[SCOTT26]

Actually ,F30 3er comes first it will be officially announced in November in London - due to BMW's association with the 2012 olympics where BMW will also showcase their latest models in a specially built pavillion during the duration of the olympics, as well as being official vehicle sponsor.

F30 Public debut will be at the Geneva show in March coinciding with the European on sale date. An Active Hybrid 3 as a Concept will be shown at Geneva. The Touring will be revealed afterwards and debut at the AMI in Leipzig. Home to the largest 3er Touring market, Germany.
@ the Beijing autoshow BMW will unveil the China only 3erLi.

3er Touring will go on sale in Europe in September 2012.
US sales of the F30 sedan begin that Summer. F31 3er Touring is not coming to the US Market.

3er Gran Turismo is best described as a new level of luxury in the Premium entry class with the class leading sporting dynamics of a 3er.

The interior will offer something similar to the 5er GT , showcasing a roomy cabin (thanks to the China planned F30 3er Li Platform) and a lounge like environment.
Currently , there is no such concept like this within the Premium Entry class. You have Coupe's and Sportback's , but nothing like this.

What customers like about the 5er Gran Turismo is that it is not a Variant , it has it's own identity and stands out from the regular 5er.
3er Gran Turismo will follow the exact path.
With the 5er Gran Turismo the greater majority of customers never had a BMW before and are new to the brand , it is hoped 3er Gran Turismo will do the exact same.

Because the 2.0 Twin Power Turbo four and Twin Turbo diesel are candidates for this car it should do very well , especially for someone who wants more flexibility and individuality with their luxury.

You will see the 3er Gran Turismo in the near future just as you first saw the 5er Gran Turismo... As a Concept Car before arriving in the market in early 2013.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by southlight

Who am I to disagree with Scott, but I doubt this is true. We know that the E90 will be out of production later this year, so the F30 debut is set for Spring 2012. A 6 month difference would mean the 3GT launches this Fall, and the disguise level of current prototypes alone suggests otherwise. We should have seen FEP cars of the 3GT by now if that was true, like it is the case for the F20 1-series hitting the (European) streets later this year.

All this makes me believe that the F30 will debut first.


Best regards,
south

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Actually ,F30 3er comes first it will be officially announced in November in London - due to BMW's association with the 2012 olympics where BMW will also showcase their latest models in a specially built pavillion during the duration of the olympics, as well as being official vehicle sponsor.

F30 Public debut will be at the Geneva show in March coinciding with the European on sale date. An Active Hybrid 3 as a Concept will be shown at Geneva. The Touring will be revealed afterwards and debut at the AMI in Leipzig. Home to the largest 3er Touring market, Germany.
@ the Beijing autoshow BMW will unveil the China only 3erLi.

3er Touring will go on sale in Europe in September 2012.
US sales of the F30 sedan begin that Summer. F31 3er Touring is not coming to the US Market.

3er Gran Turismo is best described as a new level of luxury in the Premium entry class with the class leading sporting dynamics of a 3er.

The interior will offer something similar to the 5er GT , showcasing a roomy cabin (thanks to the China planned F30 3er Li Platform) and a lounge like environment.
Currently , there is no such concept like this within the Premium Entry class. You have Coupe's and Sportback's , but nothing like this.

What customers like about the 5er Gran Turismo is that it is not a Variant , it has it's own identity and stands out from the regular 5er.
3er Gran Turismo will follow the exact path.
With the 5er Gran Turismo the greater majority of customers never had a BMW before and are new to the brand , it is hoped 3er Gran Turismo will do the exact same.

Because the 2.0 Twin Power Turbo four and Twin Turbo diesel are candidates for this car it should do very well , especially for someone who wants more flexibility and individuality with their luxury.

You will see the 3er Gran Turismo in the near future just as you first saw the 5er Gran Turismo... As a Concept Car before arriving in the market in early 2013.

WHEW! You know I misread scott's post I think, much relieved that the F30 Sedan gets the proper respect and comes first

[M3V10]

i don't see the point of a GT version

[Fozzy]

Originally Posted by esquire

This looks more like a volvo than it does a BMW.

exactly!

[cgaffney004]

That is hideous.. As long as they keep making the sedan version then i will be happy

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by 335audioman

Considering that the 5 series GT is a terrible seller, I don't get this either.

The last picture, which is also the best of the sketches, is probably the closest as well. There's something very BMW about it that the others seem to either exaggerate or completely deviate from.

Even though we hated the X6--the car that answered the question that nobody asked in a time that nobody dared ask anyways--it's actually selling well, and sold out in it's first year (http://www.worldcarfans.com/10805091...x6-is-sold-out).

