BMW’s 3 Sequence Gran Limousine is the long-wheelbase model of the corporate’s 3 Sequence sedan. Elongated to offer chauffeur-driven passengers extra legroom within the again – identical to the now-discontinued 3 Sequence GT – it’s longer in beam, constructed on a stretched wheelbase and ideally suited to life within the Indian market.
We all know this as a result of long-wheelbase luxurious vehicles work nicely right here. Mercedes’ long-wheelbase E-Class for instance at present exerts a stranglehold on its class, Skoda’s Excellent is particularly constructed on an extended wheelbase for better legroom within the again after which the S-Class, 7 Sequence and A8 are offered right here in long-wheelbase kind solely. Even SUVs like Merc’s GLE have benefited from being constructed on an extended wheelbase.
So giving Indian luxurious automotive house owners extra rear legroom clearly works. Query is, simply how nicely will it work for BMW’s 3 Sequence; a automotive in any other case related to better driver engagement and driving pleasure? Will the longer wheelbase permit it to ship the most effective of each worlds, or will stretching it dilute its distinctive driver targeted DNA an excessive amount of? Let’s get began.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine design
On the face of it, and at first look, the Gran Limousine (or G28 as it’s recognized internally) seems similar to the common 3 Sequence (G20). The truth is, have a look at it from the entrance and it’s nearly not possible to inform the usual automotive from the longer wheelbase one. Some variations have extra bling on the nostril and others get a blacked-out centre part within the decrease bumper; however these aside, the 2 are close to an identical when considered head-on.
Longer rear doorways and a streched wheelbase size are key visible variations between the usual 3 Sequence and Gran Limousine.
Have a look at it from the facet, nonetheless, and the 110mm longer wheelbase and the longer rear doorways stand out. BMW designers have performed a superb job relating to integration. The roof, although flatter now, blends properly with the C-pillar, the lengthy doorways don’t look misplaced, and even the general stance of the automotive works nicely. The truth is, if something, the additional size provides a touch of class. And in contrast to Mercedes’ longer wheelbase E-Class, because the facet graphic stays the identical, there’s no interruption to the pure circulate of traces.
Lengthy-wheelbase 3 Sequence will get rectanular exhuast pipes not like the spherical ones on the usual automotive.
Figuring out the Gran Limousine from the rear is comparatively simpler. The largest giveaway is that the lengthy wheelbase automotive will get rectangular exhaust ideas, as towards the spherical ones on the common 3 Sequence and, get nearer, and there’s the L badge.
With regards to practicality, nonetheless, the boot isn’t too giant at 430 litres. You do get a spare tyre, neatly hid underneath the boot flooring and a powered tail-gate too.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine platform
Designed and engineered primarily for the Chinese language market, the right-hand drive model of the G28 is the primary model of the automotive to go on sale outdoors of China. Measuring 4.819 metres in size, it’s distinctly longer than common 3 Sequence. The Gran Limo will get an extended roof, longer doorways and a large panoramic sunroof. Constructed on a stretched wheelbase, that measures 2.961 metres, BMW’s 3 Sequence Gran Limousine additionally has considerably more room for passengers within the again. To assist with the much less beneficial ramp over angle, because of the longer wheelbase, the automotive has additionally been raised by 6mm, and to maintain it in tune with the brand new extra comfort-oriented character, BMW has additionally softened the suspension. As is the case with the long-wheelbase Mercedes E-Class, BMW can also be more likely to get pleasure from a value benefit relating to importing parts and elements for the automotive from its plant in China.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine inside rear seat consolation
With its lengthy rear doorways, easy accessibility and 43mm of further legroom, the rear of the Gran Limousine is instantly welcoming. And settle into the seat and this 3 feels much more snug too. The seats are a bit softer and extra stuffed out in comparison with the usual automotive, thigh assist is pretty much as good as ever and you might be sat at a superb top. Additionally, because the seat is extra contoured, it even holds you in place a bit higher. The actual ace within the pack, nonetheless, is the reclined backrest, which regardless of being fastened, appears to be set at simply the proper angle. And the brand new ‘fuller’ headrests and re-aligned elbow relaxation helps as nicely.
Area and luxury ranges on the rear have improved significantly over the usual 3 Sequence.
The central tunnel is giant and it does are available the best way of the center passenger, however the large sunroof above brightens up the cabin significantly, and what makes it really feel even roomier and extra spacious is the truth that the lengthy facet home windows are large. BMW has even added strips of temper lighting on the seat-backs, and these strips join properly with these on the door pads.
Ambient lighting strips not solely on the rear door-pads however on the seat-backs as nicely.
Lacking on the rear on the Gran Limousine, nonetheless, are blinds. There’s no rear blind, not even a guide one, there are not any blinds on the facet doorways after which, regardless of this being the good time of the 12 months, the air-conditioning needed to work laborious to chill the cabin.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine inside design and options
These sat up entrance will discover few variations between the common 3 Sequence and this long-wheelbase automotive. The supportive entrance seats are powered, you get extendable thigh assist and discovering the perfect driving place is simple. The open pore wooden inserts on the sprint aren’t polished as on the common 3 Sequence and there are a few different small enhancements like acoustic glass and the brand new Cognac-coloured leather-based trim.
Apart from new trim and some enhancements, there’s not that is a lot completely different within the entrance of the cabin.
