BMW 3-Series GT Images Leaked Ahead of Official Debut [Updated Gallery]

It seems that the image of the new BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo we posted yesterday was legit, as it is included in a fresh batch of official pictures that somehow, found their way out of Munich and onto the web.

Following the example of the 5-Series GT, which started this trend for BMW, the 3-Series GT is a five-door liftback version of the brand’s compact luxury saloon aimed at buyers who want a more practical variant of the 3-Series and, for some reason, won’t settle with the Touring estate.

Anyways, the 3-Series GT adopts the two-piece tailgate design that debuted in the 5 GT, admittedly managing to make it look less ungainly. According to info from British publication Autocar, the changes made by BMW‘s designers and engineers are more than skin-deep.

That’s because the GT is around 200 mm longer than the 3-Series Touring on which it is based, with 110 mm of that increase being accounted for by the stretched wheelbase. It’s also around 80 mm taller and 20 mm wider measuring 1,510 and 1,830 mm in height and width respectively and its 520-lt trunk is 20 lt larger than the Touring’s (with the rear seats up).

The bigger dimensions will offer a more spacious cabin. According to insider info, the rear-seat passengers will have as much as 70 mm extra legroom at their disposal, while the driving position has been elevated by 60 mm to increase visibility.

Although we’ll have to wait for the official announcement for the full engine line-up, we anticipate that it will mirror that of the existing 3-Series versions with a wide range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines combined with six-speed manual or 8-speed auto transmissions and rear- or all-wheel drive.

By Andrew Tsaousis

Story References: Autowp via Automonthly

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