A larger, more practical variant of the 3 Series, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo has roomier back seats. Sadly, it is more expensive and not quite as economical.
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Here is why the BMW 3-Series GT is being discontinued.
Over the past ten years, BMW has addressed market gaps that few people were aware existed. Now it is removing one. The BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo won’t be renewed after the current generation, according to Harald Kruger, chairman of the board of management at BMW AG.
Along with the rest of the 3-Series lineup, the 3-Series GT made its debut in 2013 for the 2014 model year with the intention of providing a slightly roomier four-door hatchback sedan bodystyle. The GT was 7.9 inches longer overall and had a wheelbase that was 4.3 inches longer than the sedan’s. The seats were positioned a few inches higher and the car also sat a little higher than the sedan. Oddly enough, the 3-Series GT provided just 1 cubic foot more cargo space than the sedan when the back seats were folded down, despite being very large with them up.
Why will there no longer be a 3-Series GT? It appears that BMW’s cost-cutting initiative, which would benefit from a smaller variety of models on the production lines, is the real culprit rather than consumer demand. In order to provide customers with a more adaptable variant if necessary, BMW continues to provide a station wagon version of the 3-Series. However, the move may portend a shift in BMW’s priorities toward a more cost-effective, streamlined model lineup rather than dozens of specialty models. In the upcoming years, BMW will undoubtedly offer fewer engine options; this is possibly more significant news than the elimination of the 3-Series GT.
The opportunity to purchase a 3-Series GT is running out because the present model doesn’t have much time left on the market, but other GT models, such as the 6-Series GT, formerly known as the 5-Series GT, are not in danger of disappearing: The 2020 3-Series sedan was unveiled by BMW at the Paris Auto Show in 2017 and began on sale in Europe in March of this year. The 3-Series GT doesn’t spend much time on dealer lots as a result.
Ramey, Jay
For his own personal use, Jay Ramey has been drawn to the more adventurous end of the reliability spectrum because he spent his childhood around really unusual European cars.
BMW’s Balloon-Backed 3 Series GT in action
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The 335i GT is the most recent model of BMW’s hugely popular 3 Series. Although GT stands for Gran Turismo, it might also refer to a large trunk in this instance because the 335i is a hatchback—hide the kids, people!
What are commonly referred to as five door vehicles, which feature four doors plus a rear liftgate, have never been particularly popular in America. However, that hasn’t stopped BMW from addressing a different market void. The GT is intended to end up in the garages of those who need the extra space to transport people and goods but don’t want a 3 Series station wagon or an X3 crossover. Rear passengers benefit from roughly three inches more legroom and a slightly larger cargo space compared to the wagon. Yes, those are positive things.
Will it matter to potential car buyers that the GT is likewise larger in almost all dimensions? Will the additional 300 pounds of weight be felt by them? They will undoubtedly do so if they drive the GT after the sedan. Although the 3 Series GT is more skillfully drawn than the 5 Series Gran Turismo, which looks like a guppy, its lines have a forced appearance. The wagon and four-door models continue to be more slender and more natural.
If you’re searching for a luxury performance hatchback that delivers power to all four wheels, BMW pretty much has a lock on the sector because all GTs come equipped with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system. However, there can be a justification for the competition’s decision to exclude this category.
Because it no longer makes sense, BMW is discontinuing the 3 Series Gran Turismo.
The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo has always been unusual since its release. It’s not quite a crossover and it’s not quite a wagon. It has a quirky hunchback body form and is sort of in the center of everything. It seems to be unsure of what it wants to be. Many buyers find that hesitancy to be off-putting, which has resulted in low sales numbers. With the new 3 Series generation being officially available, BMW plans to discontinue the Gran Turismo model.
In a recent investor presentation, BMW stated that “no successor model for the current generation of the BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo will be produced.” The Bavarians genuinely assert that there was sufficient demand to support manufacturing, but I think they are being very optimistic. Instead, they are attempting to simplify things and tighten up the model portfolio. The 3 Series GT is one of the vehicles being eliminated in that decrease since it is now illogical.
