How do you make one of the most luxurious, high-end car models ever built even better? You add on some style and extra power, and voila, you have one of the best grand touring cars of all time!
Grand touring cars are some of the most popular among car enthusiasts because they offer everything you need for comfort on a long road trip, but can also be fun to drive around town when you want to feel like James Bond. Here are the best grand touring cars of all time.
Ferrari 275 GTB 4
This Ferrari was not only one of the best grand touring cars but also one of the best cars ever made. That’s a hard combination to beat. It was innovative for its time and even garnered awards for how beautiful it was when it came out in 1964.
The Ferrari 275 GTB 4 had an aluminum body and some real speed under its hood. It would go from 0-60 mph in six seconds with a top speed close to 160 mph.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
In 2001, Porsche built a lightweight race-spec version of its venerable 911, called GT3 RS. The purpose? To win Le Mans.
While it didn’t succeed in its initial aim, racing rules were changed and GT3 RS became one of Porsche’s best grand touring cars ever.
With 450 horsepower on tap, only 15 percent weight overdrive, and less aerodynamic drag than other road-going versions (thanks to a large rear wing), it has since become one of the most popular track day cars ever.
Read also: Porsche 911 GT3 Speed: Maximum speed test in the race arena
Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV
Most people think of all-out performance when it comes to Italian supercars, but Italy has more than a few grand tourers.
Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV is one of those cars that not only looks like a dream but also offers amazing performance. The engine onboard is a V12 with 4 valves per cylinder, delivering 5000 cc and 503 HP.
Even though it has some serious power under its hood, it’s still capable of 20 mpg in town and 24 mpg on the highway – with your foot firmly planted to the floor.
BMW M1 Procar
BMW’s M1 Procar series might be a niche car for niche racing, but it’s one that could only have been created by a manufacturer with roots in motorsport and deep ties to a variety of disciplines.
Based on BMW’s first-generation 6 Series—the E24′′ chassis if you want to get specific—this series attempted to combine an FIA Group 4/5 touring-car program with Group C sports-prototype racing.
That meant a car that was very close to production but much more focused on racing than BMW’s standard fare. It also produced some truly amazing cars such as Tom Walkinshaw Racing’s M1 Procar pictured above.
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II
When it comes to Best Grand Touring Car, you’ve got to put one Mercedes-Benz on your list: The 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II. The successor to the original model’s (E28) naturally aspirated 2.5L 4-cylinder engine,
Mercedes released their revised 16V turbocharged version in 1989 that went on to become a legend in its own right and one of the best grand touring cars ever made with 230hp from a slight 200kg weight reduction that gave it outstanding handling, performance, and surprising speed for an out and out sports saloon car. A W124 based vehicle, so perfect for any German Driver!
Mercedes-Benz SL600 (R129 Series)
Launched in 1989 and produced through 2001, the Mercedes R129 SL600 is simply one of if not the best grand touring car that money can buy.
With only minor changes during its production run, including a redesign in 1996, it was hailed by many as being much more than just an excellent sports car; it was also considered one of the most luxurious vehicles on sale at that time.
At its core, however, lay a powerful 5.0L V12 engine producing 362 horsepower with no less than four valves per cylinder.
That V12 engine drove a six-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels via Mercedes’ 4Matic technology to make sure all that power could be put down effectively even when cornering hard.
Aston Martin DB9 Volante V12
Aston Martin is an amazing brand, producing some of the best GT cars in recent memory. The Volante V12 comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. The V12 produces 510 hp and it can hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. It’s priced at $194,950.
Porsche 959 S Leichtbau
Launched in 1986, The Porsche 959 was a technological marvel. It featured an advanced, twin-turbo 3.2-liter flat-six engine (the first of its kind) that generated 444 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
With all-wheel drive (also a first for Porsche), a sequential four-speed transmission, semi-automatic paddle shifters, independent suspension front and rear with coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers, and sway bars, plus a host of other features not seen on production cars at that time.
It was also quite fast: The 959 could hit 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds – nearly as quick as a Lamborghini Countach – and had a top speed above 190 mph.
Conclusion
There are a lot of cars of various qualities to pick from, but we think we have the answer for you. The Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvole was everything a supercar should have, but only in the 70s. It was speedy, sleek, powerful, and sleek beyond belief. The Countach was also made to last, like tanks.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the most comfortable grand touring car of all time?
As you probably know, comfort is a subjective thing. It varies from person to person and everyone has different needs and demands when it comes to comfort in their car.
The best grand touring cars of all time are comfortable in their own way and can provide a variety of comforts depending on which features you choose.
In my opinion, there is one aspect that makes for an exceptional grand touring car and that is when it offers more comfort than your daily driver.
What are the best grand touring cars of all time?
A grand tourer is a performance and luxury automobile capable of high speed and long-distance driving. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either a two-seat or 2+2 arrangement.
What is the fastest grand tourer?
A grand tourer (GT) is a performance or luxury automobile capable of high speed and long-distance driving.
Most commonly, the best grand touring cars are two-seater coupes with only occasional rear seats, essentially similar to a full-size or smaller two-door version of a luxury or sports car, intended for very high speeds on primarily paved public roads.
Also in contrast to sports cars, grand tourers typically have more room than their two-seat counterparts for luggage and travel comfort.
