New UK 3-series GT range will benefit from BMW's 'xDrive' four-wheel drive system
The BMW 3-series GT will be available in the UK with four-wheel drive in July, not long after the launch of the model on 15 June.
Four-wheel-drive 'xDrive' variants will command a premium of £1,500 over conventional rear-wheel-drive GTs. Initially, BMW's xDrive four-wheel drive system will be an option for petrol 320i models.
The entry-level BMW 3-series GT, the 320i SE, costs from £28,835 in two-wheel-drive form, meaning an xDrive variant would cost £30,335.
Additionally, the manufacturer is considering expanding the UK four-wheel-drive GT line-up in 2014 to include other engines, such as the popular 2.0-litre diesel units.
BMW's xDrive is an 'intelligent' four-wheel drive system that can distribute torque between the front and rear axles in order to ensure maximum traction. In normal conditions it operates in a 40:60 front/rear split.
As well as improving traction, the xDrive system can also recognise understeer and oversteer, redistributing up to 100 per cent of the available torque to one axle in order to assist in stabilising the car.