with variety of engines, it is efficient and performs well

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is an exceptional blend of luxury, comfort and practicality

The vehicle also known as the BMW 3-Series GT is a product of BMW’s Progressive Activity Coupe series and based on V3 automobile platform. This platform is 110mm longer than standard 3-Series version with 79mm extra height and 17mm wide. It is a good combination of saloon style with sporty look and practicality of a normal estate model. This 3-Series GT proves its practicality with big and roomy interior and good storage capacity. It gives luxurious driving experience with efficient performance and economy. This version is of 140kg extra weight than the 3-Series which gives you the perfect handling and superb road grip while cruising. There are very few rivals of this version directly because it is a unique production of the BMW but Audi A5 Sportback, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, Jaguar XE and the Lexus LS are its main rivals.

Good and comfortable interior with standard material offers a ride

The BMW 3-Series GT offers great comfort while driving due to its well-packed luxury interior which is designed by standard material and well knitted by the BMW’s craft. The overall exterior look is impressive with bespoke bumpers and lights. From the back there is a question mark on the shape but the BMW has managed it well. Overall practicality levels of the BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo are fantastic.

There are different trim-levels available in the market with different levels and standard of materials such as SE, Sport, Luxury and M sport. All models are extra refined, practical and smooth. The dashboard is of high-quality plastic and fitted with all expensive hi-tech systems as standard of BMW. An air Curtain Vent is mounted behind the front wheels for better and improved airflow. The rear spoiler also helps in acceleration and looking decent.

Good space and practical approach makes it a good choice

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is with sensible seating arrangement that offers a plenty of space at front and reasonable at rear. The boot space is also effective. The normal luggage capacity is of 520-litres while the seats are in their place. Good, wide and high-opening tailgate gives plenty of practical space for loading and unloading. The rear seats can be folded very easily and 1600-litres of luggage space can be achieved which is more than the Audi A5 Sportback.  With more than enough leg and head room, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is as comfortable as the 5-Series. The large central transmission assembly creates little bit problem for the passengers at rear but affordable and compensates by the comfort offered by the vehicle.

Hi-tech equipment and features are there for BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo

The BMW has used its standard features and equipment in this vehicle. The 6.5-inch control display with iDrive controller, electronic rear spoiler, active rear sensors, automatic tailgate opening, standard Cruise control with Eco-Pro mode, hip-hugging sports seats with high-class leather upholstery, Air Breathers are fitted in the BMW GT series. There are also radar sensors and lane-departure warning systems with Collision Warning and braking systems. The safe distance alarming system is also there to maintain good safety measures. Bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive system offers controlled headlights on motorway and city drive. The navigation system with Bluetooth connectivity is available with optional internet access and BMW apps.

The BMW 3-Series GT is available with huge engine choice

There are good, smooth and efficient diesel engines along with powerful and speedy BMW petrol engines. All diesels maintain good fuel average with reasonable performance. The petrol engines are less economical than the diesel ones but offers great speed and performance.

The BMW 3-Series GT diesel engine lineup

The diesel engine lineup starts with 2.0-Litre 318d. It is capable of 147bhp and 236lb/ft torque. It takes 8.9 seconds to get from 0-62m/h. The top speed of this engine is 130m/h. This diesel engine is economical enough to give 64m/g of fuel average with 117g/km of Co2 emissions. It is fitted with eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive system.

The 2.0-Litre320d 190bhp is a powerful diesel engine

With 187bhp and 295lb/ft torque it is a powerful engine and takes 7.5 seconds to reach from 0-62m/h with top speed of 140m/h. Though it is also fitted with eight-speed automatic gearbox but maintains good fuel average of 62m/g with just 120g/km of emissions.

The 2.0-Litre214bhp version is good in performance

325d is available in 214bhp and 332lb/ft torque. Its performance is also reasonable. It takes 6.9 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 150m/h. The fuel average of this engine is also good with 55m/g and emissions are 134g/km.

The 3.0-Litre 330d diesel engine is used in Luxury trim-level

With 254bhp and 413lb/ft torque, it is a speedy diesel engine and takes 5.5 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 155m/h. The fuel average is also impressive with 55m/g and emissions are 135g/km. It is fitted with eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive system.

The 3.0-Litre 335d is the fastest in the diesel engines

The 3.0-Litre 335d is of 308bhp and 443lb/ft torque. This diesel engine is impressive in speed and cruising. It takes 4.7 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 155m/h. The fuel average is 49m/g with 149g/km of Co2 emissions. It is fitted with eight-speed automatic gear transmission and four-wheel drive unit.

The BMW 3-Series GT Petrol engine line up

The petrol engines are as impressive in performance as the diesel engines. All engines give smooth and pleasant driving experience. Though powerful enough and best for cruising, but economy drops down as the performance and speed go up.

The 2.0-Litre 320i is an entry level petrol engine

The petrol engine lineup starts with entry-level 320i a 2.0-Litre engine. It is of 181bhp and 199lb/ft torque. It is a four-cylinder petrol engine with less power and takes 7.6 seconds to get from 0-62m/h. though the sprint time is not impressive, but maintains good top speed with 145m/h. The fuel average is not as good as we find in diesel versions, but affordable with 42m/g. Its emissions are 153g/km. It is fitted with six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive unit. It is available in SE trim-level.

The 2.0-Litre petrol engine with 241bhp

The 2.0-Litre 328i is a powerful version with 241bhp and 258lb/ft torque. This petrol version is available in SE trim-level. It is fitted with six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive unit along with optional eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive unit. It takes 5.9 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 155m/h. The fuel average is 43m/g with 156g/km of Co2 emissions. There is another version in this petrol engine with 248bhp and 258lb/ft torque. This version is used in M-Sport professional trim level with minor improvements in performance.

The 3.0-Litre 335i petrol engine

This petrol engine is of 301bhp and 295lb/ft torque. This petrol version is impressive in speed and acceleration but remains thirsty by every moment. It takes 5.5 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 155m/h. The fuel average is not good with just 34m/g with high emissions of 188g/km of Co2. It is fitted with three different set ups, six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive unit as standard, also available in eight-speed automatic gearbox with rear -wheel drive unit and eight-speed automatic transmission with four-wheel drive unit.

The 3.0-Litre 340i is the fastest petrol engine in the lineup

The 3.0-Litre 340i is a six-cylinder petrol engine, capable of 321bhp and 332lb/ft torque. It is the fastest engine in petrol engine lineup but not in the whole engine lineup in the presence of 3.0-Litre 335d. It takes 4.9 seconds, two seconds extra from the 3.0-Litre diesel version, to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 155m/h. It is good in speed and economical in fuel consumption. It offers 38m/g of fuel average with 161g/km of Co2 emissions. It is available with eight-speed automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive unit as standard along with eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive assembly optional.

Smooth and efficient performance is offered by this GT series

If we compare the BMW 3-Series Saloon with BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo, then we feel differences in all areas, though the minor ones. The GT offers a direct steering with efficient pliant suspensions. The GT is with heavier look gives the enthusiastic driving experience of sports car while cruising. The overall performance of GT series is good than the 3-series saloon.

Reliability and safety

In the year of 2014 the BMW 3-Series was awarded with the best compact executive Saloon and the same scene was with the GT series. The BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo is considered a reliable vehicle with best handling and performance. There are some minor issues about seat cushions of this series which are not considered as comfortable as BMW 3-Series Saloon and other rivals have. As far as safety is concerned, the BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo is fitted with all safety measures and features that one expect from the BMW. Though it hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP yet, but along with traction control, cornering brake control, efficient sensors, plenty of safety features are there in the BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo to maintain its safety measures.