BMW 3-Series GT spotted testing in India

Just days after the first reports about BMW India possibly launching the 3-Series GT at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo emerged, a camouflaged version of the car was spotted testing at Pune. The BMW 3-Series GT is a larger version of the 3-Series sedan, and the car's larger dimensions make for additional space on the interiors. A taller seating position, additional head room and design that is coupe-like are the other major highlights of the 3-Series GT model. 

Along with the greater space on the inside, the car is also expected to get a more powerful turbo diesel engine in the form of the 3 liter-straight six motor, good for 254 Bhp-560 Nm. The larger engine is expected to make up for the additional 200 kilograms that the 3-Series' GT version lugs around. The base variant will continue with the 2 liter turbo diesel motor that outputs 184 Bhp-380 Nm. Both engines will drive the rear wheels of the car through the 8 speed automatic gearbox.

Start-stop and brake energy regeneration will be the standard fuel economy boosting measures on this car. The BMW 3-Series GT will be imported into India through the completely built unit (CBU) route. The depreciating rupee and high import duty on CBUs means that the on road price of the 3 GT could hit the 50 lakh rupee mark in many parts of India. At that price level, the 3-Series GT might have a limited pool of buyers. 

Based on this year's half yearly sales figures, BMW India has been relegated to third place at the hustings, with Audi India and Mercedes Benz taking the first two places respectively. Therefore, the German luxury car maker, a global sales leader, needs exciting products to win back mind and market share in India. The 3-Series GT could be one such effort at unconventional-ness, tailor made for a niche segment of buyers who're expected to go ahead and extol the practical virtues of such a car to other prospective buyers.

BMW has also entered the entry-level luxury car segment in India with the recent launch of the 1-Series hatchback. Available in both petrol and diesel engined variants, the 1-Series is the least priced BMW to be sold in India. The car competes with the likes of the Mercedes Benz A-Class and B-Class hatchbacks, and the Audi Q3 Sport in terms of price and positioning. The 1-Series is CKD assembled at BMW India's Chennai factory. 

Spyshots courtesy AutoTracker on Facebook