2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo revealed ahead of Australian debut
The newly refreshed 2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo has been revealed today, ahead of an Australian launch likely to occur in late 2016 or early next year.
Due to enter the European market after July, the revised 3 Series GT makes its debut some three years after first joining the 3 Series range.
As with the larger 5 Series GT, this variant walks the line between SUV and regular passenger car, with a relatively low ride height matched to an overall taller design than that of the wider 3 Series range.
At 4825mm, the coupe-shaped liftback is also 200mm longer than most of its 3 Series siblings, thanks in large part to the 110mm longer 2920mm wheelbase it shares with China's stretched version of the 3 Series sedan.
For the 2017 model year, the 3 Series Gran Turismo picks up a subtle styling update that includes revised lighting with standard-fit LED headlamps (standard in Europe, at least), and softly tweaked bumpers. LED tail-lamps are also featured.
In the cabin, there's improved materials and lightly updated switches, but the space will otherwise be familiar to existing owners. The latest version of BMW's ‘Professional’ navigation system is also featured, bringing the new tiled interface that debuted with the 2016 7 Series.
Depending on the market, the 2017 3 Series GT's powertrain options will include the newly evolved 'B48' 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in 135kW 320i and 185kW 330i guises.
BMW's new 240kW turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder 'B58' petrol engine is also on deck, driving the 340i model.
No surprise is the absence of the regular 3 Series sedan's 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.
On the diesel front, the twin-turbo version of BMW's 'B47' 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offers 165kW the 325d, with other four- and six-cylinder options ranging in output from 110kW to 230kW.
A six-speed manual transmission can be had in overseas markets, but Australian variants are likely to continue with the eight-speed Steptronic automatic offered with the current range.
Local fuel figures for the updated range won't be confirmed until closer to launch, although BMW claims a 13.8 per cent improvement for the 320d model. In its current form, the 320d lists combined-cycle fuel consumption at 4.5L/100km.
BMW credits the improved figures to transmission refinements, Auto Start Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand operation of ancillary units, and ECO PRO mode.
Australia
Timing for the updated 3 Series Gran Turismo's local launch is still to be confirmed, but a late 2016 or early 2017 launch is likely.
Catch all news and reviews of the current range at the links below.
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