BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine bookings open today
11th Jan 2021 10:15 am
Bookings for the long-wheelbase 3 Series have commenced 10 days before the model goes on sale; booking amount set at Rs 50,000.
Bookings for the long-wheelbase 3 Series have commenced 10 days before the model goes on sale; booking amount set at Rs 50,000.
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Before the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine goes on sale in India on January 21, bookings have commenced today, for a Rs 50,000 amount. India is the first right-hand drive market to get the long-wheelbase (LWB) 3 Series, which will act as a replacement for the soon-to-be discontinued 3 Series Gran Turismo.
The first 50 buyers who book the 3 Series long-wheelbase via BMW’s website before 12pm on January 21 (the launch date) will receive a complimentary BMW Comfort Package worth Rs 1 lakh. The package includes a coat hanger and a 10.9-inch iPad AIR prefixed in the car.
BMW will offer the 3 Series Gran Limousine in two variants – Luxury Line and M Sport; the latter looks a bit sportier and gets more equipment than the former trim. In Luxury Line form, there will be four exterior colour options – Carbon Black metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Melbourne Red metallic and Mineral White metallic. 17-inch V-spoke alloy wheels are standard on this lower-spec variant.
While the 3 Series Gran Limousine M Sport is available with the same four colours, it gets larger 18-inch dual-spoke alloy wheels.
While a quick glance at the standard and long-wheelbase 3 Series won’t reveal much in the way of differences – they share the same front- and rear-end and even the same alloy wheels – a closer look will show a longer rear door panel.
This is due to the extra 110mm in the wheelbase (up from the standard car’s 2,851mm). In fact, the long-wheelbase version is also 120mm longer overall and slightly taller too, though the width is unchanged.
There aren’t many visible changes on the inside either, other than colour options for the cabin. The major difference comes from the longer wheelbase – there’s 43mm more legroom for rear passengers compared to the standard 3 Series, and the seats are better cushioned and bolstered as well.
The 3 Series Gran Limousine’s equipment list is similar to equivalent variants of the standard wheelbase model. Expect top-spec trims to come with LED headlights and tail-lights, a panoramic sunroof, interior mood lighting, multi-zone climate control, an 8.8-inch touchscreen with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system and much more.
The 3 Series LWB will share the 258hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (330Li) and the 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit (320Ld) with the standard model, along with the 8-speed torque convertor automatic.
Considering the standard wheelbase 3 Series is priced between Rs 42.30-49.30 lakh* (ex-showroom, India) and BMW announcing a hike in prices across the range, the 3 Series LWB will cost a bit more.
This means that while the 3 Series Gran Limousine won’t face any direct competition, it’ll serve as an alternative to the recently launched Audi A4 facelift, the Mercedes-Benz C-class and the Jaguar XE. Volvo’s next-gen S60 is also expected to arrive by March to contend in this segment.
*As on November 26, 2020
Also see:
BMW M5 Competition review, test drive
2020 BMW X6 review, test drive
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