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The BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo (GT) will be built, according to the firm’s CEO.

There had been doubt over whether the BMW 3-Series GT would be made due to the global recession, but BMW says the niche model will sit between the 3-Series touring and the new X1.

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said: “We haven't cancelled the crossover of the 3-Series, as it is considered a volume builder with which we can earn good money.”

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Is this just a 3 series for people who actually consider themselves to be too boring to buy the saloon, estate, or 4x4? Or maybe it's for people who like to think of themselves as 'different', or 'whacky'.  I imagine they wear Homer Simpson ties on dress down days at their offices.  I really just don't get why you would buy this, or the 5 series GT, or them Golf Plus things as well for that matter.  Maybe I'm just strange...

Another pointless model from BMW.......

I'm all for choice and variety in the market place, but, as with 5-series GT, I can't see what this new model can do that the 3-series Touring can't do at least as well, if not better.

Autocar:

There had been doubt over whether the BMW 3-Series GT would be made due to the global recession, but BMW says the niche model will sit between the 3-Series touring and the new X1.

 

Surely the 3-Series GT should sit between the 3-series Coupe and the Z4.

If they are going to make a jacked-up hatch they can call it the 3-Series +

Don't say this too loudly, but it's just a 3-series hatchback with its price raised as artificially as its ride height is...

Exactly ! looks horrid but the marketing men will be rubbing their hands with glee at how much they can overprice this for school run poseurs.

 I'm reminded of a remark made by someone at Porsche some time ago, "Models like the Cayenne exist to fund development of cars like the 911..." or something along those lines.

 What chance of the 3/5-series GT paving the way for a new M3 CSL?
 

Not surprised by this at all- I think we're going to see a lot more of these 'niche' vehicles over the coming years as there's clearly a market for them otherwise BMW wouldn't be investing in them.

 My only concern is whether they'll see a return in the investment. My feeling is that the sort of people buying these cars will be existing BMW owner's looking to change to something different. In that respect they won't be generating new sales and factoring in the huge investment costs will mean they actually lose money. Of course, I hope I'm wrong on this.

ruggerbugger:

My only concern is whether they'll see a return in the investment. My feeling is that the sort of people buying these cars will be existing BMW owner's looking to change to something different. In that respect they won't be generating new sales and factoring in the huge investment costs will mean they actually lose money. Of course, I hope I'm wrong on this.

You've got a good point there. I quite like the idea of a 3 series GT, more so than I like the 5 series GT which is a tad bulky. I even like the styling (well the front) on the 3 series. I do get a little tired of all these niches though - or are we into niches of niches?

Whether it's a good car or not, it's still just a 3 series hatchback (as somone else mentioned), except BMW couldn't possibly call it that.

whats with bmw and these 'mutant' models!?! X6, 5 GT and now the decent 3 series gets ruined with a GT !

 It's funny isn't it. People complain that cars are bland and all the same, yet as soon as a manufacturer tries something a little bit different that offers the consumer a bit more choice (5GT, 3GT, X6, Golf Plus, Multipla), there's a queue of people waiting to hammer it with more complaints of "pointless" or "ugly", and requests that they stick to churning out more of the same old saloons, hatchbacks and estates. You just can't win. Are people so resistant to change that they can't tolerate the idea that BMW might want to produce a hatchback variant of the 3 Series to go along with the saloon and estate?

More choice is good. I'd quite like the choice of a powerful RWD hatchback over the fleets of low powered front wheel drives that are already around.