BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 2016 | new car sales price

Facelifted 3 Series Gran Turismo set for Q4 Australian debut, with a revised variant line­up.

Following in the footsteps of the 3 Series sedan and touring range, BMW is set to introduce the facelifted version of their esoteric extended 3 Series with wagon-­like flexibility and coupe styling the 3 Series Gran Turismo (GT) ­ in the fourth quarter of this year.

Like its sedan and station wagon counterparts, the new GT brings its appearance in line with the rest of the range with sharp new bi­LED headlight clusters and LED foglights up front, and sleek L-­shaped LED taillights around the back. 

Also added to the range are two new 19­inch alloy rims and two metallic paint options ­ Jatoba (metallic brown) and Arctic Grey (metallic grey).

Currently a three variant line­up, BMW will consolidate the new model to just two with the 320i dropped from the roster and the 328i being replaced with the 330i.

 The facelifted GT range also now comes straight out of the box with Adaptive M Suspension with driver­selectable damping.

From the fourth quarter onwards the diesel ­powered 320d GT will serve as the entry­level variant for the 3GT range. 

The $70,400 320d GT retains the same 140kW/400Nm 2 ­litre 4 ­cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with its 8­speed automatic, 7.7 second 0 to 100km/h claim, and 4.5L/100km rated fuel consumption figure.

With Sport Line trim as standard, the facelifted GT range also now comes straight out of the box with Adaptive M Suspension with driver­selectable damping.

The 320d GT now comes with the addition of ‘Sensatec’ synthetic leather upholstery and extended smartphone connectivity as standard. 

Otherwise the 320d GT retains the same list of standard features, such as the heads-­up display, Driving Assistant, lane ­change warning system, surround view with top view and side view cameras, auto tailgate function, ConnectedDrive Lifestyle, ConnectedDrive Real Time Traffic Information, and the Navigation System Business package, as before.

As with the 3 Series sedan and touring variants, the transition from the 328i GT to the 330i GT also denotes the introduction of BMW’s new B48 2 ­litre 4 ­cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.

As it is with the rest of the 3 Series range, the new engine produces 5kW more than the power unit in the outgoing 328i, now standing at 185kW, whilst torque still stands at 350Nm. 

Paired to the 8-­speed automatic, the 330i GT will charge from rest to 100km/h in an unchanged 6.1 seconds, though its combined rated fuel consumption figure is reduced by 0.3L/100km to 6.2L/100km.

Being the range­topper, the $77,900 330i GT has the addition of a panoramic glass sunroof, ‘Dakota’ leather upholstery, electric lumbar support for the front seats, Comfort Access with contactless tailgate operation, the Navigation System Professional package with the latest iDrive 5 features, and a nine ­speaker audio system, over the 320d GT’s list of onboard features.

Both 320d GT and 330i GT are available in Sport Line trim package as standard, though the luxury line trim package is available as a no cost option for the 330i GT. The M Sports package however is also available for both the 320d GT and 330i GT.

That being said, there are two optional packages available for the 3 Series GT range, with the Innovations Package and Comfort Package.

For the 320d GT the Innovations Package is priced at $2,870 and adds Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Parking Assistant, the Navigation System Professional package, and nine­speaker audio system. 

Whereas the $2,270 Comfort Access brings steering wheel heating, Comfort Access, adjustable lumbar support for the front seats, and seat heating for the front and rear seats.

As for the 330i GT, the $3,500 Innovations Package brings the same Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and Parking Assistant, but upgrades the audio system to a 16 ­speaker surround sound system from Harmon/Kardon. 

The 330i GT’s $1,730 Comfort Access package on the other hand only adds steering wheel heating and front and rear seat heating.

Is the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo on your shopping list? Tell us what you think in the comments below.