BMW touts 3-series GT as sporty but practical car
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MUNICH -- BMW today said it will unveil the 3-series GT at next month's Geneva auto show. The company is promoting the car as a practical yet sleek-looking variant of its 3-series lineup.
The 3-series GT is longer, wider and taller than the 3-series Touring station wagon on which it is based. BMW said the 3-series GT aims to offer the "dynamic, sporting" qualities of the 3-series sedan with the "practicality and versatility" of the wagon.
The car will arrive in showrooms in Europe and the United States around June with prices starting at 36,150 euros ($49,000) in Germany, 1,800 euros more than the 3-series Touring. U.S. prices have not been announced.
The 3-series GT will be BMW's first model to have an active rear spoiler that extends automatically when the car reaches 110 km/h (68 mph).
In Europe, the car will be sold with a choice of three gasoline and two diesel engines. U.S. market models will offer two gasoline engines: a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder unit or an inline 3.0-liter, six-cylinder powerplant. Both will be mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
BMW said the 3-series GT will offer the driver and passengers a higher seating position and extra legroom compared with the 3-series sedan. It has 25 liters (1 cubic foot) more trunk space than the 3-series wagon.
BMW first entered the niche for practical sporty models with the larger 5-series GT launched in 2009.
You can reach Paul McVeigh at pmcveigh@crain.com.
