BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo (Part 1)
Plenty
of space in a 3 series? Sounds like a great idea. Well, BMW thought so too
If
you make a list of carmakers who can create niche segments out of thin air, BMW
would be
Somewhere
near the top. It hasn’t hit jackpot each time, but that has never stopped the
Munich boys from experimenting. In fact, as one legendary automotive expert,
whose last name is
Clarkson,
says, what makes German carmakers stand out is their penchant for always trying
something new.
BMW 3 Gran Turismo
The
Gran Turismo concept is the result of one such experiment. The 5 series was the
unlucky first one to be operated on, and immediately, the bulbous design drew
flak from both, experts and customers. It looked odd, had a complicated, twin-hatchback
mechanism and was expensive. To its credit, the 5 GT did have lots of space. But
despite the criticism, BMW did not let go of the idea, and early last year, announced
the impending arrival of the 3 series Gran Turismo. While the 5 GT didn’t live
up to expectations around the world, in India, it didn’t do too badly. Buoyed by
Indian buyers’ welcoming attitude to the design, BMW is now readying the 3 GT.
And it is going a step further – the cars will be assembled at its Chennai plant,
and made in larger numbers.
The grille is a bit wider. Also the slats tilt
forward as they go up
The
car looks, and is, much bigger than a 3 series sedan. It uses the chassis of
the 3 series long wheelbase sold in China, which makes it longer and marginally
wider. The coupe-like rear doesn’t look too bad, but is not as handsome as a
sedan. The car is taller too and seat height has been raised – almost to the
level of an X1. Wheelbase is nearly 200mm longer. So, rear legroom is more than
in a 5 series! The boot is huge too, at 520 litres. Again, that’s the same as
in the bigger 5.
Apart
from the coupe roof at the rear, subtle design changes differentiate the GT from
a normal 3. The headlights and grille are wider, thanks to the overall increase
in dimensions. The bonnet has smoother contours to go with the car’s suggested character
– more a comfortable long distance cruiser than the edgier sedan.
Air breather: Behind the front wheel arch.
Reduces drag
In
a first for BMW, the 3 GT gets an active rear spoiler that’s nicely hidden at
speeds below 110kph. It is a functional unit, which reduces lift on the rear
axle by almost 60 per cent, once engaged. It comes into action beyond 110kph
and stays there until speed drops below 70kph. To improve aerodynamics, the 3 GT
gets another first – the Air Breather – just behind the front wheel arch, which
works in conjunction with the Air Curtains on the bonnet to facilitate airflow
around the wheel and reduce drag. Not surprisingly, the car boasts of a drag
coefficient of 0.28.
