2014 BMW 3-Series GT: The Ultimate Hauling Machine?

As the 2014 BMW 3-Series GT makes clear, the Bavarians can be a stubborn lot. The automaker tried a “best of both worlds” approach with the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo—combining the versatility of the model’s sport-wagon variant with a silhouette more in keeping with its traditional sedan configuration—and even though it landed with a thud on the market, they’re pushing ahead with the same approach with the 2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo.

The car was introduced at the recent Chicago Auto Show and will be arriving in U.S. dealerships this summer, with drivers able to choose between either the 2014 BMW 328i Gran Turismo or the more powerful 2014 BMW 335i Gran Turismo. Unsurprisingly, the GT duo will offer the same engine choices as the similarly designated sedan versions: The 328i GT will carry a 2.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged I4 that makes 240 hp and 255 lb.-ft. of torque; in the 335i GT, motivation comes from BMW’s next-gen TwinPower I6, capable of transforming 3.0 liters of displacement into 300 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque.

In both cases, the cogs can be swapped via six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic, the latter of which also offers manual-shifting capabilities in the more athletically oriented Sport Line and M Sport variants of the 2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo.

Pricing is still TBD, but if we take for our template the 5-Series—where the GT requires about a 9 percent premium over the comparable Sedan—the MSRP of the 2014 BMW 328i Gran Turismo would be approximately $40,150.

2014 BMW 3-Series GT: The Inside Story

Generally speaking, the 2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo offers all the same hardware and comforts as the sedan variants, but in a package that’s slightly larger than even the Europe-only 3-Series sport wagon. Compared to the wagon, the 190-inch GT is 7.9 inches longer and 3.2 inches taller, with a wheelbase that is 4.3 inches longer. Rear-seat passengers also get a particularly healthy boost in legroom, with an additional 2.8 inches that gives them more space than in the BMW 5-Series Sedan, too. Seating for all occupants is a few inches higher than in the sedan or wagon as well, for a more commanding view of the road.

But the raison d’etre of the 3-Series GT is its versatile cargo hold, showcasing highlights like:

• 40/20/40 split rear seats that recline through 15 stages for maximum versatility and can be released remotely
• A massive tailgate opening that’s 44 inches wide and 24.3 inches tall
• A two-piece shelf system that can be used for storage even when the rear liftgate is opened
• Standard electronically operated liftgate functionality
• Numerous individual cargo resources, including underfloor storage, four tie-downs, integrated side-panel storage, a multi-function hook, cargo netting, and an integrated cargo-floor rail system to help custom-tailor the cargo space for different loads
• Up to 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded flat—more than available in traditional multi-purpose vehicles like the Ford C-MAX

And yes, the 2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo even offers an available hands-free liftgate system, in which owners can simply pass their feet under the vehicle’s bumper to access the rear cargo space.