2014 BMW 3 Series GT: Review

  • May 14, 2014
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We drive BMW's new 3 Series GT to see if it makes sense in a country like India

BMW 3 Series GT Review tracking

Has one actually wondered what the average middle aged or slightly mature Indian luxury car buyer wants? The kind of person who prefers sitting in the back seat of his usually German (or British) luxury barge while reading the Times of India and listing to a spot of Beethoven or Kishore Kumar on a high quality stereo while sinking comfortably into the leather and wood draped interior. The kind of person for whose priorities like leg space are of far greater importance than 0-100 times, horsepower and rear wheel drive induced oversteer. Most buyers would prefer the popular choices like the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class, (3 Series, A4 and C-Class if you are on a tighter budget). That said, there is a class of people who want something different and unique, a class of people who want to stand out from the norm. These are the kind of people BMW’s new 3 Series GT is meant for.

BMW 3 Series GT Review Front

So what exactly is the 3 Series GT? Well, from the look of things, it is a BMW 3 Series sedan that has been given a different roofline and a notchback boot. The coupe-esque profile of the 3 Series GT combined with a large boot opening usually found on the likes of a station wagon would seem like the ideal recipe for a beautiful yet uncannily practical automobile. Sadly though, just like its bigger predecessor, the 5 GT, there is something just slightly disjointed about the design of the 3 GT. That said, it does a far better job presenting itself and does manage to turn a head or two on the road. The 3 Series GT looks particularly nice when viewed from the front, with its slightly larger grille finished in gloss black and a sporty bumper.

BMW 3 Series GT Review Rear

The 3 Series GT, based on the regular 3 Series platform does employ a few smart tricks to make itself more aerodynamically efficient. There are gills in the front bumper that let air pass through them creating a pressure difference between the front tyre and the wheel arches adding to high speed stability on roads like the Autobahn or our very own expressways. The 3 Series GT is also the first BMW that employs an electronic spoiler on the tailgate, which can be operated through a button next to the driver’s seat. Another thing that did impress us were the 18-inch wheels that came on the press demonstrator. Not only are they a treat to look at, the overall design also seems to hark back to the multispoke alloy wheels found on the likes of the BMW 635CSi of the early 80’s. The 18-inch wheels though still manage to look small, especially on the rear due to the large mass area of the rear quarter panels.

BMW 3 Series GT Review Side
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The 3 Series GT, although based on the 3 Series platform is much bigger than the sedan. Notably, the GT is 200mm longer and 17mm wider and has a 25mm higher ground clearance. The 3 Series GT also has a whopping 110mm longer wheelbase than the 3 Series sedan. The end result of course is a car that is noticeably roomier than the standard sedan. In fact, BMW claims that the 3 Series GT is roomier than a 5 Series, especially in terms of leg and knee space. As we mentioned earlier, the boot is a whole lot bigger too and with the notchback or hatchback like tailgate, access too is a doddle. The rear seats, which fold down with a 60:40 per cent split increase the boot capacity from a large 520 litres to a humongous 1600 litres.

BMW 3 Series GT Review Interior

The interior design too is very typically BMW. A well-carved and soft to the touch dashboard finished in black coupled with a slightly angled and large central console makes the driver feel cocooned and protected. The small and chunky steering wheel lends a feeling of sportiness while the front seats themselves are extremely comfortable. The rear space and comfort though is what the 3 Series GT excels at.

BMW 3 Series GT Review Rear seats

The large and almost bed-like rear bench with a fold down real console that houses a cubbyhole and two cup holders is a treat to be in. As we mentioned earlier, the 3 Series GT is extremely spacious in the back due to its added legroom and the comfortable seats lend themselves perfectly to the fact. The 3 Series GT could have been better with the addition offeatures like a separate climate control unit in the back and optional heated, cooled and massage seats for the front and the back. Afterall, BMW does want the people who buy the 3 GT to go on a real Grand Tour (GT) with one of these.

BMW 3 Series GT Review Engine

The 3 Series GT in India comes with the same motor from the 320d. The 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine makes 184PS of peak power at 4000rpm and 380Nm of peak torque at 1750-2750rpm. As is traditionally expected of a BMW, the 3 Series GT has a rear wheel drive layout coupled with the well sorted 8-speed ZF gearbox. Although we would have liked the 3 Series GT to have come with a set of paddle shifters on the steering wheel, just like the 3 Series sedan they were absent. Although the same basic engine and gearbox as the sedan, the 3 Series GT does have a slight lag in performance. BMW claims a 0-100kmph time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 230kmph on the diesel powered 3 Series GT. What did surprise us is the quiet and almost clinical way the BMW 3 Series GT gains speeds of well over triple digits without making a hue and cry about it.

BMW 3 Series GT Review Tracking rear

 

The 3 Series GT also rides unlike any BMW we have driven recently. The soft and comfortable suspension settings are almost perfect for this large and comfortable luxury car. The soft ride does come at a cost though, a big one! The 3 Series GT is possibly the only BMW that does not feel comfortable at high speeds. Not only is there an abnormally high level of body roll, there is also a noticeable amount of pitch. High speed handling too is slightly uncanny on the 3 Series GT. In short, the 3 Series GT does not handle like a BMW is meant to, even when shifted into the Sport mode. In the city though, where no one really pushes any car to its limit of handling, the BMW 3 Series GT is as comfortable as sinking into your bed after a long and tedious day at work.

  

BMW 3 Series GT Review Badge

The big question: is it worth paying 42.75 lakh for the 3 Series GT where one can get an entry level BMW 5 series for similar money? Well, Yes. The 3 Series GT is comfortable, spacious and does come with a slightly uncommon look. It might not handle like a 3 Series sedan does, but then who really pushes their car to its limit anyways? The 3 Series GT then, just like the 5 GT is the ideal car of choice for someone who wants an unassuming and comfortable way to fulfil his daily commutes. Driving enthusiasts though might want to stick with the 3 Series sedan though as it still offers a more complete driving experience.


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