BMW’s 3 Collection Gran Limousine is the extensive-wheelbase variation of the company’s 3 Collection sedan. Elongated to give chauffeur-pushed travellers much more legroom in the back again – just like the now-discontinued 3 Collection GT – it is longer in beam, created on a stretched wheelbase and ideally suited for life in the Indian current market.
We know this because extensive-wheelbase luxurious autos get the job done nicely right here. Mercedes’ extensive-wheelbase E-Class for case in point at present exerts a stranglehold on its class, Skoda’s Outstanding is exclusively created on a extensive wheelbase for higher legroom in the back again and then the S-Class, 7 Collection and A8 are offered right here in extensive-wheelbase type only. Even SUVs like Merc’s GLE have benefited from remaining created on a longer wheelbase.
So giving Indian luxurious motor vehicle owners much more rear legroom obviously performs. Problem is, just how nicely will it get the job done for BMW’s 3 Collection a motor vehicle in any other case associated with higher driver engagement and driving satisfaction? Will the longer wheelbase let it to supply the ideal of equally worlds, or will stretching it dilute its unique driver targeted DNA also considerably? Let’s get began.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine design
On the facial area of it, and at initial glance, the Gran Limousine (or G28 as it is acknowledged internally) seems quite identical to the common 3 Collection (G20). In point, appear at it from the entrance and it is nearly not possible to convey to the common motor vehicle from the longer wheelbase one particular. Some variations have much more bling on the nose and other individuals get a blacked-out centre segment in the decrease bumper but these apart, the two are around equivalent when viewed head-on.
For a longer period rear doorways and a streched wheelbase length are key visible dissimilarities in between the common 3 Collection and Gran Limousine.
Search at it from the facet, nevertheless, and the 110mm longer wheelbase and the longer rear doorways stand out. BMW designers have performed a excellent job when it comes to integration. The roof, although flatter now, blends properly with the C-pillar, the extensive doorways really do not appear out of place, and even the general stance of the motor vehicle performs nicely. In point, if anything at all, the further length provides a sprint of elegance. And unlike Mercedes’ longer wheelbase E-Class, since the facet graphic continues to be the identical, there’s no interruption to the all-natural circulation of strains.
Prolonged-wheelbase 3 Collection will get rectanular exhuast pipes unlike the round ones on the common motor vehicle.
Pinpointing the Gran Limousine from the rear is fairly much easier. The most significant giveaway is that the extensive wheelbase motor vehicle will get rectangular exhaust recommendations, as against the round ones on the common 3 Collection and, get nearer, and there’s the L badge.
When it comes to practicality, nevertheless, the boot isn’t also large at 430 litres. You do get a spare tyre, neatly hid less than the boot floor and a run tail-gate also.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine platform
Designed and engineered primarily for the Chinese current market, the appropriate-hand travel variation of the G28 is the initial variation of the motor vehicle to go on sale outdoors of China. Measuring four.819 metres in length, it is distinctly longer than common 3 Collection. The Gran Limo will get a longer roof, longer doorways and a huge panoramic sunroof. Crafted on a stretched wheelbase, that actions 2.961 metres, BMW’s 3 Collection Gran Limousine also has substantially much more room for travellers in the back again. To help with the a lot less favourable ramp more than angle, because of to the longer wheelbase, the motor vehicle has also been lifted by 6mm, and to keep it in tune with the new much more comfort-oriented character, BMW has also softened the suspension. As is the situation with the extensive-wheelbase Mercedes E-Class, BMW is also probable to love a cost benefit when it comes to importing elements and parts for the motor vehicle from its plant in China.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine interior rear seat comfort
With its extensive rear doorways, quick entry and 43mm of further legroom, the rear of the Gran Limousine is right away welcoming. And settle into the seat and this 3 feels considerably much more at ease also. The seats are a little bit softer and much more loaded out as opposed to the common motor vehicle, thigh assist is as excellent as at any time and you are sat at a excellent peak. Also, since the seat is much more contoured, it even holds you in place a little bit far better. The genuine ace in the pack, nevertheless, is the reclined backrest, which in spite of remaining fastened, would seem to be established at just the appropriate angle. And the new ‘fuller’ headrests and re-aligned elbow relaxation allows as nicely.
Space and comfort amounts at the rear have improved significantly more than the common 3 Collection.
The central tunnel is large and it does come in the way of the middle passenger, but the huge sunroof over brightens up the cabin significantly, and what will make it truly feel even roomier and much more roomy is the point that the extensive facet home windows are substantial. BMW has even extra strips of temper lighting on the seat-backs, and these strips link properly with those on the doorway pads.
Ambient lighting strips not only on the rear doorway-pads but on the seat-backs as nicely.
Lacking at the rear on the Gran Limousine, nevertheless, are blinds. There is no rear blind, not even a handbook one particular, there are no blinds on the facet doorways and then, in spite of this remaining the coolest time of the year, the air-conditioning had to get the job done challenging to neat the cabin.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine interior design and features
People sat up entrance will uncover number of dissimilarities in between the common 3 Collection and this extensive-wheelbase motor vehicle. The supportive entrance seats are run, you get extendable thigh assist and acquiring the perfect driving position is quick. The open pore wooden inserts on the sprint are not polished as on the common 3 Collection and there are a couple of other small enhancements like acoustic glass and the new Cognac-coloured leather-based trim.
Other than new trim and a number of enhancements, there is certainly not that’s considerably various in the entrance of the cabin.
