A two-seat or 2+2 high-performance car designed for high-speed long-distance travel, balancing comfort and performance.
Grand tourer (often abbreviated GT) describes a category of high-performance cars designed for high-speed long-distance travel. The defining philosophy is balanced: fast enough to be exciting on a back road but comfortable enough for cross-continental driving with luggage. The body style is typically two-door coupe (or occasionally four-door), with two seats or 2+2 configuration. The engine is typically front-mounted (occasionally mid-mounted) and powerful (V8, V10, V12, or twin-turbo six-cylinder).
The category traces to the GT classification used in motorsport (Gran Turismo Omologato, the Italian term for grand touring homologated). Cars in the category include the Ferrari 250 GT, Aston Martin DB5, Mercedes-Benz 300SL, and Maserati 3500 GT of the classic era. Modern grand tourers include the Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin DB12 and Vantage, Ferrari Roma and 12Cilindri, Mercedes-AMG GT, and the recent BMW 8 Series.
The grand tourer differs from a supercar in priority: supercars optimize for outright performance (often at the cost of comfort), while grand tourers maintain comfort and luxury alongside performance. Supercars typically have more aggressive styling and seating positions; grand tourers have more refined interiors and quieter cabins.