BMW to launch the 3 Series GT in India soon

There's good news for the practical luxury car buyer, BMW is planning to get the 3 Series GT to India and word is that it will be launched as early as the end of this year. Sedan, estate and coupe, all blended into one, that's the best way to describe the BMW 3 Series GT.

The baby GT (Grand Turismo) is bigger than the 3 Series. At 4824mm long, 1489mm tall and 1828mm wide, it is 200mm longer, 50mm taller and 17mm wider. The wheelbase has been stretched too by 110mm to 2920mm.

The 3 GT sports similar BMW styling cues but the differences from the 3 sedan can be easily recognised

Making use of the added headroom, the driving position has been raised, a welcome change from the edge-of-the-seat neck-straining driving one would experience sitting lower in a sedan while driving on our potholed roads. There's also more comfort for the rear passengers due to the increased leg and headroom. At 520 litres, the boot is large and gets cavernous at 1600 litres with the 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats down. Loading it up is easy too since the tailgate opens with the rear windscreen, and since it is powered, all you need to do is wave your foot under the rear bumper. What isn't surprising, though, is that the GT too like its siblings will not come with a full-sized spare wheel but will continue to sport run-flat tyres.

Interiors are the regular BMW fare

The 3 GT sports similar BMW styling cues but the differences from the 3 sedan can be easily recognised. The taller wider stance means the front end â€" from the headlights to the lower bumper â€" had to be proportionately redesigned. The rear has an identity of its own too and is far better executed than the 5 GT that is on sale here currently. BMW has worked to reduce drag on the GT to counter its relatively bulbous form. The bonnet is smoother than the sedan and it gets air curtains under the front wheels to help the flow of air, while air breathers behind the front wheel helps extract air from the wheel arches. To aid stability, the GT is the first BMW to get an active rear wing that pops out when you cross 110kmph, increasing rear downforce by 35 per cent. It can also be activated by a button on the driver's door. The interior stays largely unchanged except for larger cup holders between the front seats and doors.

Loading it up is easy too since the tailgate opens with the rear windscreen, and since it is powered, all you need to do is wave your foot under the rear bumper

Powering the 3 GT will be a range of five engines â€" two 2.0-litre diesels producing 141PS and 181PS in the 318d and 320d respectively and three petrol that includes the range topping six-cylinder 335i delivering 302PS. Expect India to get similar drivetrains to the current 3 Series.

The boot space with the seats flopped is cavernous

Internationally, the car gets two transmission options â€" a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic. India will only get the latter as BMW has a strict no manual policy for the Indian market.

The 3 GT is more spacious than the 3 and X1

Not as expensive as the 5 Series and more spacious than the 3 Series sedan and the X1; the 3 Series GT might just be the most intelligent BMW to buy today. The 3 GT will slot in right between the 3 Series and 5 Series so expect a price bracket between the two. Price will depend on whether it will be launched as a CKD or a CBU and BMW will reveal that information in the near future.