BMW is launching its new 3 Series flagship model on 15 June: the 3 Series Gran Turismo.
Like the 5 Series Gran Turismo range above it, the 3 Series Gran Turismo is larger than both the 3 Series saloon and Touring estate models.
It is 200mm longer than the Touring model, and features an electrically operated tailgate to reveal a load bay of 520 litres which extends to 1600 litres when the rear seats are folded down. For comparison, the 3 Series Touring has a boot area of 495 litres extending to 1500 litres.
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Not only is the Gran Turismo more capacious, there is greater headroom, a higher seating position and vastly improved seating space in the rear: + 75mm over the Touring.
At launch there are two engines that are most likely to appeal to business owners and company car drivers: the 143hp 318d and 184hp 320d, with CO2 emissions of 119g/km and 129g/km respectively.
There are also three petrol engines – 320i, 328i and 330i. Prices start at £28,830 for the 320i SE Gran Turismo and are between £1300-£1600 more than equivalent 3 Series Touring models.
The 318d SE Gran Turismo costs £29,910 and can achieve 62.8mpg fuel economy, while the 320d SE Gran Turismo costs £31,310 (57.6mpg).
“We think the greater rear legroom, higher seating position and the practicality of the boot area will appeal to SME business users,” said Natasha Newman, product operations manager, BMW.
The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo model range starts with SE and then moves up to either Sport or Modern for an additional £1000. Luxury model trim costs an additional £2000.
In July BMW will launch the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo M Sport version, which will cost an additional £2200 over the SE model.
“We expect the most popular model with company car buyers to be the M Sport version when it launches,” added Natasha.
In terms of company car tax, a BMW 318d SE Gran Turismo will qualify for the 18% company car tax band for 2013/14.
A 20% tax payer will pay £90 a month in company car tax; a 40% tax payer £179 a month.
“BMW engineers concentrated hard on ensuring that corporate and company car drivers would benefit from the lowest CO2 possible, getting the emissions down to 119g/km, with all the benefit in kind advantages that brings,” added Natasha.
Read our BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo car review
Click here: BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo car review – like a 3 Series, but bigger