Grand tourers are premium coupes designed for luxury driving over long distances. Originally designed to travel across Europe, this segment of the market has expanded to focus on luxury driving, no matter where you may be going. Grand Tourers are different from your standard sports coupes, as they require a bit more space and luxury.
While the segment was dominated by British brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, there are some impressive German cars to consider as well. This segment has expanded to include both two-door and four-door luxury cars from Mercedes, BMW, and even Audi.
Interested in looking at some of the most impressive German Grand Tourers of all time? Here are 10 of the best.
10 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe
When it comes to luxury, nothing comes close to the Mercedes-Benz S Class. The S63 is the top of the range model from Mercedes. The S63 comes with a 4L V8 engine that can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3.4 seconds.
While the S63 does come with impressive performance figures, it does not skimp on the luxury. The S63 comes with two massive digital displays, one in front of the driver and the other directly alongside it. The S63 can also be optioned to include a panoramic glass roof, AMG paddle shifters, and even the AMG Night Package.
9 Mercedes-AMG GT63 S
The AMG GT63 S is the four-door version of the AMG GT. The GT63 S model comes with a 4L twin-turbo V8 that can produce 630 HP and 664 lb-ft of torque. While the performance of the GT63 S is impressive, the interior is just as noteworthy.
The AMG GT63 S comes with the standard AMG interior, taking inspiration from both the S Class and AMG GT. This leaves the 63 S with a modern infotainment system along with a large center console that includes all the controls and driver modes you may need.
8 Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is commonly known as the ultimate GT car. This premium sports car from Porsche comes in a few different variants, with the standard 911 being one of the most comfortable and reliable coupes money can buy.
The standard 911 comes with a 6-cylinder engine that can effortlessly produce 379 HP. The interior of the 911 is just as impressive as it comes with leather seats and a large touchscreen infotainment system. The 911 does come with rear seats, making it a bit more practical than the 718 Cayman.
7 Porsche 928
The Porsche 928 was designed from the ground up to be a luxury grand tourer. Porsche built the 928 from 1978 through to 1995, highlighting it as the flagship model for the brand during that time. This was a conscious decision made by the Porsche executives as they thought the 928 would have a wider appeal compared to the more sporty 911.
The Porsche 928 originally came with a 4.5L V8 engine that produced 219 HP. This was slightly different to the European version of the car that could produce up to 237 HP. While Porsche aimed to make the 928 as comfortable and luxurious as possible, it also included a transaxle to help achieve 50/50 weight distribution. This further emphasized the point that at the end of the day, the 928 was still a Porsche.
6 Audi RS5
The Audi RS5 comes in both a two-door and four-door variant. This impressive coupe comes with a 444-HP V6 engine. The RS5 is very similar to the RS7 but comes in a more compact design. The interior of the RS5 is just as impressive as it includes a massive touchscreen infotainment system and Audi’s classic Virtual Cockpit.
The RS5 also comes with a panoramic roof, making it perfect for long-distance drives. Audi also included a number of different engine modes so that you can enjoy the coupe on long journeys or on track. The coupe also comes with optional paddle shifters if you want a bit more of a sporty setup.
5 BMW M8
The BMW M8 is the ultra-high-performance version of the 8 Series. This premium sports car comes in both a two-door and four-door version, both designed for both performance and luxury. The M8 comes with the very best BMW has to offer, including a crystal gear shifter, Alcantara seats, and a premium V8 powertrain to match.
The M8 can comfortably and effortlessly produce 617 HP from its twin-turbo V8. The German manufacturer has also launched a Competition model of the car for those who want a bit more performance. This includes carbon-fiber bucket seats and a blacked-out body kit.
4 BMW E9
When it comes to iconic BMWs of the past, you have to mention the legendary BMW E9. This beautiful two-door BMW was designed as the luxury version of the 3.0 CSL, making it the brand’s premium GT car at the time.
The BMW E9 came with a legendary 3L inline-6 engine. This powerful motor from BMW managed to produce 200 HP in a classy and comfortable package. The E9 had an impressive top speed of 130 miles per hour, prioritizing comfort over performance.
3 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL from Mercedes is a two-seater sports coupe built back in the mid- to late-50s. This iconic gull-winged coupe was launched back in 1954, with a roadster version coming out in 1957. These cars are still incredibly valuable today, with recent auctions fetching well over $1m.
This impressive sports coupe came with a 3L straight-six engine along with a 4-speed transmission. While the car was not incredibly fast, it was designed as a limited-edition luxury coupe. With only 3,258 ever made, it is widely regarded as the most iconic Mercedes you can possibly get your hands on today.
2 Mercedes 600SL
The Mercedes 600SL (later called the SL600) is a roadster produced by Mercedes from 1990 through to 2001. The R129 replaced the R107 in 1990, completely redesigning both the exterior and interior design of the car. The 600SL came with a 6L V12 engine that could produce 389 HP. This model was available in both a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic gearbox.
The SL600 was designed as a roadster but also had a removable hard top. This impressive grand tourer came with a premium interior that included leather seats and wooden veneer. Mercedes also offered special editions of the R129 model including a few AMG versions. Nevertheless, Mercedes managed to perfectly balance performance and luxury to create one of the most iconic grand tourers of all time.
1 E31 BMW 850CSi
While many people may not realize it, the E31 BMW was actually the very first 8 Series to ever be released. This impressive luxury coupe from BMW came with a sleek and modern design that captured the hearts of fans across Europe. This model came with a 5L V12 engine that could produce 375 HP and 406 lb-ft of torque.
The exterior of the 850CSi was definitely sporty, but the interior was designed for comfort. The grand touring car came with a full backseat, including plush leather seats. The iconic BMW is also pretty rare, with only about 1,500 units being produced between 1992 and 1996. This made it a great buy back then and an even better buy today.