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BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo fills a void we didn't know existed [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST

Despite its substantial functionality, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo has been an utter sales flop here on our shores - so much so that the Germans have reportedly been rethinking the decision to not offer the 5 Series Touring in the States. So forgive us, then, for questioning the motives behind this new GT version of the smaller 3 Series, which will arrive in the US this summer in both 328i and 335i variants.

Nevertheless, the 3 Series GT makes its official debut here at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, and despite its focus on rakishness (or something), it's actually more functional and spacious than the 3 Series Sport Wagon. That's right - thanks to an extra 4.3 inches of wheelbase, 7.9 inches of length and 3.2 inches of height, the 3GT offers more space for rear passengers and one more cubic foot of storage overall.

Engine choices are unchanged from the 3 Series sedan, with the 328i getting a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four and the 335i utilizing a 300-horsepower turbo-six. Pricing will be announced closer to the car's on-sale date this summer.

UPDATE: Video of BMW's Geneva Motor Show presence added below.

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BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo fills a void we didn't know existed [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:00:00 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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Report: BMW 3 Series range to include Gran Turismo, M3 to get twin-turbo six

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Hatchback, BMW

It's been over five years since the E90 BMW 3 Series was introduced, and according to Automobile, the all-new bread-and-butter Bimmer is set to hit the market in 2012. Codenamed F30, the next 3er is reportedly set to employ the F20 1 Series' front strut layout instead of the 5, 6 and 7 Series double wishbone arrangement. But the new underpinnings aren't the real news.

Five body styles will make up the 2012 3 Series: The standard sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible (each coming out about six months after the former's introduction), along with a Gran Turismo model in 2013. The slant-roof five-door we've reported on previously will take cues from the 5 Series that shares the same name, but will feature a one-piece hatch unlike it's bigger brother's two-piece unit.

Automobile also reports that the next two-door will feature bespoke sheetmetal with a more canted windshield, lower roofline and sculpted flanks, while the convertible will continue to use a retractable hardtop instead of a canvas roof.

Naturally, the M division is hard at work on the next M3, and it's likely to drop the 420-horsepower V8 in favor of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six putting out around 450 hp. There's a slight - very slight - possibility that M could develop a "Speedster" variant of the 3 Series with a fabric roof and cut-down windshield, and BMW is looking into creating a three-door shooting brake 3 Series, which we whole-heartedly approve.

[Source: Automobile]

Report: BMW 3 Series range to include Gran Turismo, M3 to get twin-turbo six originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo caught swirling around?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, Luxury

If you love the idea of the 5 Series Gran Turismo but don't want a vehicle quite that large, BMW's got something baking in the oven that you may very well be interested in: a 3 Series Gran Turismo. Just like its larger sibling, this wagon that's masquerading as anything other than a wagon will sport a fastback-like rear roof design that covers up a larger cargo hold than the standard 3's trunk.

It appears that the upcoming 3 Series Gran Turismo will be both longer and wider than the current 3, and that size advantage may carry over to the rest of the 3 Series line as well. Expect a predominantly aluminum chassis underneath the slinky new bodywork to help keep weight from escalating out of control.

BMW has made no mention of when the 3 Series GT might hit the market, but if it makes an appearance before the expected sedan, coupe and wagon versions of the next 3 - as was the case with the latest BMW 5 Series - we might see the fastback wagon sometime in 2012.

[Source: Autocar]

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo caught swirling around? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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