BMW has ceased production of its BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo with no direct replacement on the cards, as the model is removed from price lists for 2020.
With bosses originally claiming demand for the model is still at the desired levels, the decision to ditch the model is instead part of a major cost-cutting efficiency drive.
The hatchback version of its best-selling executive saloon was launched in 2013, and sold alongside the saloon and Touring estate variants of the 3 Series. A revised version was launched in 2016.
BMW launched a new 3 Series saloon last year, with a Touring version following that, but BMW chairman Harold Krüger confirmed that "there won't be a successor" to the current 3 Series GT in a statement accompanying an interim financial report.
Designed to combine the looks of the saloon with the practicality of the Touring, the GT was longer and wider than both those variants, with greater interior space. It was offered in the UK only with all-wheel drive. BMW's ever-expanding range of SUVs, offering a similar mix of extra space and a higher-driving position, was likely a factor in the decision not to replace the model.
The move was one of a number of cost-cutting measures being undertaken by BMW that Krüger listed as part of his statement. The firm is making the moves to save more than €12 billion (£10.1bn) in costs.
Other cost-saving measures include reducing up to half of BMW’s current drivetrain variants by 2021, enabled by the firm’s shift to two new flexible platforms, reducing complexity in vehicles and shortening the development process for new vehicles by up to a third.
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BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo review
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X2
The GT badge has always been kind of weird for this type of car...
As for the talk on SUVs, not a fan either but my wife has the X2 in M trim and it's not really bigger overall than my Ford Focus.
It's a "lowered" medium SUV so basically a hatch :-) and it actually drives quite well with sport suspension.
I have the feeling the non-ajustable Recaros in the Focus RS are higher than the seats in the X2...
I would not have bought one for me and I'm glad she didn't choose a X1 instead but at least it's not a MPV.
MPV are the worst :)
Its unbelievable that it was
Its unbelievable that it was launched in the first place . Who are these guys that pass the productioin of such unneeded niche cars. Not very bright B M W are you. so how much has it cost and how much has it cost the profit margin of the company.
They should have axed the