BMW 3 Series GT – Australian pricing & specs

The local launch of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is drawing closer, and if you’re keen on this car the official word is you’ll have to wait until 1 September. But we think you’ll be able to find these cars in dealerships around the country before then.

Australian pricing for the F34 GT was first announced back in June and there’s been no changes since then. To quickly recap there will be three models offered to begin with: 320i GT ($69,500), 320d GT ($71,800) and 328i GT ($76,500). Like the regular 3 Series range, all GT models can be optioned with Modern, Luxury or Sport lines.

While the architecture from F30 saloon is the basis for the GT, it rides on a wheelbase that has been extended by 110mm in a body that is 200mm longer overall. Throw in an extra 81mm in height and you end up with the most spacious 3 Series variant you can get your hands on.

Full details from BMW Australia can be found below, including a 15 page specifications document available for download.

BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

• Innovative design concept, unique in segment
  
• Commanding seating position, longer wheel base and more interior space
  
• 520 – 1600 litres of flexible and versatile luggage space
  
• Premier of new BMW EfficientDynamics Air Breather feature
  
• Range starts from $69,500

July 22 2013 – BMW Group Australia has announced September 1st 2013 as the on-sale date for its newest variant, the 3 Series Gran Turismo.

Highlights of the 3 Series Gran Turismo line-up include an innovative and stylish design, the expected engaging driving dynamics of the BMW 3 Series, elevated seating position, voluminous occupant space and a capacious luggage compartment.

The managing director of BMW Group Australia, Phil Horton, expects the new model to appeal to a wide audience.

“The 3 Series Gran Turismo will appeal to people who may be thinking about buying a touring sedan, a wagon, or an SUV. It will appeal to people who love stylish and prestigious design,” Horton said.

“But most of all, the 3 Series Gran Turismo has BMW’s legendary driving dynamics, so it will appeal to people who love to drive.”

The new addition to the 3 Series range will be powered by three of the German marque’s most popular engines – the 320i (135 kW/270Nm), the 320d (135kW/380Nm) and the range-topping 328i (180kW/350Nm). All engines boast increased economy and low emissions. A standard eight-speed automatic transmission is mated to each engine.

Dynamically, the 3 Series Gran Turismo is a winner. Every model is fitted with a flat undercarriage and an active rear spoiler which is raised at 110 km per hour, and lowered when the speed drops below 70 km per hour. These components contribute to reduced lift and a lower co-efficient of drag (0.29Cd)

Enhanced specifications are available on the 3 Series Gran Turismo, with a long list of standard features including active and passive safety features, passenger comfort and convenience features and navigation systems. The 3 Series Gran Turismo also receives, as a standard specification, the choice of one of three 3 Series ‘Lines’ packages which boast individual interior and exterior features. The Lines available include Modern, Luxury or Sport.

Additional individual options such as M adaptive suspension, variable sports steering and sport seats are available to enhance the dynamics of the 3 Series Gran Turismo.

Pricing on the 3 Series Gran Turismo starts from $69,500 and the vehicle will be available in more than 40 BMW dealerships across Australia from September 1.

All the details

BMW is demonstrating its innovative prowess with the newest member of the 3 Series family, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. This new, uniquely styled vehicle integrates the engaging driving dynamics of the 3 Series sedan with a commanding driving position and voluminous passenger and luggage space, all within a distinctive and emotive design.

According to Phil Horton, BMW Group Australia’s managing director, the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo combines these most sought after attributes into a single package.

“The 3 Series Gran Turismo breaks the convention of traditional automotive concepts and provides customers with an option that doesn’t compromise on comfort, functionality or dynamics,” he said.

The innovative new body concept is highlighted by the coupé style roofline stretching from the front of the passenger compartment and gently sloping down over the luggage compartment to the rear of the car. With the addition of frameless door windows and typically dynamic BMW proportions, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo creates a distinctively elegant, yet dynamic, presence.

The creative thinking is no less impressive on the inside of the vehicle, where the focus is on high levels of comfort for the occupants as well as intelligent and versatile loading options.

Based on the same architecture as its Sedan and Touring siblings, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo shares the driving dynamics the 3 Series is famous for. However, larger proportions, which include 200 mm of additional overall length, a 110 mm longer wheel base and an 81 mm taller roof line versus the 3 Series Touring has allowed increased cabin dimensions resulting in an extra level of passenger comfort and space.

Along with the extra room for passengers, the cargo area also boasts a substantial and versatile 520 litres of capacity for everyday use. This increases to a voluminous 1,600 litres when the rear seats are folded down. Access is via the standard electrically operated tailgate which opens to provide an impressively large aperture, making it a simple matter to load all manner of items.

