When Enzo Ferrari was asked in the late 1950s why his Formula One cars were not keeping up with the British teams and switching to a mid-engined layout, he simply replied, “The horse should always pull the cart.” That was true before internal combustion took over, but mid-engined cars have now become the gold standard for when you want precise handling balance and weight distribution. Just look at the latest Chevrolet Corvette, which switched out tradition for performance.
Front-engined cars still hold strong though, especially with grand touring models that prioritize tradition, design, and cabin dimensions. Chevy may have annoyed some enthusiasts with its switch to mid-engine, but that car was always more about performance than long-distance cruising. With these five options, though, you get eight cylinders rumbling in front of you as you cross continents.
5
Bentley Continental GT
The Bentley Continental may have lost its iconic W12 engine, but in its place comes an impressive plug-in hybrid powertrain that is more powerful, more refined, and certainly more reliable. The standard GT makes an already impressive 670 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Meanwhile, the GT Speed pushes the output to 771 hp and 738 lb-ft. All-wheel steering and the Bentley Dynamic Ride active roll-control system help this land yacht through the bends.
Expert
insight
I really think the Continental GT S is the perfect choice for those who enjoy carving up winding roads as much as being seen cruising down tree-lined boulevards. There’s obviously ample power and performance for any vehicle – much less one that weighs more than 2.5 tons – and the suspension and rear differential do so much to transform it from a posh luxury coupe to a surprisingly capable sports car.
The GT Speed can reach 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and accelerate to 208 miles per hour. To match the grand-touring performance, it’s built like a palace inside with a rotating screen module that can be swapped for simple dials, organ-stop heater controls, and a Mulliner program to personalize each car to a buyer’s preference. With that front-engined layout, you also get rear seats to use in a pinch, especially for kids.
4
Aston Martin DB12
Aston Martin is a master at building grand tourers. The low-slung British coupes look fast when they’re standing still, and even if there isn’t a V12 engine in the DB12 lineup, the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 would certainly help get you across countries fast. The AMG-sourced powerplant puts out an impressive 671 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. It can catapult the car to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. There’s no hybrid system here, but you do get some of the prettiest looks on sale today, especially with the roof down in the convertible version.
Inside, the grand-touring ability continues. It’s free from huge screens, instead using tactile controls for all the major functions, and even though there are rear seats, they’re better used for bags (or people you dislike). The rear cargo bay holds around nine cubic feet of your finest luggage. To help you make swift progress, the DB12 has 12-way seating, adaptive cruise control, and we’d certainly option the expensive 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins speaker setup.
Expert
insight
The DB12 is our favorite kind of car: a compliant grand tourer that can thrill you on a back road. It’s more athletic but less comfortable than a Bentley, and more “special” than an AMG or a Porsche. The DB12, like the DB9 that came long before it, is one of the prettiest vehicles on the market and among the most fun to drive.
For those wanting even more speed, check out the DB12 S. It boosts power by 19 horses, adds a stiffer anti-roll bar, and comes standard with carbon brakes. This genre of car may be reserved for long-distance travel, but the S takes everything up a notch when you get on track. It’ll also be louder thanks to a titanium exhaust that also lightens this heavy GT.
3
Toyota GR GT
Toyota may not be marketing the race-bred GR GT as a grand tourer, but its proportions make it seem proud of its front-engined character. The bonnet is low and long. The tapered front end helps with that aggressive racecar vibe. The twin-turbo V8 is Toyota’s first engine of this layout, featuring a hot-vee design, hybrid power, and a dry-sump oil system, but it should certainly feel more connected to the driver than the electric LFA sibling. The company hasn’t confirmed specs, but expect around 641 horsepower.
Like the exterior, the interior is pretty racy with bucket seats, but the low seating position, bolstering, and materials look comfortable enough for a whole day of driving. The infotainment display would probably be the main way to interact with the car’s features, and the low proportions should give this thing a decent-sized cargo hold for a weekend away. The GR GT also uses the company’s first all-aluminum body frame, which could make it lighter than the other cars on this list.
2
Ferrari Amalfi
The Amalfi may be known as the “baby” Ferrari, but its performance says otherwise. A twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 produces 631 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque that runs through a smooth eight-speed transmission. The shape isn’t as angular as the company’s other offerings, but the sculpted styling and clean lines show that this is a car for cruising the shores of Lake Como rather than battling on track. Still, when you want it to be fast, the Amalfi can get to 60 mph in just over 3.0 seconds.
The interior has improved over the Roma, with a lower, landscape touchscreen that improves visibility, real tactile controls on the wheel, and even an aluminum start button for a more romantic way to start your V8 Ferrari. The automaker’s engineers focused on everyday usability, so there are comfy seats and a transmission that is smoother and more refined. It might be the Ferrari people forget about when compared to other Italian supercars, but it’s certainly a great grand tourer.
If you want even prettier styling, look at the droptop version of this car. Its large rear haunches are more pronounced, and with a folding fabric roof that can open in 13.5 seconds at 37 miles per hour, you shouldn’t be caught out in the rain too often. If you’re taking this Italian GT for a drive along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, you might find yourself wanting the wind in your hair.
1
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance
If you want a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a direct link to Formula One, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance should be at the top of your list. The most potent V8 version puts out 805 hp and a prodigious 1,047 lb-ft of torque, all while massaging seats come as standard. All that torque is available from only 2,500 rpm, so on the highway, you don’t have to worry about downshifting the nine-speed automatic to pass anyone.
The GT 63’s battery may only get you eight-ish miles on a charge, but it’s enough to get you out of the suburbs and on your way. There’s 7.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and you can even option the rear seats for kids. Even standard, the car has a Burmester Surround Sound system, rear-axle steering, and more lighting than a disco. All of that is controlled through a large touchscreen, which takes away from the luxury experience somewhat. Still, you get liquid-cooled batteries and all-wheel-drive to keep the performance going whatever the conditions.
Base Trim Engine
4L V-8 Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission
9-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
630 HP @5500 RPM
Base Trim Torque
664 lb.-ft. @ 2500 RPM
Base Trim Battery Type
Lithium ion (Li-ion)
Infotainment & Features
9 /10
Sources: Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota
