BMW is reportedly going to kill off the 3-Series Gran Turismo, the more practical, slightly taller, longer, and roomier hatchback version of BMW’s bread and butter sedan. Apparently, there is no longer a justification to make a new one as its slot in the range will be filled by new SUV models.
Australia’s Motoring talked to BMW’s global development chief, Klaus Frohlich, on the sidelines of the 2018 Paris motor show and in the context of an all-new 3-Series being launched at the venue.
He concluded by saying "this segment is under pressure from SUVs, which are having no disadvantage in fuel consumption or in ride and handling. So There are seven or eight 3 and 4 Series derivatives. You can do ten derivatives, but you will not sell more,”
What he’s basically saying is that the 3 GT never really sold particularly well and that the people who want the taller vehicle with more space and practicality can just get an SUV instead.
It might look like the rendering I made for the purpose of illustrating this article and also because I was actually one of the few people who really liked the 3 GT - I understood what BMW was trying to do with it: to offer crossover space and practicality, but with the look and feel of a sedan... or hatchback. I think that while SUVs and crossover make many people fairly happy, the 3 GT made a few people very happy indeed and it’s a bit of a shame it isn’t getting a follow-up.
Further reading
Read our full review on the 2019 BMW 3 Series.
Read our full review on the 2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.