government.

      Also, a Preve costs less than 40k to produce, after taxes 70k. This BMW, without taxes, would be at least around 120-160k. In the entry level spec where rather than having an engine you have a little hamster spinning a wheel, and where you’ll be glad to have 4 seats and an aircon.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • BMW Fanboi on Feb 07, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    This is a better car than Preve

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 7
    • jolly_idiot on Feb 08, 2013 at 8:55 am

      Haha. As I said. Bmw fanboy wanted a bmw but ended with a preve. He now started to wake up that many others are better than preve.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • vodevil on Feb 07, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    aaaaaaaaargh!!!

    my EYES!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
  • F30 Rust Line on Feb 07, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    the front seems like to back E90 era?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • Fariq Halim on Feb 07, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    It seems that BMW had followed Protons footsteps in creating the aeroback models for its line up. whats next 7 series aeroback?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 8
  • vee-oh on Feb 07, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    wow ugly car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 13
  • sudonano on Feb 07, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    I guess they learnt from the 5 series GT. Good job. It looks nice.320 and 328i and the 320d might sell well here if it is priced right!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
  • any rusty seats, like in the F30?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
  • is it just me or this one looks like a gen.2

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • what an awful car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • VW Fanboi on Feb 08, 2013 at 8:10 am

    Why all BMW new model look so refreshing, not like Audi damn boring look.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • the driver on Feb 08, 2013 at 9:11 am

    Why? The 5 Series GT version sold very poorly and now a 3 series version? Not smart at all BMW.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • the only advantage the gt have over the saloon & estate is bigger rear legroom. in term of styling, it looks kinda out of proportion especially viewed from the side. almost looks like a shooting brake design which will always have its fair share of fans & critics. just my two cents

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • i’ll like to say its fugly…but i think its more appropriate to say it in full “f**king ugly”.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • kadajawi on Feb 08, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    Uhm, I’ll have the estate, thanks. This thing just looks deformed (though the front end looks nice… couldn’t they give it to the 6 series, which is ruined by its front end?). It’s not like the estate lacks space, is it? This one has a bit more, but at the sacrifice of looks (besides it will probably be more expensive too).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • PauKaya on Feb 09, 2013 at 12:07 am

    i blame the china and india market for this. (china and india market loves 5 series gt, bloody emerging giants)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Actually I quite like it. Not because of the look but the roomy rear seat and cargo space.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • niterunner99 on Feb 13, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    honestly i like BMers…but my goodness, if X1 isn’t ugly enough, this takes the cake!
    i’ll buy a 3 series anytime over this!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • niterunner99 on Feb 13, 2013 at 9:20 pm

    i like BMW…but this is ugly! i’ll take a normal 3 series anytime!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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