Long wheelbase BMW 3 Series launched at Rs 51.5 lakh

BMW India today introduced the long-wheelbase version of its mainstream BMW 3 Series sedan with prices ranging from Rs 51.5 lakh to Rs 53.9 lakh ex-showroom, India.

Christened the 3 Series Gran Limousine, the sedan is the extended wheelbase version of the popular model which is being offered in both petrol and diesel engine options in the country. India is the sole market after China to get the long-wheelbase version of BMW’s sport sedan. According to BMW India, the car takes on the position of the longest and most spacious car in its segment and has been introduced in the market considering the clientele’s preference for long sedans.

The car offers an additional 110mm of wheelbase to liberate more room inside the cabin, especially in the rear to blend high levels of performance as well as comfort for chauffeur-driven owners. On the outside, the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine resembles its conventional sibling in terms of most design elements, which include a pair of sharp-looking LED headlamps upfront that flank the BMW kidney-bean grille. While the rear too offers an LED tail-lamp setup, the boot lid allows a completely automatic operation.

On the inside, there are comfort seats draped in vernasca leather along with a welcome light carpet and galvanic embellishes. A panoramic sunroof, ambient mood lighting and three-zone automatic climate control enhance the luxury quotient a bit further. The legroom available at the back sees an increase of 43mm over the regular sedan.

In terms of connectivity and infotainment, there is a 10.25-inch central control display that comes equipped with BMW Virtual Assistant and BMW Gesture Control functionalities. Alongside, there is BMW ConnectedDrive to offer connected-car tech, including 3D navigation and wireless pairing. The infotainment is paired with a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and also gets an add-on display in the form of the 12.3-inch driver’s instrument cluster.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine comes powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol that develops 258bhp and 400Nm or a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel that produces 190bhp and 400Nm. The engine comes mated to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and gets launch control and driving experience control switch to toggle between Eco, Comfort and Sport modes.

The car comes with dynamic stability control, corner braking control, attentiveness assistant and other active safety technologies along side getting six airbags.

According to Vikram Pawah, president, BMW Group India, “The 3 Series is the soul of the BMW brand and has won over millions of customers around the world and with its elongated design, enhanced space, and dynamic performance, the new BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine has a unique and captivating character. It delivers sheer driving pleasure and indulges in superlative luxury, making it a perfect choice for individuals as well as the family.”

“The Gran Limousine has been tailored with an innovative proposition that will attract young, progressive Indians who want a perfect combination of sporty performance and higher practicality for family usage in this segment,” he added.            

Aiming for growth
In a difficult 2020, which bore the serious brunt of the Covid-19 outbreak, BMW India was able to register cumulative sales of 6,604 units across the BMW and Mini brands. With 6,092 BMW and 512 Mini models, these numbers project at a 27 percent year-on-year sales de-growth in comparison to the previous year’s sales of 9,000 units.

Despite the weak performance, the company experienced strong demand for its UV products sold under its ‘X’ range, including models such as the BMW X1, X3, X5 and newly-launched X7. With the new 3 Series Gran Limousine, the company is looking at enhancing its growth with the unique model offering in the entry-level premium sedan segment.

While arch rival Mercedes-Benz India’s full CY2020 numbers are not yet in, the carmaker from Stuttgart had sold 5,009 units in first three quarters of the calendar, registering a 49 percent de-growth. The company too is in the process of introducing its A-Class limousine to the Indian customers sometime this year.