Edward Makana of BMW describes the 3 GT as the future of the growth market, as, he says, clients want not only a classic-looking car, but also a car that is stylish and functional. BMW has succeeded in this with the BMW 3 GT. Not only is it stylish, modern and a luxury vehicle, but it is also a multipurpose passenger vehicle that can remain in service for longer periods because of its versatility. It has more space between the front and back seats than my wife’s Jaguar XJ6. Let those back seats down and you have a cavernous space for the kids to play soccer in! Perhaps I am getting a bit ahead of myself with the description of spaciousness, but this is probably one of the things that truly makes this 3 GT different and a definite vehicle to consider for people with a young family right up to having to transport teenagers.

 

As is the norm with BMW, there is no uncertainty when seeing the BMW from the front – with its broader kidney-shaped grill or the back with its castaway L-shape lights – that this is a true thoroughbred BMW. From the side, the sleek coupé line gives it a long, sloping look that is pleasing to the eye. The interior is spacious, well laid out, and as elegant as any lounge, especially with the two-tone options that are available. To ensure that you really get what you want, there are three models for discerning buyers: Sport Line with its distinctive red-line trim; Modern, with its two-tone trim; and then the top of the range Luxury model. Later, an M sport package will complete the range. What also impressed me is the Connected Drive System with its innovative Infotainment capability via an iPhone 5. You can listen to any radio station, and, given the optional extras, can watch movies, search for movies, check out Facebook and Twitter, update your meeting schedule, and many more things that are simply beyond my age capability. All this leaves me wondering if offices are going to become obsolete or maybe BMW can market it as a form of mobile office space. Jokes aside, the possibilities are endless.

 

Driving the 3 GT is but a pleasure, as all the derivatives are responsive to power input. It handles exceptionally well through tight turns and has power enough not to lose momentum when going uphill. Both the six-speed manual models and the eight-speed Sport automatic transmission make for smooth up or down shifts and are quick to respond when using either the gear lever or the shift paddles. I found that the tyres on certain vehicles – and not the mirrors or the car body – emitted the most noise. Driving on wet gravel really proved to me that the 3 GT is at ease on any surface you may have to drive on. The multifunction steering wheel is once again functional and has all the important functions right where you need them. It feels good and responds to the run-flat tyres, which have locking bolts on them to make sure you keep your lovely alloy wheels. Of course, there is also a state-of–the-art alarm system with radio remote-control help to secure your 3 GT. Reversing is made easy with the rear-view camera. Further, all the models have start /stop functions to ensure good fuel consumption.

 

Other standard equipment includes floor mats, a warning triangle and first aid kit, an automatic antidazzle interior mirror, a smoker’s package, seat adjustment – which is electric with memory for the driver’s seat, storage compartment package, front retractable armrests, front fog lamps, a rain sensor, automatic headlight control, automatic air conditioning with microfilter, cruise control with brake function, an emergency-release luggage compartment, Area Code 2 for DVD, automatic lock when driving away, a sump guard, preparation for a trailer tow hitch, and daytime driving lights which can be selected from the lights menu. Motorplan is included in the selling price of all new BMWs and is 5 years/100 000km. A Motorplan maintenance contract with BMW On Call (in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland only) is also available. Lastly, there is a two-year warranty with unlimited mileage. As can be seen, the list of standard equipment is impressive, but, believe it or not, the optional extras – which we had on all of the models that we drove – can easily add another R200 000 plus to the cars.

 

Optional Equipment

• Light alloy wheels

• Adaptive M suspension

• Variable Sport steering

• Comfort Access

• Panorama-glass sliding/tilting sunroof, electrically operated

• Interior and exterior mirrors with automatic antidazzle function

• Sport seats for driver and front passenger

• Lumbar support for driver and front passenger (electrically adjustable)

• Seat heating for driver and front passenger

• Interior-trim finishers

• Aluminium, finely brushed, lengthwise

• Highlight-trim finishers

• Coral Red matt

• Headlamp washer system

• Park Distance Control (PDC), front and rear

• Xenon headlights

• Adaptive headlights

• Extended Light Package

• Additional 12V power sockets

• High Beam Assist

• Lane Departure Warning; Lane Change Warning

• Active Protection

• Surround View

• Park Assist

• Navigation System, Professional

• Head-up Display (not with grey shade-band windscreen)

• Internet preparation

• Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System

• BMW Live

• Apps

• Instrument cluster with extended contents

• High-gloss Satin Chrome

• Anthracite roof lining

• Sport Line

• Speed Limit Info

• and much, much more!

 

The prices are modest for the 3 GT, until you add the optional items – and then you start to think again.

 

335i Gran Turismo

• Cylinders/valves:    6/4

• Capacity (cc):    2 979

• Maximum power (kW/rpm):    225/5 800–6 000

• Maximum torque (Nm/rpm):    400/1 200–5 000

• Fuel consumption (combined):    7.7l/100km

• CO2 emissions:    178g/km

• Base price:    R595 000

 

328i Gran Turismo

• Cylinders/valves:    4/4

• Capacity (cc):    1 997

• Maximum power (kW/rpm):    180/5 000–6 500

• Maximum torque (Nm/rpm):    350/1 250–4 800

• Fuel consumption (combined):    6.4l/100km

• CO2 emissions:    149g/km

• Base price:        R488 500

 

320i Gran Turismo

• Cylinders/valves:    4/4

• Capacity (cc):    1 997

• Maximum power (kW/rpm):    135/5 000–6 250

• Maximum torque (Nm/rpm):    270/1 250–4 500

• Fuel consumption (combined):    6.2l/100km

• CO2 emissions:    145g/km

• Base price:    R410 500

 

320d Gran Turismo

• Cylinders/valves:    4/4

• Capacity (cc):    1 995

• Maximum power (kW/rpm):    135/4 000

• Maximum torque (Nm/rpm):    380/1 750–2 750

• Fuel consumption (combined):    4.9l/100km

• CO2 emissions:    129g/km

• Base price:    R439 000

 

I cannot fault BMW on the 3 GT, and, as far as I am concerned, it will have a substantial following, as it is a luxury, yet very functional, vehicle that will cater to a much broader spectrum of potential clients. Naturally, it has the usual German quality and dependability that are so important in our motoring world that we live in. My personal choice is again the BMW 320d Gran Turismo, and, though I could not achieve the fuel consumption specified, it still gave me a very respectable 6.4 l/100km.