Welsh Motoring Writers
  • Home
  • About us
  • News
  • Car Reviews
  • Blogs
  • Contact
  • Members
  • Blog

BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

5/23/2013

 
Picture
Long gone are the days when a manufacturer of upmarket cars could survive with two or three model ranges.

A combination of exploring various niches together with the increasing popularity of premium badge cars has led to a proliferation of models from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz that have made it harder for mainstream brands to compete.


Some of the biggest-selling cars have moved away from five-door hatchbacks in favour of saloons because of the perceived ‘premium’ image associated with them. Citroën, Mazda and Toyota are among those that have produced D-sector saloons at the expense of hatchback derivatives.

But we have seen premium brands begin to encroach on hatchback territory. The cars are not called hatchbacks, of course. This would give them too much in common with the mainstream products whose drivers they have become increasingly dependent on for sales.

The Audi A5 Sportback was the first of these products – distinguished from the A4 range by its A5 badging and called a Sportback to describe its five-door ‘coupé’ design. Now BMW is offering its interpretation of a more practical and stylish variant in the 3 Series range with the Gran Turismo.

But more than a hatchback, BMW would argue that its longer body than the saloon and Touring, as well as more legroom liberated by its longer wheelbase, makes it stand out as a practical coupé.

And there is a certain sleekness to the car befitting of a coupé. The front three-quarter and rear three-quarter views make it look far more elegant than in profile.

It’s a proper five-seater and with the rear seats folded it has more outright luggage volume than a 3 Series Touring at 1,600 litres.

The 318d has 143bhp and combined fuel consumption of 62.8mpg with CO2 emissions of 119g/km for the manual. The engine offers good acceleration and is exceptionally quiet. From behind the wheel, the Gran Turismo feels very much part of the 3 Series family with the same clear instrument layout and high-quality materials, but its elevated driving position takes away some of the sporty character.

However, it still has all the main attributes of a 3 Series on the road offering responsive reactions and a fairly comfortable ride even on the optional 19-inch wheels with run-flat tyres of our test car.

By Simon Harris


Comments are closed.

    View by date

    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    December 2020
    August 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    September 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    March 2014
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    May 2010
    December 2009
    October 2009
    August 2009
    November 2001


    View by tags

    All
    Alfa Romeo Giulietta
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    Aston Martin Rapide
    Audi A3
    Audi A6
    Audi A7 Sportback
    Audi Q3
    Bmw 520d
    Bmw 5 Series Touring
    Bugatti Veyron Super Sports
    Fiat 500 Twinair
    Ford Focus
    Honda Civic Type R
    Honda CR-Z
    Hyundai Ix35
    Infiniti Ex37
    Infiniti Fx
    Infiniti G37 Cabrio
    Jaguar Xf
    Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Kia Soul
    Kia Sportage
    Land Rover Discovery 4
    Lexus Ct200h
    Mazda3
    Mazda CX-5
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class
    Mini Countyman
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    Nissan X-Trail
    Peugeot 3008
    Peugeot 508 Rxh
    Peugeot 508 Saloon
    Peugeot Rcz
    Range Rover Evoque
    Renault Mégane
    Renault Mégane Coupe Cabriolet
    Renaultsport Clio Gordini
    Renault Wind
    Seat Leon Cupra R
    Seat Leon Ecomotive
    Skoda Octavia Scout
    Skoda Superb Estate
    Skoda Yeti
    Ssangyong Korando
    Suzuki Alto
    Suzuki Swift
    Toyota Avensis Saloon
    Volkswagen California
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    Volkswagen Touareg
    Volvo S60
    Volvo V60

    RSS Feed

© WELSH MOTORING WRITERS 2023