The elegantly styled BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo lineup benefits from a number of enhancements for the 2017 model year, not the least of which is a pair of new TwinPower Turbo engines from the automaker’s Efficient Dynamics modular family. These motivational upfits will see the current 328i xDrive/335i xDrive names replaced by 330i xDrive/340i xDrive GT designations here in the U.S. Accompanying that transition, these 5-door compact liftbacks gain a number of new styling tweaks along with added tech touches.
Pictured here in its European Luxury trim, the 330i xDrive Gran Turismo will be fitted with the B46 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to the 240/255 stats of the engine in the 228i. Shown in optional M Sport livery, the 340i xDrive GT packs the new B58 force-fed inline-6 that will make 320 horses and 330 twist units in this application, besting the 2016 335i GT’s 300/300 output counts. As before, both engines will be backed by an 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted shifter paddles and both models will come standard with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system.
Beyond engine changes, the 2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo models pop their curbside appeal with matte-chrome elements in place of the current bright-finish bits, now-standard full LED headlamps, restyled LED taillights and a new optional 19-inch alloy wheel design. Inside, the cabin gets a similar visual polishing in the form of enhanced trim materials and added chrome. Gran Turismos equipped with a Navigation system — which remains part of the Technology Package — will feature BMW’s latest iDrive 5.0 multimedia controller, and the existing Enhanced USB/Bluetooth option gets supplanted by a new but still optional Wireless Charging and Wi-Fi Hotspot with Enhanced USB and Bluetooth group.
The 2017 BMW 330i xDrive Gran Turismo and 340i xDrive Gran Turismo will arrive in showrooms later this year. Pricing, packaging and EPA numbers — which are expected to rise slightly despite their engine upgrades — will be announced closer to the actual on-sale date.
Have you seen all the new and redesigned cars heading our way for 2017?
