And perhaps the most versatile of the lot.
Despite the prevailing sentiment around diesel, you can’t deny its strong suits. With masses of torque, great real-world economy, and excellent touring range, there’s currently no substitute for a good diesel mill, and modern diesels have few drawbacks if at all. So it’s with a healthy dose of excitement that we welcome BMW’s latest addition to its range, the 620d GT which, as its name suggests, packs an oiler under its shapely bonnet.
For the uninitiated, the 6-GT was born from the ashes of the 5-Series GranTurismo, after BMW thought it best if the SUV/estate/hatchback thing was placed under the more desirable 6-Series family as opposed to the more straight-laced 5-Series group. During that move the 6-GT lost its predecessors’ awkward looks (thankfully) and now no longer makes you want to gouge your eyes out. Good stuff.
The 620d GT also lowers the entry point into the 6-GT range, with the oiler asking for $99,900 for the privilege, a significant reduction of nearly $24k over the next model up, the 630i-GT ($123,500). Despite that savings, the 620d GT isn’t sparsely equipped in any sense of the phrase, and lauds things like rear air-suspension, adaptive LED headlights (with active high-beam), 19-inch alloys, electric tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof over the 520d saloon.
Coming in in Luxury Line as standard, the 620d also packs things like a heads-up display, the full Driving Assistant Plus suite (active cruise with traffic jam function, front & rear cross-traffic alert, Evasion Aid, lane keeping aid, crossroads warning, and others), Dynamic Stability Control, leather upholstery, electric pews up front, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry and go.
Further niceties include an electric steering column, speed-limit information a 10.25-inch touchscreen iDrive infotainment system, three-way rear bench split, auto-dimming mirrors, and a 12-speaker audio system.
If you’re keen on spending more than the $100k pricetag, fret not as BMW’s got you covered. For $6500 you can add the Exclusive Package which throws in ultra-soft Nappa leather, 20-inch alloys, dual-axle air suspension (only the rear suspension features air cushioning as standard), Comfort seats with lumbar, and heated front seats.
The most popular option pack will most likely be the M-Sport package, which adds quite a bit of aggro to proceedings. There’s that dual-axle air suspension again, as well as sports seats up front, and 19-inch M-Sport alloys all round. There are also M Sport Package bits and pieces like the Shadow Line exterior trim package, Anthracite roofliner, trapezoidal exhaust pipes, and the M Aerodynamics parts. The price for the M-Sport package is undefined, though opting for it will see the deletion of rear-seat electric adjustment.
Relieving you of $1600 could be the Innovations Package, which throws in the desirable BMW Display Key (critical to show-offs), as well as Remote Control Parking & Gesture Control. But the Comfort Package ($2700, or $3500 for M-Sport cars) will earn your favour if you intend to drive long-distances often, as the all-round seat heating, quad-zone climate control, electric sundblinds, and air purifier will be an absolute boon.
What is not an option of the BMW 620d GT is the engine, taking the form of a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-litre mill, putting out a healthy 140kW and 400Nm. It loses 50kW compared to the 630i but matches it in torque, and while its 7.9-second century-sprint time is a bit off the 6.3-seconds that the 630i needs, the diesel’s vastly-improved 5.4L/100km fuel economy rating will make the most significant difference, we think.
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