New car sales price BMW 3 Series GT

It's a bit like the unloved 5-Series GT which sold only a handful in this country but the smaller 3 version is prettier. It has a coupe style roofline and frameless door windows, with the current 3-Series face and proportions.

Inside is high end 3-Series with the latest comfort features and technical innovations. GT is based on the same architecture as its sedan and wagon siblings with driving dynamics to match. Slightly longer in the wheelbase the GT should deliver more passenger comfort along with available room.

The cargo area boasts a substantial 520 litres of capacity for everyday use expandable to 1600 litres when the rear seats are folded down. Access is via an electrically operated tailgate.

All versions of the 3 GT benefit from BMW's EfficientDynamics technology (with Auto Stop/Start, Brake Energy Regeneration, ECO PRO mode and on-demand ancillaries such as electric power steering) in the three engines available driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed sport automatic transmission.

BMW's TwinPower turbo four-cylinder direct injection engine, featured in the base BMW 320i GT, produces 135kW/270Nm to deliver a respectable 7.9 second sprint from 0-100 km/h, while consuming 6.2 litres/100km.

The BMW 320d GT runs a BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 135kW/380Nm and a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.9 seconds. Fuel use is 4.9 litres/100km The range topping BMW 328i Gran Turismo features a TwinPower turbo four-cylinder direct injection engine producing 180kW/350Nm. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds and uses as little as 6.5 litres/100km.

The 3 GT benefits from time spent in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel during development to fine-tune its aerodynamics. Every version is fitted with flat undercarriage panelling and an active rear spoiler, which rises up at speeds above 110 km/h and lowers again once the car drops below 70 km/h. The specification of the 3 GT includes an impressive array of standard features. Prices start at $69,500 for the 320i GT.