The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is a superb automobile in and of itself, yet it offers little to customers. Although the 3 Series Touring serves as the wagon version of the 3er series because it isn’t available in the US, it isn’t quite as attractive as either the wagon or the sedan. No matter how hard dealers try to claim it, it’s not as practical as a true SUV. Additionally, its starting price ($45,400) is higher than that of the actual SUV, the BMW X3 ($43,000 for a comparable xDrive variant).
In addition to being more expensive than the X3 right off the bat, I can assure you that the BMW X3 is also better to drive, more useful, more comfortable, and even has a more modern design aesthetic and cabin. In addition to being more superior in every quantifiable and ineffable manner, the X3 is also more affordable to purchase. Therefore, it just doesn’t make sense to choose the 3 Series Gran Turismo over the BMW 3 Series sedan or the BMW X3. It therefore merits the ax it is about to receive.
BMW does it have a GT?
The GT3 is a lot of fun to drive thanks to a wide variety of engines and a nimble chassis.
The 3 Series GT isn’t quite as quick to drive since BMW has actually designed it to be a more pleasant car than the normal 3 Series. Only the optional PS750 adaptive dampers have we tested, and they deliver an extremely soft ride in Comfort mode. When you change them to Sport, the suspension stiffens, providing you more assurance when you’re steering and a little more agility through corners.
Although it never feels as snappy as the 3 Series saloon or Touring because to its longer body, heavier weight, and higher center of gravity, the rear-wheel-drive chassis and precise steering ensure that the 3 GT is still more enjoyable to drive than most vehicles of this size.
The advanced electronically controlled four-wheel drive system from BMW is also available for the 320i, making it a fantastic all-weather option.
What makes the BMW GT unique?
Even inside, the GT has a luxurious feel. Despite not being the newest on the market, the driver-centric dashboard with the analog instrument cluster is nevertheless comfortable and useful. It is well-constructed and intuitive. Additionally, it is consistent with BMW’s renown for producing high-quality interiors. Electric adjustment on the front seats makes it simple to find a comfortable position. The piece-de-resistance, however, is the back seat, which will actually make its occupants happy. There is ample space for two persons, and the seat is comfortably reclining. The high transmission tunnel may make it uncomfortable for a third person seated in the same row in terms of legroom.
The GT is now more competitive thanks to the addition of features. A redesigned gear selector and iDrive controller are combined with an 8.8-inch screen that shows all the infotainment and vehicle data. The 20GB on-board data storage and nine-speaker system allow you to have limitless music playback on road journeys. There is a ton of helpful information available through the simple-to-use BMW applications. Having a high-quality rear-view camera allows the parking system to provide a good view. The GT has plenty of storage space, two cupholders in the center console, and capacious bins on the doors that can carry large bottles, just like modern BMWs. With 520 liters, the boot is by far the largest of any 3 Series, and when the rear seats are folded flat with the push of a lever, even more space is available. Eight airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control, ESP, and ISOFIX child-seat mounts are just a few of the many safety features that the GT is well-equipped with. The majority of these technologies are also found in BMW’s other models.
What kind of vehicle is a BMW GT?
The most recent price for the 5-seater Sedan BMW 3 Series GT was between Rs 42.50 and Rs 50.70 lakh. It comes in 7 variations, with engine options ranging from 1995 to 1998 cc and 2 gearbox options: Automatic (TC) and Automatic. The 3 Series GT’s Ground Clearance is 165 mm, and its Bootspace is 520 liters, among other important features. There are 2 colors for the 3 Series GT. The 3 Series GT gets between 13.95 and 21.76 kilometers per gallon.
Is a GT a BMW 5 Series?
The most recent pricing of the five-seater sedan BMW 5 Series GT [2010-2014] was Rs 88.27 Lakh. It comes with 9 variations, 2979 to 4395 cc engine choices, and one automatic transmission choice. A Kerb Weight of 2035 kg is one of the 5 Series GT’s [2010-2014] other important features. The 2010–2014 5 Series GT is offered in 9 different colors. From 8.7 km/l to 14.72 km/l, the 5 Series GT’s fuel economy from 2010 to 2014 can be found.