Before the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine goes on sale in India on January 21, bookings have commenced today, for a Rs 50,000 amount. India is the first right-hand drive market to get the long-wheelbase (LWB) 3 Series, which will act as a replacement for the soon-to-be discontinued 3 Series Gran Turismo.
- BMW 3 Series long-wheelbase bookings open for Rs 50,000
- First 50 bookings made online will receive the BMW Comfort package for free
- 3 Series Gran Limousine to fill gap between the standard 3 Series and 5 Series
2021 BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine booking and variant details
The first 50 buyers who book the 3 Series long-wheelbase via BMW’s website before 12pm on January 21 (the launch date) will receive a complimentary BMW Comfort Package worth Rs 1 lakh. The package includes a coat hanger and a 10.9-inch iPad AIR prefixed in the car.
BMW will offer the 3 Series Gran Limousine in two variants – Luxury Line and M Sport; the latter looks a bit sportier and gets more equipment than the former trim. In Luxury Line form, there will be four exterior colour options – Carbon Black metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Melbourne Red metallic and Mineral White metallic. 17-inch V-spoke alloy wheels are standard on this lower-spec variant.
While the 3 Series Gran Limousine M Sport is available with the same four colours, it gets larger 18-inch dual-spoke alloy wheels.
2021 BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine exterior
While a quick glance at the standard and long-wheelbase 3 Series won’t reveal much in the way of differences – they share the same front- and rear-end and even the same alloy wheels – a closer look will show a longer rear door panel.
This is due to the extra 110mm in the wheelbase (up from the standard car’s 2,851mm). In fact, the long-wheelbase version is also 120mm longer overall and slightly taller too, though the width is unchanged.
2021 BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine interior
There aren’t many visible changes on the inside either, other than colour options for the cabin. The major difference comes from the longer wheelbase – there’s 43mm more legroom for rear passengers compared to the standard 3 Series, and the seats are better cushioned and bolstered as well.
The 3 Series Gran Limousine’s equipment list is similar to equivalent variants of the standard wheelbase model. Expect top-spec trims to come with LED headlights and tail-lights, a panoramic sunroof, interior mood lighting, multi-zone climate control, an 8.8-inch touchscreen with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system and much more.
2021 BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine engine options
The 3 Series LWB will share the 258hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (330Li) and the 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit (320Ld) with the standard model, along with the 8-speed torque convertor automatic.
2021 BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine price and rivals
Considering the standard wheelbase 3 Series is priced between Rs 42.30-49.30 lakh* (ex-showroom, India) and BMW announcing a hike in prices across the range, the 3 Series LWB will cost a bit more.
This means that while the 3 Series Gran Limousine won’t face any direct competition, it’ll serve as an alternative to the recently launched Audi A4 facelift, the Mercedes-Benz C-class and the Jaguar XE. Volvo’s next-gen S60 is also expected to arrive by March to contend in this segment.
*As on November 26, 2020
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
