Tuesday 1st April 2014

BMW M3 GT - confirmed

Family friendly M variant extends BMW's niche-filling obsession

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True to say when the BMW 3 Series GT first broke cover it wasn't met with PH approval. In fact, we stated in the headline we rather wish it had remained under wraps...

But BMW's apparently unending desire to fill every automotive niche possible - see yesterday's X7 announcement for proof - has taken the M division into unexpected territory and created a family-friendly variant of the M3 we never thought we'd see. Yes, the 3 Series GT will get its very own M3 variant. So if the M3 saloon is too dull, the M4 name for the coupe just doesn't pluck the heartstrings and you can't see the point of its Gran Coupe derivative but need a bit more space this is the M3 for you.

Details are scarce so far, extending to just this one leaked image. But as you can see, the signature quad tailpipes are in place and beneath the bonnet we'd expect the same 431hp twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. M sources have apparently hinted at four-wheel drive for a more family friendly application of all that power, powerslides apparently not the done thing on the school run, not that anyone told us this before. Ahem.

[civicduty]

01.....April.....2014?

[ghibbett]

Seriously???

[matrignano]

Nice!
You should ask for one of those rather than the M4 you're getting

[civicduty]

I also thought the X7 announcement was a day early too!!

[drewbagz]

So as it stands the dog can now come but it may bump it's head on the boot every time you develop a lead foot. Why not make an M3 Estate whereby it would no doubt be far prettier (to my eyes at least) than the GT, you could actually use it for a family holiday and the dog can come without the risk of getting a concussion. Win Win surely?!?

[Devil2575]

April fools day surely

[Captainawesome]

going by BMW's sprawling range I almost believed this.

[AngryPartsBloke]

I Know it's April 1st but, you can never really tell with BMW nowadays.

I saw a 4 door 6 series at the Rugby on Saturday....

[is1]

drewbagz said:

So as it stands the dog can now come but it may bump it's head on the boot every time you develop a lead foot. Why not make an M3 Estate whereby it would no doubt be far prettier (to my eyes at least) than the GT, you could actually use it for a family holiday and the dog can come without the risk of getting a concussion. Win Win surely?!?

They will give you every niche but the one you want/need.
Maybe they have forgotten and actually believe they have already ticked the M3 Touring off their list.

[Monty Python]

Captainawesome said:

going by BMW's sprawling range I almost believed this.

This story isn't new:

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/bmw-evaluating-...

[drewbagz]

is1 said:

drewbagz said:

So as it stands the dog can now come but it may bump it's head on the boot every time you develop a lead foot. Why not make an M3 Estate whereby it would no doubt be far prettier (to my eyes at least) than the GT, you could actually use it for a family holiday and the dog can come without the risk of getting a concussion. Win Win surely?!?

They will give you every niche but the one you want/need.
Maybe they have forgotten and actually believe they have already ticked the M3 Touring off their list.

I just don't see the commercial sense in creating an M version of a car which you may only ever see in a BMW dealer forecourt. Let's hope and pray that a) they don't feel they have ticked the M3 Touring off their list, and b) this is indeed an April fools joke.

Nothing like a bit of Bavarian sense of humour.

[AyBee]

AngryPartsBloke said:

I Know it's April 1st but, you can never really tell with BMW nowadays.

I saw a 4 door 6 series at the Rugby on Saturday....

A 5 series?

I know there is a 4 door 6 series

[Mermaid]

Joke or not, they will sell many of these if it goes into production. If BMW made turds, there would be a market for them.

[civicduty]

Monty Python said:

This story isn't new:

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/bmw-evaluating-...

I cannot upload images as I am at work, but look at picture 4 in this link and then tell me what was photoshopped to make it in to an M3GT thingy. Absolutely no prizes for the most correct answers.

[BlackPorker]

Bad photochop. Must try harder next 1st April.

[griffdude]

Dear BMW, please make a TOURING version. Not this GT rubbish.

[tram50]

Looks like a BMW Zzzzzzz.... Individuality is becoming a thing of the past.

[Robert Burns]

Thank god its April fools, would be the biggest flop ever!

[cramorra]

better april fools joke, please-
poor photo montage as brake air vent goes into mock up bigger wheelarches and exhaust looks deary aftermarket (far bigger than on M3/4)
a bit more effort, please

[cookie1600]

So just a van and pick-up in each range/size to complete the set then?