The Gran Limousine, nevertheless, does get a little bit much more chrome on the sprint and on the steering wheel, and you also get a much more potent and sweeter-sounding sixteen-speaker Harman Kardon audio process. Overall, you get a wonderful mix of excellent quality and sharp design.
The iDrive process continues to be the ideal and the easiest to use of the lot, there is a large and quite practical elbow box, and the digital instrument panel is sharp and vivid. The latter isn’t quick to go through, nevertheless, and quality on the panel that surrounds the equipment lever isn’t wonderful.
The instrument panel is sharp and vivid but it isn’t really quick to go through.
When it comes to kit, the Gran Limo will get things like Cornering Brake Management, moderate-hybrid tech, wi-fi charging, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Car, and BMW’s parking assistant. The Convenience Package also involves an iPad AIR for your rear seat entertainment requirements.
At a later phase there will be an M Sport variation as nicely on the 330Li (petrol) which will also get a heads-up screen and gesture manage, amid other features. On the other hand, the Gran Limo doesn’t get cooled or massaging seats and there are no semi-autonomous driving modes either.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine journey comfort and refinement
As shortly as you are on the transfer, the consequences of the longer wheelbase and the softer suspension are felt right away. The suspension is obviously a lot less busy than that of the common 3 Collection at minimal velocity, there’s a suppleness right here you only expertise in larger sized, much more comfort-oriented autos and then, even when the Gran Limousine hits a large bump, absorption is amazing.
The softer suspension set up has aided improve journey quality enormously.
The extensive-wheelbase 3 Collection also pitches quite minimal on a lousy street, and the generously profiled 225/50 R17 tyres also help with some of the secondary journey, permitting it to journey more than small imperfections and coarse surfaces devoid of also considerably adverse outcome.
Generously profiled 225/50 R17 tyres help journey quality also.
Inspite of remaining a diesel, the Bharat Stage 6-compliant engine is also quite refined. Combustion is actually clean and quite hushed at minimal engine speeds and, until all-around 2,500rpm, it doesn’t even sound like a diesel. It does get a little bit gruff when you pull it challenging to the five,000rpm redline (in handbook and Sport) but which is only to be envisioned.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine engine and overall performance
Smooth and responsive 2.-litre diesel engine in the 320Ld will make 190hp and 400Nm of torque.
BMW’s 2. diesel engine on the 3 Collection takes advantage of two sequential turbos alternatively of a single large one particular (it is a twin phase unit) and this offers it a broader distribute of power. In addition, what will make the overall performance truly feel much more linear is that the Bharat Stage 6 tuning has designed power shipping and delivery a lot less spiky. With the lesser, initial phase turbo spooling up swiftly original responses are quite excellent and the engine responds effortlessly to a faucet on the throttle. Press down a little bit tougher and acceleration builds properly also – the 8-velocity ZF gearbox delivers the perfect balance in between clean, jerk-totally free transitions and fast shifts. Even flat out acceleration is pretty amazing. The 320Ld, in spite of remaining 120 kilograms heavier than the common 320d, does the -one hundred dash in 7 seconds lifeless, with 150kph coming up in sixteen.01 seconds.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine handling, steadiness and agility
The extensive-wheelbase 3 also feels exceptionally secure in a straight line. This is real equally at medium and high speeds, with no genuine draw back to the a little lifted and suppler suspension felt right here. It doesn’t turn into corners with pretty the agility of the common 3 Collection and there is much more system roll, primarily when you hurl it into corners. But this is only in comparison to the 3 Collection broadly acknowledged as one particular of the ideal driving and most agile sedans all-around.
The Gran Limousine isn’t really as agile as the common 3 Collection in the corners and system roll is much more also.
The Gran Limousine actually feels much more agile and on the ball than BMW’s erstwhile 3 GT, and it even drives far better than several of the rivals in its class. Drive it in isolation, devoid of driving the common 3 Collection back again to back again (as we did), and it even feels playful and self-confident plenty of to love a spirited travel. That sensation of driving a extensive wheelbase motor vehicle, which is a little bit reluctant to turn in, is just not there.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine: Really should you obtain one particular?
So can BMW’s 3 Collection Gran Limousine supply the ideal of equally worlds and dominate its class like Merc’s extensive wheelbase E Class? It certainly delivers lots of room and comfort in the rear, primarily on that easily reclined back again seat. And BMW has also targeted on producing positive the motor vehicle rides nicely, only incorporating to the expertise. Like most BMWs, the Gran Limousine also drives nicely. Inspite of the extensive wheelbase, it is rather agile in corners, it is nicely-mannered at high velocity, and steer it in a neat and tidy fashion and it will even entertain you. It is not as sharp to travel as a common 3 Collection, it could have been far better outfitted and at an envisioned selling price of Rs 51-fifty four lakh, somewhere around Rs 52.five lakh for this motor vehicle, the further legroom will come at a high quality. Nevertheless, what will get the job done in BMW’s favour is that the Gran Limousine is probable to exert a potent charm to the wide bulk of predominantly chauffeur-pushed Indian motor vehicle consumers owners who also travel them selves, and importantly appear forward to experiencing the driving expertise. Like the extensive-wheelbase E-Class, the BMW obviously has the prospective to be a ideal-seller.
Also see:
BMW 3 Collection Gran Limousine bookings open on January 11
BMW 220i Gran Coupe M Sport launched at Rs forty.ninety lakh
Cross-nation travel in a BMW M8 Coupe: Fly A further Working day
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