BMW confirms 3 GT and 4 Series

BMW Australia boss Phil Horton has confirmed the local release of a five-door GT version of 3 Series and that the replacement for the existing 3 Series coupe and cabriolet models will wear a 4 Series badge.

The 'matter of fact' confirmation came as part of the BMW Group Australia Managing Director's presentation at this week's launch of the 7 Series mid-life update in Melbourne.

In discussing the company's plans for 2013, Mr Horton stated: "We will be expanding the [BMW passenger car] range again [in 2013]... Not only with the 3 Series... Touring, which is very much due to launch imminently, but we also have the 3 Series - which will now, of course, become 4 Series - coupe coming in the second half of next year."

To date BMW sources have been careful to categorise the two-door derivatives of the F30 3 Series sedan launched earlier this year as "the replacement for the 3 Series coupe and cabriolet". They have studiously avoided using the 4 Series label.

Mr Horton's reference is the first confirmation of the nameplate locally.

Equally, he cleared any doubt that the GT variant soon to be cloned from the Chinese-market long-wheelbase version of the F30 platform will stay badged as a 3. Like the 5 Series, the hatchback version will wear the 'GT' badge.

"And I'm sure many of you know we have a new derivative [to be launched] in the 3 Series range. For the first time ever, we will be introducing a new model called the 3 Series GT, which will be a five-door version of the 3 Series... About mid-year as well," he stated.

Motoring.com.au covered BMW Australia’s comprehensive new-model rollout between now and 2015 here.