At the same time there is enough grunt at
the bottom of the range when the going gets slow, so that the eight-speed auto
doesn’t have to work too hard. Speaking of the eight-speed auto, it’s really a
fine gearbox that performs well in almost all sorts of conditions. The reason I
use the term “almost” is because when you want to put the 3 Series GT through a
bout of really spirited driving, then the shifts don’t seem to happen with the
same alacrity as the throttle response. It’s as if the engine is like a little
child who wants to run ahead of itself with wild abandon while the gearbox is
the more sensible older sibling who wants you to exercise a little bit of
caution. For sure, there are quicker shifting ’boxes in the industry today, but
move away from that brand of manic driving, and you are richly rewarded.
The
GT's interior is cloaked in the same soft-touch trim as the regular 3-series
This being a BMW, rewards also come through
in the handling department. On the way to the photo shoot this car did prove to
be a joy (no reference to BMW adverts) to drive. Step on the gas at the apex of a tight hairpin and you will
hear a mild squeal from the rear tyre as 380 Nm of torque is sent to the
rear axle. Around fast bends (and, of course, in a straight line) the car holds
its line like nobody’s business, and you will find yourself pushing the
envelope just a little bit every time you see a sweeping curve of the road
ahead. A few such and you’re suddenly aware of a smile on your lips that has
appeared somewhere along the way without you noticing it. Steering too is
precise and lets you know where the wheels are with a high degree of accuracy.
There
isn't much to differentiate the GT in the front, compared to the saloon, save
for that raised hip point
Ride quality on the 3 Series GT is better
than on the saloon car that bears the same moniker and you find yourself going
over the rough patches without complaint. There is none the less a hint of the
stiffness that characterized BMW cars in the past, belying its intentions of
being a joy mainly for the man at the helm and not the couch potato on the rear
seat. With ABS and brake assist working in conjunction, the 3 Series GT stops
without drama from practically all speeds, which is a key element to adding
peace of mind an unpredictable Indian driving environment. The fact that the
car also gets brake energy regeneration is a bonus.
The
GT doesn't gain as much of an advantage back here as you'd think, but there's
still plenty of room
Another bonus is the car’s massive
520-litre boot and the sportback boot opening, which is an advantage when
stowing odd shaped cargo. The boot can be further enlarged by up to 33 litres
without having to fold the rear seats thanks to the latter’s recline feature.
Factor in their 40:20:40 split folding feature and you can extend the boot to a
gargantuan 1,600 litres, which is more than enough to swallow the contents of a
small studio apartment.
Access
to the boot is excellent thanks to the electric tailgate and hatchback opening
On the whole, then, the BMW 3 Series GT
does end up ticking all the right boxes. It is stylish (in a slightly
unconventional sort of manner). It is exclusive, certainly far more than the 3
Series saloon. It is spacious and offers all the luxuries one would expect from
a BMW. And it’s certainly a fast and fun to drive car. It’s also a practical
car this one; something you can actually use for your daily life. Most
importantly, there is absolutely nothing that you can buy for half a million
rupees that will be able to rival the 3 Series GT.
