2014 BMW 3 Series GT - First Look By Henny Hemmes

2014 BMW 3 Series GT

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
The Auto Channel

MUNICH/THE HAGUE, January 6, 2013. In less than 4 weeks, BMW will unveil the 3 Series GT, or in BMW-terms the F34. It was only a question of time for a Gran Turismo to be added to the 3 Series. A couple of years ago, CEO Norbert Reithofer said that the company was going to seriously consider a gran turismo model for the ‘3’, and in the summer of 2011, a prototype of the GT was spotted testing at the Nordschleife of the N�rburgring.

Today, BMW has released full details and pictures of the ‘Dreier’ GT, that will celebrate its world premiere on March 5th at the Geneva auto show. The 3 Series GT is the third body variant of the 3 Series and will arrive on the world market in June or July and in North America in August.

The new model has a 110 mm/4.3 in. longer wheel base and is 200 mm/7.9” longer than the Touring, while it is 81 mm/3.2” higher. But it speaks for itself that the design has the familiar front section of the sedan and touring, with a coupe roof that resembles that of the 5 Series GT.

The extra inches especially benefit the interior dimensions. Both in the front and the rear, the seating position is raised by 59 mm/2.3” for easy entry and – according to BMW – a good view at the outside world, and: ‘ the GT also offers extra headroom’.

However, no figure is mentioned of how much… What is being mentioned, is the additional legroom of 70 mm/2.6” compared to the other two 3 Series models.

The increased dimensions are also noticeable in the luggage capacity, which exceeds that of the Touring by 25 liters/0.9 cu.ft. The large load aperture and high opening electric tailgate should make access easy.

The 3 GT also features functionality by the standard 40/20/40 split/folding rear seat bench with folding head restraints. The adjustable back rests have a cargo function and the parcel shells consist of two pieces. LED strips illuminate the boot, which, is equipped with multifunctional hooks and lashing points and it offers a storage compartment under the floor.

The ‘Dreier’ GT will be offered with a choice of three equipment lines, three petrol and two diesel engines. Besides the entry level, there will be a Sport, Luxury and Modern Line, or the optional M Sport package, that will be available from July 2013. The gasoline engines are available in the 320i and 328i, while the 6-cylinder will be delivered under the bonnet of the 335i. The 2.0-liter diesel engines will be available as 318d and 320d.

All gasoline and diesel power plants use BMW’s TwinPower Turbo Technology and will be combined with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the unsurpassed 8-speed automatic transmission is available as an option for all engine variants.

Other technology, that we already know from the Sedan and Touring, include air curtains in the front apron. New are the Air Breathers, air ducts rearwards of the front wheel arches, which reach back as far as the outlet apertures in the side of the body and also act as a new visible design element. The Air Breathers divert part of the airflow into the wheel arches, thereby reducing air resistance. They work particularly effectively in combination with the Air Curtains.

The active rear spoiler is unique to the GT. The special Eco pro mode and the new Eco Pro Route function offer the possibility to drive with fuel efficiency in mind. Driver assistance systems and mobility enhancements are offered under ConnectedDrive. In this respect, I would also like to mention the latest generation full-color head-up display, Bluetooth office functions for internet services and the Apps option.

2014 BMW 3 Series GT

Length/width/height mm	4,924 / 1,489 / 1,828
          inches	193,86 / 58,62 / 71,97
Wheelbase			2,920 mm  -  114,96 in.
Track front/rear		1,541 / 1,586 mm  -  60,67 / 62,44 in. 
Luggage cap.			520-1,600 liter  -  18.36-56.50 cu.ft.
Load aperture w/h		1,120 x 618 mm  -  44.09 x 24,33 in.
Kerb weight kg		1,560-1,615 (320i and 382i), 1,640-1,715 (335i)
                     lbs		3,439-3,560		           3,616-3,781
Max. trailer load kg		1,400 / 1,600 / 1,700 (320i/328i/335i)
 	                lbs		3,086 / 3,527 / 3,748