But it’s the innovative flexibility of the luggage area that stands out with this new model, combining the 40:20:40 split fold seats with adjustable seatback angle, a two-part rear shelf (which can be stowed in the cargo floor when not in use), dividable underfloor storage and the adaptive fixing system as part of the standard storage package. The almost limitless combinations for cargo carrying demonstrate the impressive versatility of the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.

All new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo models available from launch demonstrate class leading efficiency and performance, with a choice of three of the most technologically advanced engines mated to eight-speed sport automatic transmissions as standard.

BMW’s TwinPower turbo four-cylinder direct injection engine, featured in the entry point BMW 320i Gran Turismo, produces 135 kW and 270 Nm of torque to deliver a very respectable 7.9 second sprint from 0-100 km/h, whilst sipping a mere 6.2l/100km and emitting 145 g CO2 per km.

The BMW 320d Gran Turismo boasts a BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 135kW of power and 380 Nm of torque. The 0-100 km/h performance is identical to the 320i variant at 7.9 seconds. However, due to the higher level of torque, the fuel saving is considerable at only 4.9l/100 km with emissions of just 129 grams of CO2 per km.

The range topping BMW 328i Gran Turismo leads the model line-up and features BMW’s much-lauded new TwinPower turbo four-cylinder direct injection engine. Producing 180 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque for a 0-100 km/h sprint of just 6.1 seconds, this efficient yet powerful engine consumes just 6.5 litres of fuel per 100 kms and emits only 151 grams of CO2 per km.

All three models combine ultra efficient engine and transmission combinations with a suite of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies to achieve exemplary consumption and emissions figures. Each BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is equipped with Auto Stop/Start, Brake Energy Regeneration, ECO PRO mode and on-demand ancillaries such as electric power steering.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo also benefits from time spent in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel during development to fine-tune its aerodynamics. In order to achieve the impressively low drag coefficient of just 0.29 Cd, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo comes equipped with front apron air curtains and new air breathers situated behind the front wheels which are designed to reduce air turbulence, and therefore drag.

Every model is also fitted with flat undercarriage panelling and an active rear spoiler, which rises at speeds above 110 km/h and lowers again once the car drops below 70 km/h. Both the undercarriage and the innovative spoiler are designed to reduce lift and maintain the traditional BMW dynamics at higher speeds.

The specification of the 3 Series Gran Turismo includes an impressive array of standard features.

Additional to the commanding seating position, which improves visibility and awareness for the occupants, the 3 Series Gran Turismo is loaded with active and passive safety features such as DSC, active protection accident preparation system, six airbags, dynamic braking lights, anti-dazzle interior mirror, rear view camera, run-flat safety tyres and rain sensor with automatic headlight control.

Passenger comfort and convenience is further enhanced with features including heat/sun protection glass, dual-zone climate control, Dakota leather upholstery, leather multi-function steering wheel, electrically adjusted front seats with memory with the 328i Gran Turismo also featuring electric lumbar support, storage package, 40:20:40 split rear seat backrest with reclining function and automatic tailgate opening and closing on every model.

Both the 320i and 320d receive a business navigation system which includes 6.5 inch display with iDrive controller and six programmable memory buttons as well as a USB audio interface.

Additionally, the 328i Gran Turismo comes equipped with BMW’s professional navigation system, which incorporates an 8.8 inch, high resolution colour display, DVD drive, 3D map, bird’s eye view and a 20Gb hard drive for storage and playback of audio files as well as Internet functionality, extended Bluetooth function including audio streaming and a nine speaker HiFi loudspeaker system.

The 3 Series Gran Turismo will also include one of the 3 Series ‘Lines’ as standard, with option of either Modern, Luxury or Sports, each offering a distinctively different character through unique packaging of interior and exterior trims, upholstery colours and ‘Line’ specific design elements.

Additional individual options such as M adaptive suspension, variable sports steering and sport seats are available to enhance the dynamics of the new 3 Series Gran Turismo.

From a safety and connectivity viewpoint, features such as head-up display, surround view, lane change and lane departure warning, adaptive bi-Xenon headlights with high-beam assist, and high-end audio systems such as the optional Harman/Kardon sound system are all available to create the ideal car to suit anyone’s needs.

Australian MRLP*

• BMW 320i Gran Turismo – $69,500
• BMW 320d Gran Turismo – $71,800
• BMW 328i Gran Turismo – $76,500

*Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price is shown and includes GST and Luxury Car Tax (LCT) – if applicable, but excludes dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road charges, which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing inquiries.

Download

• 3 Series GT – Australian specifications (2.1mb PDF)