BMW 3 series gran turismo debuts at 2013 geneva motor show

BMW 3 series gran turismo debuts at 2013 geneva motor showimage courtesy BMW group

making its world debut at the 2013 geneva international motor show, the new BMW 3 series gran turismo independently conceptualizes and embodies a unique reinterpretation of the need for space and functionality within the BMW 3 series range. producing an output of 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of tourque from its 3.0 liter V6 in-line engine, the sports GT accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) with its optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.

like it’s older sibling; the 5 series GT – the third body variant provides an additional 4.3 inch increase in its wheelbase, with 7.9 inches of added length and 3.2 inches of height to ensure optimal functionality and driving comfort. combining the sedan’s sporting genes with the practicality and versatility of the touring version, an increase in boot space maximizes usable storage spaceand interior footprint.

BMW 3 series gran turismo front 3/4 contextimage courtesy BMW group

typical BMW proportions like its four doors with frameless windows, a coupe-style, gently downward-sloping roofline and a large, automatically opening and closing tailgate define the distinctive exterior character of the 3 series gran turismo. an active rear spoiler – the first of its type on a BMW – provides visual lightness and reduces lift at touring speeds.

BMW 3 series gran turismo rear 3/4 contextimage courtesy BMW group

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interview: karim habib: head of BMW design

karim habib has been in charge of BMW design since june 2012. the lebanon-born canadian heads a team of designers and developers working to constantly enhance and redevelop the designs of current and future BMW models. a sophisticated designer who grew up in five countries with vastly different cultures, he is committed to the idea of evolving design and is always striving to expand his range of skills. to this end, he doesn’t merely apply himself to his immediate field; he also appreciates the more technical aspects of his work. the art of continuous self-improvement is one he developed early on as a member of the canadian u-20 national fencing team and has put to use in various roles throughout his career. apart from a short absence of two years, he has been part of the BMW design team since 1998.

for karim habib, consciously designing things is a means of expressing the desire to change the world according to his own values. this implies a close examination of both the product’s environment and each of its aspects, since these factors in turn have a decisive influence on the way he approaches his own environment. a pivotal moment in his career was the development of the BMW concept CS show car, which was masterminded by him and unveiled in 2007. for this concept study of a four-door gran turismo, the convex/concave bodywork, so-called flame surfacing, was toned down – a new departure that influenced subsequent models of the BMW fleet.

karim habib: head of BMW design with the 3 series gran turismo at 2013 geneva motor show image © designboom

BMW 3 series gran turismo front 3/4 at 2013 geneva motor showimage © designboom

BMW 3 series gran turismo front view at 2013 geneva motor show image © designboom

BMW 3 series gran turismo rear 3/4 view at 2013 geneva motor show image © designboom

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interview: adrian van hooydonk: senior vice president BMW group design

since february 2009, adrian van hooydonk has been in charge of all the design teams in the bmw group. this means he is responsible for the design of a large number of cars, motorcycles and other objects every year. hailing from the netherlands, he is known as an interdisciplinary and visionary thinker with a highly developed business sense. he has a commanding and stylish presence, but his basic attitude is one of candour. in the industry adrian van hooydonk has made a name for himself as a design manager, and his visions are considered groundbreaking.

as senior vice president bmw group design, adrian van hooydonk is working with a 500-strong team on the development of a keenly emotional and authentic design language. he considers his work a success if this language is appropriately decoded by the market and consequently accepted. in a unique design process, adrian van hooydonk succeeds in motivating his staff to achieve maximum creativity. in this role as “design coach” he formulates the setting of the task as broadly as possible. it is concept cars that grant the design chief the greatest room for creative manoeuvre; they give him the opportunity to spark off thought processes within the company as well as the general public.

adrian van hooydonk: senior vice president BMW group design with the 3 series gran turismo at 2013 geneva motor show image © designboom

