Grand touring cars are designed to cross continents in luxury, serenity, and utmost comfort. Bentley has been making these types of cars for decades and is arguably the best at it, however, many other automakers have had a go at equaling or beating the best – Mercedes-Benz for example.
Mercedes-Benz’s most well-known model is undoubtedly the S-Class – their flagship luxury car – which has always been available only as a 4-door saloon. Mercedes has produced 2-door S-Classes, but the vehicles had different names, such as the SEC and CL-Class. When the last generation CL was discontinued, Mercedes simply created the S-Class Coupé and Convertible as a replacement.
While the S-Class Coupé is an excellent grand touring car with which to conquer the Autobahn, there are more elegant grand tourers in the same price class as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé which we’d much rather buy.
8 Polestar 1
The Polestar 1 is a car famous for being powered by almost everything. The car has a 2.0-liter engine, which is both supercharged and turbocharged, features an integrated started the generator, a battery pack beneath the floor, and can be plugged in to charge, making it a PHEV. This car has multiple driving modes to allow it to drive on the engine only, making it front-wheel drive, or on electric power only, making it rear-wheel drive.
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All power systems can also be combined in Sport Mode, with 600 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque going to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. This extremely complicated drivetrain results in a curb weight of almost 5,200 lbs and an electric-only range of just 150 miles – not particularly great. The selling point, however, is the styling. It is a beautiful blend of functional minimalism found in Volvo’s current design language and it looks fantastic.
7 Nissan GT-R
The Nissan GT-R may be more of a supercar than a GT car, however, it still features many GT car features – powerful engine in the front, 2-door layout, and drive going to all four wheels (as is the new GT car standard apparently). The GT-R is quite an old model by now, having been introduced in 2009, but it has received multiple updates over the years, including a NISMO version.
The R35 GT-R is fitted with a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque going to all four wheels via a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The GT-R can do the 0-62 mph run 2.7 seconds and continue on to a top speed of 204 mph.
6 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
The Mercedes-AMG GT is a choice preferable to the S-Class Coupé as it – like the Nissan GT-R – follows the sports car/GT route. The car was designed to compete against the Porsche 911, which makes it a sports car, but it does not quite have the same level of competency as the 911. The AMG GT was also the replacement for the SLS AMG, which was a GT car above all else.
The AMG GT has had many different models, however the most popular was the AMG GT S, which was fitted with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 515 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque, going to the rear wheels only via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
5 Lexus LC
The Lexus LC is the proper grand touring option from Japan, which features a magnificent 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8. The LC looks like a concept car put into production with its striking design and flowing lines. It is truly one of the best-looking cars currently on sale.
The LC is available in two trims, LC500h, and LC500. The first has a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 with a hybrid powertrain configured for efficiency, whilst the second is a GT car in true form, with the aforementioned V8. The LC comes standard with a 10-speed automatic and rear-wheel-drive, but its greatest features are the styling, the luscious interior, and the V8 sound.
4 BMW M8
The BMW M8 is the S-Class Coupé’s rival from Bavaria. It is fitted with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, with power going to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The car produces almost 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, enough to rocket the car from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
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Whilst the M8 is the more performance-orientated version of the 8-Series, it still features GT car options, which makes it an excellent alternative to Mercedes’ S-Class Coupé – and even Bentley’s Continental GT.
3 Aston Martin Vantage
The Vantage may be the smallest of the Aston Martin range, but it still packs a big punch. Featuring the same engine as the S-Class Coupé, it produces 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque going to the rear wheels only via a choice between an 8-speed automatic or a 7-speed dogleg manual transmission – the only manual application of the AMG V8.
The Vantage is on the sportier side of the GT car spectrum, allowing it to be used for a more diverse purpose. The styling is a more modern take on the classic Aston Martin design, but it is still one of the coolest coupés on the market.
2 Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 has been established as the best sports car money can buy. Along with this, the 911 makes for a great GT car as well – not the best, but it can compete. The current generation 911 Carrera S/4S is fitted with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6, producing 444 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque going to the rear or all wheels via a choice of a 7-speed manual or 8-speed PDK transmission.
The 911 Carrera S can do the 0-60 mph sprint in 3.7 seconds (3.6 for the 4S) and can continue on to a top speed of over 190 mph – making it one of the fastest and least-powerful cars on this list.
1 Maserati GranTurismo
The Maserati GranTurismo may not be the first choice – or any choice – on many shortlists, but it does have something which few other cars possess. The Maserati GranTurismo has the best engine sound of any car currently on sale. The naturally aspirated 4.7-liter F136 Ferrari V8 produces 450 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, with power going to the rear wheels only via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The GranTurismo is one of the most striking cars of the last decade and definitely one of the greatest. Whilst it does have some issues regarding electronics and the fact that almost everything is difficult to operate, none of it matters when driving – as the noise from the engine and exhausts is completely intoxicating and cancels everything out. What an awesome car.