The BMW 3 Series—A car so beloved it’s practically a rite of passage for driving enthusiasts. With its telepathic handling, rear-wheel drive, and a price tag that won’t give you heart palpitations (well, relatively speaking), it’s the poster child for sporty luxury sedans. But while enthusiasts were busy carving up twisty roads, practicality-loving motorists were left shaking their heads. Enter the BMW 3 Series GT—a four-door coupe with more room for your legs and your luggage. It didn’t quite win hearts globally and was unceremoniously axed. India, however, swiped right hard, keeping the 3 GT alive until 2020. But BMW isn’t one to leave a void unfilled. Cue the 3 Series Gran Limousine, the roomier, more luxurious sibling to the 3 Series sedan, ready to pick up where the 3 GT left off—and then some.
Design: Spot the Stretch
Take a regular 3 Series, put it on the rack, and stretch it ever so slightly—voila, you have the Gran Limousine. This isn’t a dramatic transformation; the silhouette stays clean and elegant. Only the sharp-eyed will spot the differences, but BMW helps out with a discreet badge at the rear: 320Ld (or 330Li if you’re rocking the petrol). The “L” here isn’t just a letter; it’s a lifestyle. It stands for “long wheelbase,” translating to 110mm of extra legroom and rear doors longer than your last binge-watch session.
While the stretch adds length, the ground clearance, track width, and tyre sizes remain unchanged. The result? A car that looks like a regular 3 Series but secretly moonlights as a first-class lounge.
Cabin: Stretch Out, Relax, Repeat
The magic of the Gran Limousine is all in the back seat. The rear seats aren’t just an afterthought; they’re a revelation. Think softer cushioning, a backrest angle optimized for comfort, and enough legroom to let you do a yoga pose (or at least pretend to). Say goodbye to the thigh support complaints that plagued the standard 3 Series. This cabin redefines “sit back and relax.”
That said, BMW missed a few tricks. Where are the window blinds? Adjustable recline? A wireless charging pad? Splittable rear seats for more versatile boot space? These would’ve been the cherry on top, but BMW likely held back to keep this limo from stepping on the 5 Series’ toes.
Driving Dynamics: Limo, Yes. BMW, Absolutely.
The Gran Limousine might be the comfy cousin of the 3 Series, but it hasn’t forgotten its roots. We tested the 320Ld Luxury Line trim on a 250km Mumbai-Pune expressway jaunt, and here’s the verdict: this is still a BMW. The softer suspension favors comfort but doesn’t sacrifice the brand’s hallmark sharpness. Even without adaptive dampers, it handles potholes like a pro and keeps body roll in check.
Power comes from familiar engines:
• A 2.0L turbo-petrol (258PS/400Nm) for the 330Li
• A 2.0L turbo-diesel (190PS/400Nm) for the 320Ld
The diesel in particular impressed with its refinement—smooth enough to make you question if it’s even a diesel at all. Sure, the added weight makes it a smidge slower (0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds versus 6.6 for the standard 3er), but let’s be real: when you’re sprawled out in the back seat, you’re not timing the 0-100 dash.
Why You’ll Want One
The Gran Limousine isn’t just a car; it’s a strategy. Long-wheelbase variants are the thing in India, where back seat comfort can make or break a luxury car. The success of stretched models like the E-Class and 7 Series has paved the way, and BMW has nailed the brief with the Gran Limousine.
Need a chauffeur-driven ride that pampers you without breaking the bank? The Gran Limousine is your guy. Want to take the wheel on weekends and rediscover your love for driving? It’ll remind you it’s still a BMW at heart. And yes, it’s pricier than the standard 3 Series, but for that extra stretch (literally and metaphorically), it’s absolutely worth it.
Final Word
The BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine is a masterstroke—a car that combines luxury, practicality, and a touch of sportiness without going overboard. It’s as if the 3 Series sedan graduated from college, got a job, and treated itself to a penthouse suite. For India’s discerning buyers, it’s the perfect compromise between the compact luxury of the 3 Series and the opulence of its pricier siblings.