BMW 3 series gran turismo front 3/4 contextimage courtesy BMW group

BMW 3 series gran turismo front 3/4 context image courtesy BMW group

BMW 3 series gran turismo front view parked image courtesy BMW group

the broad, powerful bmw kidney grille and modified front apron underline the car’s sporting character, while striking twin headlights with corona rings (if xenon headlights are specified) and led accent lights form a visual unit with the slightly forward-slanting kidneys and reinforce the sense of both width and presence. the visual focus of the front end further towards the road and gives the car a lower-slung and sportier feel. another identifying feature of the bmw 3 series gran turismo are the ‘blades’ set into the outer air intakes of the front apron.

BMW 3 series gran turismo front 3/4 drivers side view parked image courtesy BMW group

at 4,824 millimetres long, 1,489 millimetres tall, 1,828 millimetres wide and with a 2,920-millimetre wheelbase, the new 3 series gran turismo is notably larger all round than the sedan and touring variants of the 3 series range.

BMW 3 series gran turismo drivers side view parked image courtesy BMW group

powerful lines and taut surfaces sketch out an athletic body which lends the car an actively forward-surging purpose, as well as suggesting a high degree of functionality. BMW proportions and a coupe-style roofline sloping down towards the rear stretch the car’s silhouette, while powerfully taut surfaces and rising lines lend the flanks their inherent dynamic verve. the smooth transition of the roofline into the rear creates extra interior space while showcasing the car’s enviable functionality.

BMW 3 series gran turismo rear 3/4 passenger side view parked image courtesy BMW group

BMW 3 series gran turismo rear view parked image courtesy BMW group

rear of the gran turismo is highlighted by horizontal surfaces and lines emphasizing muscular width and unshakable road-holding. the wraparound section below the spoiler has an extremely flat appearance and visually lowers the stance of the rear. the interplay between light and shadowed surfaces generates a dynamism even when the car is stationary.

BMW 3 series gran turismo front headlight and grille detail at 2013 geneva motor show image © designboom

the silhouette of the headlights is larger than on the sedan. large air intakes below the headlights emphasize the sporting character of the car, as do the aerodynamically motivated apertures for the air curtains.

BMW 3 series gran turismo headlight detail view at 2013 geneva motor show image © designboom

BMW 3 series gran turismo rear spoiler detail image courtesy BMW group

the 3 series gran turismo is the brand’s first-ever model to sport an active rear spoiler. at lower speeds it retracts virtually out of sight, leaving barely a ripple in the coupe-style roofline.

BMW 3 series gran turismo open door context image courtesy BMW group

BMW 3 series gran turismo M line wheel and fender detail image courtesy BMW group

the entry-level version of the 3 series gran turismo is fitted ex-factory with high-quality light-alloy wheels and 225/55 R17 tyres. run-flat safety tyres – which, depending on driving style and load, allow the car to be driven a further 80 kilometres (50 miles) or more, even with a complete loss of tire pressure.

BMW 3 series gran turismo interior cabin overview image courtesy BMW group

the cockpit of the vehicle fits the same template as the 3 series sedan and touring. in customary fashion, the driver-focused layout ensures optimum access to all driving functions. crystal clear circular instruments with a black-panel display and a freestanding ‘iDrive monitor’ in contemporary flat-screen design underline the sense of functional elegance. the ‘iDrive controller’ – within easy reach on the centre console – and the optionally fore-and-aft sliding/folding armrest between the front seats underscore the cabin’s exceptional usability and comfort.

BMW 3 series gran turismo folding seats and spatial configuration image courtesy BMW group

at 520 litres, its boot capacity is up 25 litres on the 3 series touring – while an extra 70 millimetres of rear legroom place it between the 5 series and 7 series spatial footprint. ‘the focus of the interior is clearly on the rear compartment – here we wanted to create a totally new, spacious yet also cocooning ambience.’georg allmendinger, interior designer for the 3 series gran turismo.