SPY PICS: BMW 3 Series GT facelift spotted

It probably hasn't been front-of-mind with most local BMWphiles, but the recent facelift to the 3 Series range will belatedly influence the hatchback Gran Turismo as well.

Like other members of the 3 Series range, the visual differences will be subtle, confined to elements of the front and rear ends of the car. LED headlights, for example, are expected to find their way onto the GT for the first time and, if these spy photos (spy pics of the facelifted 3 Series GT have been circulating since late 2015) are any guide, some minor work will be done to the tail light clusters, which are expected to incorporate LED, as well.

According to some sources, the interior will receive minimal attention, with some refinements to the control interface as well as a sliding cover for the cup holders in the centre console.

Mechanical changes are expected to include a suspension rework as already seen in the 3 Series sedans and, in some markets anyway, a revision to the engine line-up with more power from petrol and diesel engines.

It's expected the local engine range will follow the existing line-up that includes 320d and 320i versions. It's a reasonable assumption the 328i will give way to 330i, as is predicted for Europe. But it won't be known for certain until the car's local launch, which is anticipated to fall some time in the second half of this year. It seems unlikely the product planners at BMW Australia will offer the GT with the three-cylinder engines now available elsewhere in the 3 Series range.

Why would they, when the 3 Series GT is a low-key presence in the BMW line-up? In 2015, only 238 (against 317 in 2014) of the 7163 total 3 and 4 Series BMWs sold were GTs.