2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo [w/video]

Matt Davis — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, First Drives, Design/Style, Luxury

BMW Gets Much Closer To The GT Look And Feel It Seeks

The 2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is being launched to a pretty cynical automotive press brigade. You know it. We know it. Heck, even BMW knows it. We've just returned from driving it on the rather unforgiving and sometimes nasty roads of Sicily, and even before we got behind the wheel, many of our media colleagues were busying themselves doubting the 3 GT's very raison d'être. So, despite the always excellent Sicilian hospitality, the day's atmosphere was kind of fragile.

While the press in attendance seemed determined to nail every product expert to the wall for having been even tangentially associated with the larger 5 Series Gran Turismo, it seemed that BMW decided ahead of time to not introduce such a sensitive discussion topic. That strategy would do little to smooth things over as everyone started digging for dirt on BMW's so far clumsy Gran Turismo franchise.

As it turns out, we like the 3 GT despite so many packaging and design cards being stacked against it just by association with the 5 GT precedent. Automotive journalists are sometimes wrong en masse and this case of prejudice toward the 3 GT is one of those times.

And besides, much in the way the entire Buick brand still exists because China fell in love with it (entirely to General Motors' dumb-luck surprise), the 5 GT has somewhat thrived due to similar circumstances. The odd-duck 5 Series version - arguably the least appealing design ever to roll out of the halls of BMW - has found its savior almost exclusively in the Land of Confucius. After driving this new 3 GT, we have no reason to doubt it will find far more favor not just in China, but in all of BMW's major markets.

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2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo has arrived, don't call it a wagon

Zach Bowman — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Hatchback, BMW, Luxury

Behold the 2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. BMW unveiled the new five door just ahead of the machine's debut at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, complete with a raft of photos. US buyers will be able to get their hands on both 328i and 335i incarnations of the hatchback beginning this summer. Despite its proportions, the Gran Turismo is a whopping 7.9 inches longer than the 3 Series Sport Wagon and a full 3.2 inches taller. The GT also throws in 4.3 inches of extra wheelbase compared to the wagon, which translates into 2.3 inches of extra rear legroom.

Of course, the liftback design also means there's 18.3 cubic feet of cargo area out back, which bests the wagon by one cube. Designers integrated the company's first active spoiler to improve aerodynamics, and an M Sport package (seen here) helps give the machine a more purposeful look. As with its four-door siblings, the 328i Gran Turismo benefits from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 240 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, 335i buyers can look forward to finding a 300 horsepower 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline six cylinder engine with 300 lb-ft of torque.

Perhaps the real question in light of slow sales for its big-brother 5 Series Gran Turismo brother is.... will it sell? Check out the massive gallery above and full press release below for more information, then feel free to hazard a guess as to its chances for success in Comments.

Continue reading 2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo has arrived, don't call it a wagon

2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo has arrived, don't call it a wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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