Grand tourer

1951 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

1960 Maserati 3500 GT

1963 Aston Martin DB5

A grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes.^[1] The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement. Grand tourers are most often the coupé derivative of luxury saloons or sedans. Many iconic car models, such as the Ferrari 250 GT, Jaguar E-Type, and Aston Martin DB5, are considered classic examples of gran turismo cars.

The term is a near-calque from the Italian language phrase gran turismo, which became popular in the English language in the 1950s, evolving from fast touring cars and streamlined closed sports cars during the 1930s.^[2]

^ Stanford, John (1957). The Sports Car, Development and Design. B. T. Batsford. p. 179. ISBN 9781135518684. A newer concept altogether is the modern gran turismo class, which was in effect unknown before World War II; sustained high-speed motoring from relatively modest engine size and compact closed coachwork
^ Cite error: The named reference :22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[:27-1] Stanford, John (1957). The Sports Car, Development and Design. B. T. Batsford. p. 179. ISBN 9781135518684. A newer concept altogether is the modern gran turismo class, which was in effect unknown before World War II; sustained high-speed motoring from relatively modest engine size and compact closed coachwork

[:22-2] Cite error: The named reference :22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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