BMW 3 Series GT from $69,500

BMW Australia has announced pricing and specifications for its new 3 Series Gran Turismo ahead of its official release next month, including a starting price of $69,500 plus on-road costs for the entry-level 320i GT.

That represents a $6900 premium over the 320i Touring ($62,600) and a hefty $10,900 price hike over the 320i sedan ($58,600), although BMW’s second Gran Turismo model after the 5 Series GT offers a longer wheelbase, more interior space with a ‘command’ seating position and different equipment levels.

Claimed to combine the driving dynamics of the 3 Series sedan with a more flexible cabin, the unique-in-segment 3 GT can swallow a sizeable 520 litres of cargo behind the rear seats and a total of 1500 litres, via a standard power-operated tailgate.

This is thanks to a wheelbase that’s 110mm longer than the 3 Series sedan upon which it’s based, and a larger five-door hatchback bodystyle that 200mm longer, 81mm taller and features a coupe-like roofline and frameless door windows.

Also standard in the five-seat 3 GT is a 40/20/40-split rear seatback with angle adjustment, a two-part rear shelf that can be stowed in the cargo floor when not in use, dividable underfloor storage and an adaptable cargo fixing system.

“The 3 Series Gran Turismo breaks the convention of traditional automotive concepts and provides customers with an option that doesn’t compromise on comfort, functionality or dynamics,” said BMW Group Australia Managing Director Phil Horton.

Three engine variants will be available in Australia, all matched as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The base 320i’s TwinPower turbo four-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine produces 135kW/270Nm, while the 320d GT’s four-cylinder diesel engine offers 135kW/380Nm. Both 2.0-litre GT’s are claimed to sprint to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds, but while the 320i comes with a 6.2L/100km combined fuel consumption figure the 320d is claimed to sip just 4.9L/100km.

The latter costs $71,800 (also making it almost $11,000 more expensive than the equivalent 3 Series sedan), while at the top of the 3 GT range is the 328i at $76,500 -- $10,600 more than the 328i sedan ($65,900) and $6600 more than the 328i Touring ($69,900).

The 328i GT’s high-output 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine offers 180kW/350Nm, accelerating it to 100km/h in a claimed 6.1 seconds while being able to return average fuel consumption of 6.5L/100km.

All 3 Series GT models come standard with fuel-saving idle-stop, brake energy regeneration and ECO PRO modes, plus aerodynamic measures such as flat underbody panelling, front apron air curtains and new “air breathers” behind the front wheels, resulting in a slippery 0.29Cd drag coefficient.

There is also a standard active rear spoiler, which rises at speeds above 110km/h to reduce lift and lowers again once the car drops below 70km/h, and of course there are on-demand ancillaries such as electric power steering.

Standard safety equipment across the board includes stability/traction control, an active accident preparation system, six airbags, dynamic brake lights, a reversing camera, anti-dazzle interior mirror, run-flat tyres and automatic wipers and headlights.

In addition, there’s heat-resistant glass, dual-zone climate-control, Dakota  leather upholstery, a leather-clad multi-function steering wheel and powered front seats with memory function.

The 320i and 320d receive a business navigation system including 6.5-inch display with iDrive controller, six programmable memory buttons and USB audio interface, while the 328i flagship gains electric lumbar support adjustment, professional navigation with an 8.8-inch high-resolution colour display, DVD drive, 3D map, bird’s eye view, 20GB hard drive, Internet functionality, extended Bluetooth functions including audio streaming and a nine speaker HiFi system.

One of three 3 Series ‘Lines’ will be offered as standard too, with Modern, Luxury and Sports offering unique interior and exterior trims, upholstery colours and design elements, while M adaptive suspension, variable sports steering, sport seats and Harman/Kardon sound are available as individual options.

Also on the extensive options list are safety technologies like a head-up display, surround view, lane change and lane departure warning, and adaptive bi-xenon headlights with high-beam assist.

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