Inside, however, things get more conventional. Again, you are left in absolutely zero doubt that you have just shut yourself in a car conceived somewhere in the heartland of Munich. From the dual roundels of the rev counter and the speedo to the multi-function display on the centre console and the signature iDrive unit with its rotary control knob, every inch of the cabin of the 3 Series GT bears the BMW watermark. And that is a good thing for the company in a country where BMW interiors have nearly become synonymous with luxury. Naturally, past owners of BMW will feel at home while first time owners will have seen enough of these interiors in magazines such as Car India or in showrooms or in their friends’ garages to not feel out of place. Compared to the 3 Series saloon, there is quite a bit more space that has been released in the cabin of the GT, which is explained by the fact that the wheelbase of the GT at 2,920 mm is 110 mm longer than the saloon’s 2,810 mm.
The engine start/stop button is located on the dash to the left of the meaty steering wheel, but this time with the addition of an auto start-stop button as well. You see, the 3 Series GT enjoys the technological benefits of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme, and, as a result, offers automatic engine start-stop as a standard fitment. The company from Munich certainly doesn’t want to play with the delicate ecological balance that exists today. The 3 Series GT, therefore, shuts off the engine on its own when you stop at lengthy traffic signals. Restarting the car is done simply by taking the foot off the brake pedal.
