The BMW 3 Series Grand Turismo – the third model in the BMW 3 Series range – has been revealed ahead of a public debut at the Chicago and Geneva Motor Shows.
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Now, BMW has revealed a little brother for the not exactly super successful 5 Series Grand Turismo, in the guise of the new BMW 3 Series GT, a slightly ungainly looking 3 Series that’s almost as big as a 5 Series and will cost around £3,000 more than the 3 Series saloon.
Stretched by 110mm in the wheelbase from the 3 Series Touring – and a full 200mm longer – the 3 Series GT will, say BMW, offer the dynamics of the saloon with the practicality of the Touring. Although in our experience the regular 3 Series Touring is just about as dynamic as the 3 Series saloon already.
Looking like a 3 Series that went to the gym and didn’t have a balanced programme, the 3 Series GT does get a chunk of changes from the regular 3 Series to achieve its distinctive style including new bumpers, new tail lights, a new bonnet and doors and an active back wing that pos up over 68mph (just so plod won’t know you’re going over 70mph) and drops when you go below 43mph.
The interior has been titivated and the extra size of the 3 Series GT allows a higher driving position and more room in the back.
Engine options will be the usual fare, with the 318d (141bhp) and 32d (181bhp) diesels and the 320i (181bhp), 328i (242bhp) and 335i (302bhp) on offer at launch with a six-speed manual as standard or 8-speed auto option, with a 325d and 3 Series GT xDrive arriving later.
The new BMW 3 Series GT will go on sale in the UK in the summer, starting from £28,830 for the 320i Gran Turismo and rising to £38,470 for the top of the range 335i Grand Turismo.
We love the 3 Series – saloon and Touring – but will anyone want to pay £3k more for the ungainly looking 3 Series GT?
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