BMW Philippines launches 3 Series Gran Turismo

Asian Carmakers Corp. president Maricar Parco and ACC executive director for sales and marketing Glen Dasig present the latest 3 Series Gran Turismo.

The 3 Series sits at the very heart of the BMW lineup. Often imitated but never equaled, the 3 serves up a balance of sportiness and comfort that hits the spot. Whenever we start up a 3 and embark on a journey, it feels like no other sedan. But there are instances when even the 3 needs a little bit of spiciness thrown in the mix. This is where the all-new 3 Series Gran Turismo (GT) comes in.

Rather than a coupe, as the name Gran Turismo might suggest, BMW’s definition of a GT is a high-tailed hatchback. The first such derivative was the 5 Series GT, which was not quite gifted in the looks department. The designers have learned a thing or two, as the 3 Series GT looks better proportioned than the ungainly 5 GT. Thanks to platform sharing and computer-aided design technology, spinning off variants of existing automotive models is done quicker and is potentially more profitable than before.

Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC), official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, launched during their recent Xpo sales event the 3 Series GT. The car aims to combine the sedan’s well-known dynamic driving characteristics with the increased space and versatility of a “Touring,” BMW-speak for station wagon. Somehow, the Touring model was never such a hit here as in the European market.

Maricar Parco, ACC president, summed up the car’s mission: “Aesthetic appeal, space and functionality: These three make up the all-new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, a high-caliber addition to the BMW 3 Series range that targets the premium midsize segment. The new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo exudes the performance of a sports sedan but at the same time offers immense practicality and extra space that can be used in many ways—making it the only model of its kind in its segment today.”

The car’s styling mixes elements from the coupe, hatchback and station wagon lines. The sportier cues include frameless window and downward-sloping roofline. The tailgate is as large on any hatchback, allowing for easy loading of bulky cargo. Similarly, the load space itself has been enlarged to nearly wagon proportions. Jutting out just below the backlight is a retractable rear spoiler. It stays flush at rest to preserve the car’s lines, while being deployed at speed to reduce rear lift. It’s the first such active spoiler on a BMW road car.

As for size, it’s immediately apparent that the GT is bigger than its sedan sibling. It’s 200 millimeters longer, with a 110-mm longer wheelbase. It’s also taller by 81 mm. The additional bulk is tucked into the design with no loss of elegance or sleekness.

Larger interior equals long-distance comfort

You may surmise that the increase in wheelbase equals a bigger interior. Indeed, the back seat passengers enjoy an extra 70 mm of legroom; this might almost be called the 3 Series Long Wheelbase.

The taller roofline translates to more headroom, and more importantly, higher seating position. It’s no surprise that the 3 Series sedan’s low-slung seats prove to be challenging to get in and out of, particularly for the more, shall we say, seasoned drivers out there. That problem is eliminated by the 59-mm higher seats, making ingress and egress more akin to getting into a crossover.

The cargo area doesn’t take a back seat to the back seat, as it, too, is longer and wider. The bay includes lashing points and hooks. An underfloor storage compartment makes use of the space vacated by the spare tire. LED strips illuminate the cargo area.

ACC executive director for sales and marketing Glen Dasig said: “The GT body style is a combination of three different vehicles. You get the driving position of an SUV, the luggage space of a wagon and the roofline of a coupe. For people who have always loved the nimbleness and agility of the 3 Series but have family members looking for bigger legroom, this is the answer.”

The 3 Series GT comes in Sport, Modern and Luxury trim levels. All are powered by a 2-liter inline-four diesel engine with twin turbos. This mates to an eight-speed automatic and drives the rear wheels. Engine auto start/stop function is standard.

The car rides on light-alloy suspension components and 18-inch wheels. Electric power steering, a torsionally stiff body and the trademark 50:50 front-rear weight distribution promise the same handling agility as the 3 Series sedan.

The 3 Series GT employs the company’s EfficientDynamics technology—which includes the auto start/stop, brake energy regeneration and selective on-demand operation of auxiliary components—which helps to increase fuel mileage. The car’s Eco Pro mode can help cut fuel consumption by another 20 percent.

The 3 GT retails for P3.89 million, or P400,000 more than the sedan variant.

The car’s launch was part of ACC’s Xpo event at Bonifacio Global City, where special deals for new and preowned cars were available for the weekend. To help spread the corporate byword—joy—further, the company initiated a donation to the Philippine National Red Cross. For every “like” of the company’s Facebook page from Oct. 4 to 6, 2013, ACC will donate P10 to the Red Cross, and for every test drive during the event, the company will donate P1,000.