The Gran Limousine, nonetheless, does get a bit extra chrome on the sprint and on the steering wheel, and also you additionally get a extra highly effective and sweeter-sounding 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. General, you get an excellent mix of excellent high quality and sharp design.
The iDrive system stays the most effective and the best to make use of of the lot, there’s a giant and really sensible elbow field, and the digital instrument panel is sharp and shiny. The latter isn’t simple to learn, nonetheless, and high quality on the panel that surrounds the gear lever isn’t nice.
The instrument panel is sharp and shiny nevertheless it is not simple to learn.
With regards to package, the Gran Limo will get stuff like Cornering Brake Management, mild-hybrid tech, wi-fi charging, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and BMW’s parking assistant. The Consolation Package deal additionally contains an iPad AIR on your rear seat leisure wants.
At a later stage there will likely be an M Sport model as nicely on the 330Li (petrol) which can even get a heads-up show and gesture management, amongst different options. Nonetheless, the Gran Limo doesn’t get cooled or massaging seats and there are not any semi-autonomous driving modes both.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine experience consolation and refinement
As quickly as you might be on the transfer, the results of the longer wheelbase and the softer suspension are felt instantly. The suspension is clearly much less busy than that of the common 3 Sequence at low pace, there’s a suppleness right here you solely expertise in bigger, extra comfort-oriented vehicles after which, even when the Gran Limousine hits a big bump, absorption is spectacular.
The softer suspension setup has helped improve experience high quality vastly.
The long-wheelbase 3 Sequence additionally pitches little or no on a nasty street, and the generously profiled 225/50 R17 tyres additionally assist with among the secondary experience, permitting it to experience over small imperfections and coarse surfaces with out an excessive amount of adversarial impact.
Generously profiled 225/50 R17 tyres assist experience high quality too.
Regardless of being a diesel, the Bharat Stage 6-compliant engine can also be very refined. Combustion is definitely clean and really hushed at low engine speeds and, until round 2,500rpm, it doesn’t even sound like a diesel. It does get a bit gruff if you pull it laborious to the 5,000rpm redline (in guide and Sport) however that’s solely to be anticipated.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine engine and efficiency
Clean and responsive 2.0-litre diesel engine within the 320Ld makes 190hp and 400Nm of torque.
BMW’s 2.0 diesel engine on the three Sequence makes use of two sequential turbos as a substitute of a single giant one (it’s a twin stage unit) and this provides it a broader unfold of energy. As well as, what makes the efficiency really feel extra linear is that the Bharat Stage 6 tuning has made energy supply much less spiky. With the smaller, first stage turbo spooling up rapidly preliminary responses are superb and the engine responds easily to a faucet on the throttle. Press down a bit more durable and acceleration builds properly too – the eight-speed ZF gearbox delivers the perfect steadiness between clean, jerk-free transitions and fast shifts. Even flat out acceleration is kind of spectacular. The 320Ld, regardless of being 120 kilograms heavier than the common 320d, does the 0-100 dash in seven seconds lifeless, with 150kph developing in 16.01 seconds.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine dealing with, stability and agility
The long-wheelbase 3 additionally feels extraordinarily secure in a straight line. That is true each at medium and excessive speeds, with no actual draw back to the marginally raised and suppler suspension felt right here. It doesn’t flip into corners with fairly the agility of the common 3 Sequence and there may be extra physique roll, particularly if you hurl it into corners. However that is solely compared to the three Sequence; broadly acknowledged as the most effective driving and most agile sedans round.
The Gran Limousine is not as agile as the usual 3 Sequence within the corners and physique roll is extra too.
The Gran Limousine truly feels extra agile and on the ball than BMW’s erstwhile 3 GT, and it even drives higher than lots of the opponents in its class. Drive it in isolation, with out driving the common 3 Sequence again to again (as we did), and it even feels playful and assured sufficient to get pleasure from a spirited drive. That feeling of driving an extended wheelbase automotive, that’s a bit reluctant to show in, is simply not there.
BMW 320Ld Gran Limousine: Do you have to purchase one?
So can BMW’s 3 Sequence Gran Limousine ship the most effective of each worlds and dominate its class like Merc’s lengthy wheelbase E Class? It definitely delivers loads of house and luxury within the rear, particularly on that comfortably reclined again seat. And BMW has additionally targeted on ensuring the automotive rides nicely, solely including to the expertise. Like most BMWs, the Gran Limousine additionally drives nicely. Regardless of the lengthy wheelbase, it’s pretty agile in corners, it’s well-mannered at excessive pace, and steer it in a neat and tidy method and it’ll even entertain you. It’s not as sharp to drive as an everyday 3 Sequence, it might have been higher outfitted and at an anticipated worth of Rs 51-54 lakh, roughly Rs 52.5 lakh for this automotive, the additional legroom will come at a premium. Nonetheless, what’s going to work in BMW’s favour is that the Gran Limousine is more likely to exert a powerful enchantment to the overwhelming majority of predominantly chauffeur-driven Indian automotive consumers; house owners who additionally drive themselves, and importantly stay up for having fun with the driving expertise. Just like the long-wheelbase E-Class, the BMW clearly has the potential to be a best-seller.
Additionally see:
BMW 3 Sequence Gran Limousine bookings open on January 11
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