The GT models are inherently American-marketed models. So BMW thought that introducing the 5-series GT with a more expensive ad-campaign in America would spark the interest of women ages 34-55 (a la Catherine Malandrino, who spearheaded the campaign), married, with or without and no more than two kids, an expensive champagne-like taste, and the desire NOT to drive a station wagon, which is exactly what this "niche-filler" does. BMW pulled the 5-series wagon, a car I had and loved dearly, because in it's last year of production in 2010, it sold just over 900 units. It was an expensive car without enough "cool" to justify it. So rather than keep the wagon and cut costs, why not introduce a glamour-focused model at the same price point? It's only unfortunate that it's not the prettiest car; it's a fantastic car, though.

This 3-series is only a little different. BMW is, admittedly, pulling the 3-series wagon from the lineup when the F30 makes its debut, as the company has recently released its new, refreshed X3. The GT will follow the F30 debut, if not immediately, and its purpose will be the same, to fill the wagon niche, except here it does not cater to the 34-55 year-old, Barney's-goer/Art dealer, it caters to anyone who would typically buy a 3 series, but who needs the extra space without the glam soccer mom attitude. Give it time. BMW does, in fact, listen to everyone whine about the problems, and they do fix them. Why would they introduce the 3-series GT with the same ungainly style attitude as the 5-series GT?

[Meltyblend]

Hmm... Looks odd

[MUFCbmwbear]

Hope this will flow more like the Audi A7 and less like the 5er GT.

[JOE YOUNG]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

I agree to both your points. All the while it appears that R&D money is being wasted on low volume sellers such as a semi-SUV the GT. We would rather see BMW spend money on the regular 3 series and X3, then on pointless cars.

Also I believe they are working on a Z2, but haven't heard much about it lately.

NO MATE ,there is a point. If you look at other manufacturers cars, they have hatchbacks,and we can see loads of them around.this is for people who want to have loads of space at the boot but dont want a wagon.so its agood gamble for bmw imo

[Slidewayz]

Yuck. Looks like a Dodge Charger.

[Mako]

This would look much better if they got rid of that lip on the rear bumper, its like having a spoiler on the car, remove it and have a cleaner slope, it would look much better. Also if the trunk was just a couple inches longer (and again without that upper lip) I think it would make the car flow a lot better, still be smaller than a 5 but more practical than a 3 Sedan.

Doesn't really matter to me as I would only buy the M version and it appears that idea has been canned.

[rjs]

I heard they were going to badge this as a 4 series

[mkoesel]

Whoever told you that is getting their stories mixed up. It is the Gran Coupe model that could theoretically be badged a 4 series. The Gran Turismo will be a 3 series, though as SCOTT has made clear it will have its own distinct bodywork from the sedan/touring just like the F07 5GT vs the F10/F11 5 series.

Originally Posted by rjs

I heard they were going to badge this as a 4 series

[ihyln]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

THERE WONT BE AN M 3er GRAN TURISMO, M-SPORT PACKET- PROBABLY BUT NO FULL M.

So stop getting hysterical.



As I have mentioned on countless occasions. M3 Sedan is not meeting sales targets , Plans for the M3 brand expansion aside from Coupe and Cabrio continues in related 3er platforms - X3M and very probably 3er Gran Coupe which will replace the M3 Sedan with an M Variant with four doors. 3er Gran Coupe like the 6er Gran Coupe is a 3er coupe with extra doors, several inches lower than the sedan.

There will not be a 3er GT M. So Relax.

Contrary to the enthusiast population... BMW does know what it is doing..

X3M? Have you guys lost your minds? I saw nothing related to the marketing of the M3 sedan. I will feverishly defend it because quite frankly it is the best 4 door sports car on this planet currently. Calling it a failure in sales due to your inability or indifference towards marketing it is a misnomer.

[Jake C]

"The only thing constant is change" I understand it and I think ultimately it will be for the best. Especially if it leads to BMW (USA) bringing us more BMW models or variants (ie 123d, 535d, etc...) that were only available elsewhere or leads to a more fuel efficient fleet so we can enjoy cars like the M3, M5, M6, etc..


- J

[jocamryn]

BMW Blog says the GT will be a 4 series....to 'separate' it from the normal 3ers.

[mkoesel]

Like many other media outlets, BMW Blog has confused the 3 Gran Turismo with the 3 Gran Coupe.

Originally Posted by jocamryn

BMW Blog says the GT will be a 4 series....to 'separate' it from the normal 3ers.

[jocamryn]

That Grand Coupe '4 series' is a baby 6er. Me likes. And it will be a step above the 3er. More status.

[JaysBlueE92]

Originally Posted by jocamryn

That Grand Coupe '4 series' is a baby 6er. Me likes. And it will be a step above the 3er. More status.

so they'll treat you better at the dealer right? Man I cant believe you're still posting

[jocamryn]

BUt anything below '4' I'll look down at it... Get over yourself

[JaysBlueE92]

Originally Posted by jocamryn

BUt anything below '4' I'll look down at it... Get over yourself

gimme a break..still lol'ing at your sig..think you need to get over yourself bud

[Platfawrm]

Looks like a Dodge/Chevy... I hope they change up the lights/grille.