DriveTribe Wonders if McLaren 570GT and Porsche Panamera Turbo Can Be Grand Tourers

How do two non-traditional luxury tourers compare to an Aston Martin DB11?

What is a grand touring car? Traditionally, that phrase (or the Italian gran turismo, if you prefer) has represented the kind of sports car that you can take on a long trip with your significant other. In that past, that has meant front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, big boot, comfortable interior, suspension tuning for rough roads, and—crucially—the ability to have fun on the way there without being exhausted. As DriveTribe explores in their newest video, the definition of a GT car has altered. Do the McLaren 570GT and Porsche Panamera Turbo fit the bill along with a traditional grand tourer like the Aston Martin DB11?

If you know about Betteridge’s law of headlines, you can probably apply that to the last question. The answer, broadly, is “no” even though both the McLaren and Porsche can tick all the grand-touring boxes. Even with “GT” slapped on the end of its name, the 570 is still a purposeful sports car at heart. It can handle long road trips with aplomb, but it’s still awfully close to driving a “fighter plane.” Similarly, the Panamera drips with competence for GT duties, but  with four doors and aircraft carrier length, it’s still a super-sporty saloon car. That said, the “Gee-Whiz” factor of the Panamera’s super-sporty saloon spoiler is undeniable. 

Fantastic. And a second angle:

With the Aston, you more or less know what kind of grand tourer the DB11 will be. Since the company has built them for nigh-on 65 years, they’ve got the formula down. But with McLaren and Porsche encroaching on GT territory with non-traditional offerings that do the work well, is there still likely a market for classic-designed GT cars? I suppose that’s a discussion for another day. For now, enjoy DriveTribe’s take on this trio.