[Auto] BMW to launch 3 Series long wheelbase in India

[King_of_lion]

The BMW 3 Series long-wheelbase boasts a 110mm longer wheelbase as compared to the regular 3 Series sedan and is aimed at buyers looking for increased rear-seat space and those who prefer being chauffeured around.
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Dhruv Saxena 
New Delhi
November 13, 2020UPDATED: November 13, 2020 05:04 IST
BMW 3 Series Long Wheelbase India launch
Unveiled last year with the Chinese market in mind, BMW will bring the long-wheelbase version of the 3 Series to India to replace the now discontinued 3 Series GT.
HIGHLIGHTS
BMW 3 Series long wheelbase boasts 43mm extra rear legroom.
While the long-wheelbase 3 Series is already on sale in China, India will be its first RHD market.
Aside from increased legroom, the rear compartment gets several other enhancements to help improve the rear seat experience.
BMW will introduce the long-wheelbase 3 Series in the Indian market next year. Its launch will help give the 3 Series and BMW an edge over rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C Class, Jaguar XE and the soon to be launched Volvo XC60 as well as the updated Audi A4 expected to arrive next year. It will also serve as a replacement for the now-defunct BMW 3 Series GT, which was one of BMW's best sellers in India and catered to the needs of customers looking for a more spacious rear compared to the regular 3 Series.

Already on sale in the Chinese market, the BMW 3 Series long-wheelbase version adds 110mm to the wheelbase and 43mm extra rear legroom. Besides the increased overall length, the long-wheelbase version is visually identical to the standard 3 Series. However, inside, the rear seats and the headrests boast improved cushioning and it gets ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof to help uplift the overall ambience of the rear compartment.
Compared to the standard model, BMW 3 Series LWB has a 110mm longer wheelbase. The rear doors are also 110mm longer which helps improve ingress/egress.
Until recently, customers looking for a 3 Series that's better suited to being chauffeured around in could opt for the 3 Series GT, but with the arrival of the new generation G20 3 Series, BMW is not planning a GT derivative. Instead, these customers will now get to choose between the standard wheelbase 3, already on sale in India, and a long-wheelbase version as per their specific requirements.

Mercedes-Benz's move to launch the current generation E-Class in its long-wheelbase avatar in India worked wonders for the company. Cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8 a segment above are available only in their long-wheelbase versions in India. BMW's decision to bring the long-wheelbase 3 Series to India definitely seems smart considering a big chunk of buyers prefers handing driving duties over to their chauffeur.

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The wheelbase extension has resulted in a 43mm increase in rear legroom making the long-wheelbase version of the 3 Series better suited to predominantly chauffeur-driven customers.
Although already on sale in China, bringing the 3 Series LWB isn't quite as straightforward as it seems since China is a left-hand drive market. For India, BMW will re-engineer a right-hand drive version and ours will be the first market to receive the RHD long-wheelbase 3 Series. Expect BMW to offer the 3 Series LWB with the same engine options as the 3 Series currently on sale - 2.0-litre diesel with 190bhp and 400Nm and 2.0-litre petrol with 258bhp and 400Nm. The BMW 3 Series long wheelbase is expected to be priced at around Rs 45 to 50 lakh (ex-showroom