BMW hides the phrase Gran Turismo under the GT label, or a derivative of the Grand Tourer, which in the car dictionary represents a high-style touring sedan. In other words - Grand Touring. The BMW 3 GT is just that.
Confused? Nothing serious. BMW 3 GT we drove it on the roads of Eastern Europe and tested it for you on a business trip. We were followed by long stretches of highways, narrow city streets and long avenues of business districts. Quite in keeping with his tradition and the tradition of grand touring – travel limousines with style.
Exterior - a jump to another class
BMW 3 GT differs from the classic 3 Series sedan with a completely different appearance. At first glance, the car does not show points in common with the 3 series, but instead reaches a higher class. The test car didn't have the classic badge on the back, so I couldn't avoid it during a random conversation with my neighbor a small quiz about the "number" of the test car. Was surprised by the information that it was only "arranged" series 3, which bears the label GT.
GT compared to the station wagon version of the 3 Series, it is longer by 20 centimeters. This sounds a lot and, because he also grew in height for the good ones 8 centimeters and something a little wider, it's a completely different story. Raised lateral line and aerodynamic details and design approaches, such as windows without metal frames, different door handles, higher sides. It will definitely appeal to those who flirt with smaller off-road vehicles, because at times strongly reminds on a large SUV X6, and even more so on the upcoming model BMW X4. It knows how to use xDrive four-wheel drive BMW 3 GT even approaching the rural utility value of such vehicles.
BMW with the third body version of the 3 series, it clearly shows its intention to conquer the fastest growing Chinese market and intervene in the segment of potential competitors such as Audi A5 Sportback. However, they seem to be up to the task BMW done with flying colours, as the car fills its segment extremely well and proves that it is the GT formula can be very successful. The larger BMW 5 GT was no match for this, which was clearly demonstrated by the weak sales figures of this model. He resolutely corrects this mistake series 3 GT, which has positioned itself perfectly in its market group.
Interior – interesting spaciousness
BMW 3 GT inside, it differs from the 3 series only in some minor details.
Otherwise, it is a familiar interior and elements that are shared by practically all representatives of this manufacturer. The surprise is mainly the difference in the feeling of space compared to the classic one series 3. This is especially pronounced on the back bench, where due to the increased wheelbase eleven centimeters there is none of the cramped feeling that can be attributed to the classic 3 Series. By far the largest is the luggage compartment of the 3 Series, which is for 25 liters bigger from the wagon version and amounts to good 520 liters. It should be emphasized that these liters are not as practical as in the touring, since the falling rear window reduces the functionality of the luggage compartment itself. All are equipped with electronic closing and opening of the luggage compartment. Candy when it matches the tag grand tourer.
On the go – No stress
In the nose of the test GT breathaly the most logical choice for this type of vehicle - BMW-his engine with a tag 320 d. An old familiar with tests needs no special introduction. From 0 to 100 km/h it will drive you into bad times 8 seconds. Its acceleration will stop at 230 km/h terminal velocities. It hides under the bonnet 184 horses, respectively 135 kW. It is perfectly sufficient to drive it too fast many times. An extremely balanced and predictable chassis will force you to do this. The latter enables the setting of various driving modes, which in connection with the modern 8-speed automatic sports transmission the last generations conjure extraordinary a range of great sensations while driving.
On our way we drove more than 2000 kilometers, most of them on highways, where this car feels at home. After the initial adaptation to the working environment, you definitely reach a high level of symbiosis with the car. At first, the automatic system headlight beam adjustment I didn't trust too much. Later, it becomes an indispensable element for long night drives. At first, the doubt about this technological sensor and the fear of the possible anger of other road users are unnecessary, because there was no disapproval in about 1000 night kilometers at the expense of high beams. System at the right moment it detects the vehicle in front of you and adjusts the headlight beam to the appropriate height so that it is not distracting. If we also consider cruise control, which has an integrated braking function on the steering wheel button, makes everything even more comfortable. Thus, you can control the vehicle to a certain extent using the buttons on the steering wheel, which is useful on long straights and when adjusting the speed in a convoy.
Once you stop and it is necessary to park the car, the reversing camera with function helps you with this "Top View". You literally see the car from a bird's eye view, which is helped by three wide-angle cameras that cover a 360-degree angle. Getting used to this aid is extremely easy and you completely trust the function after just a few tries. Definitely a recommended addition to the list of accessories, because the rear of the car is exceptional due to its shape impenetrable.
Long stages also require the car to visit a gas station. At 3 GT data on real fuel consumption do not deviate excessively from the information on paper. He spent on the highway 5.7 liters of diesel, in the city regime of a few days, there is consumption barely exceeded 6.7 liters. Of course, you can raise the consumption above 7 liters, but only in the country where the legislation allows you to test the maximum speed of the vehicle and you will drive your GT to its limits. Then the thrifty 320d won't be so thrifty anymore.
Driving dynamics is excellent and the chassis in harmony with the body. There is also a bit more side lean due to the height, but it's minor. BMW engineers have appropriately taken care of the same level of driving dynamics as in the classic 3. They serve GT for this purpose aerodynamic accessories on the side, front bumper and rear spoiler, which compress the car against the ground at higher speeds and thus provide good sensations.
The car performs exceptionally well on a long journey, even at the expense of a longer wheelbase. Thus, even a 6-hour drive and then a series of meetings should not be a problem for a businessman. The seats are comfortable, but we missed the adjustment of the lumbar area in the test version. But these are the little things that are not so important anymore.
GT – a car that leaves a different impression
If you won't leave a special impression with the usual 3 series, for Mrhurt tourism they turn heads. The test car didn't have any markings on the rear, which confused people and they didn't assign the number 3 to the car. Gran Tursimo it is more expensive than the regular sedan version (320i comparison) for the poor 3,150 euros, and it is only around 1,500 euros. With this value addition, you will enter a different class with the 3 GT, definitely one number higher than the one written.
View the gallery - BMW 3 GT
Promotional video – BMW 3 GT
Admission price: 37,700 euros
Price of the test vehicle: 58,437 euros
More information about the vehicle: BMW 3 GT
We praise:
– An interesting vehicle design that puts the 3 GT in a higher class
– Excellent driving characteristics
– Appropriate and realistic consumption of the 320d engine
– A reasonably priced entry-level model that is not excessively more expensive than the classic 3 Series
