A New Kind of GT Is Taking Shape

The grand touring car was born from the desire to cover great distances quickly and comfortably. For decades, that meant a large, smooth combustion engine — ideally a V12 or a refined V8 — doing its work with effortless composure. Now, a new set of manufacturers is asking a provocative question: what if the most capable grand tourer of the next generation runs on electricity?

It's not as far-fetched as it might sound. In some respects, the electric powertrain is a surprisingly natural fit for the GT formula.

Why Electric Works for Grand Touring — In Theory

Consider what a GT car is supposed to do: deliver smooth, effortless power across a wide speed range, cocoon occupants in luxury and refinement, and cover long distances without drama. Electric motors offer:

  • Instant, linear torque — no waiting for the engine to build boost or revs
  • Near silence — the cabin refinement of an EV is unmatched by any combustion car
  • Low centre of gravity — floor-mounted batteries improve handling balance
  • Minimal drivetrain vibration — smoother than any combustion powertrain
  • Over-the-air updates — the car can improve after purchase

The Current Challengers

Porsche Taycan Turbo S

Porsche's Taycan is arguably the most convincing electric GT car currently on sale. The Turbo S produces over 750hp in overboost mode, but it's the consistency and composure of the performance that impresses most. It can lap circuits repeatedly without power fade — something earlier EVs struggled with — and its 800V architecture enables very fast charging.

BMW i7 M70

BMW's flagship electric sedan takes a different approach, prioritising long-distance comfort over outright performance. With a large battery pack and exceptional interior refinement, it makes a strong case as an electric alternative to the traditional V12 GT flagship.

Upcoming Contenders

Several manufacturers have announced electric GT projects. Bentley's transition to full electrification is underway, with the first all-electric Bentley expected in the coming years. Aston Martin has confirmed electrified models. Ferrari has revealed its first all-electric car. The landscape is changing rapidly.

The Real Obstacle: Range Anxiety on Long Routes

Here is where the electric GT faces its most honest challenge. Grand touring, by definition, means covering long distances — often in parts of Europe or North America where charging infrastructure remains patchy. A traditional GT car can refuel in five minutes virtually anywhere. An EV still requires meaningful planning on truly long routes.

Charging speeds are improving. 350kW chargers, where available, can add significant range in 15–20 minutes. But the network coverage is uneven, and that uneven coverage matters most to the driver who wants to take their car through the Alps or across rural France.

What Enthusiasts Are Actually Saying

The enthusiast community's reaction to electric GTs is genuinely mixed. Many drivers who have spent time in a Taycan or an i7 come away more impressed than they expected. The performance and refinement are real. But concerns about long-range usability, the loss of engine sound as part of the GT experience, and the weight of large battery packs continue to be discussed.

These are legitimate questions, not just nostalgia. The GT formula is partly emotional — the sound, the mechanical connection, the ritual of the journey. Whether an EV can replicate or redefine that emotional quality is the central question for the next decade of grand touring.

The Verdict

Electric GT cars are not the future of grand touring — they're already the present. They are capable, refined, and in some ways better than their combustion predecessors. But they haven't yet fully solved the freedom equation that defines the GT ideal. The next five years, as charging infrastructure matures and battery technology improves, will be decisive.

The smart money says it won't be an either/or outcome. Combustion, hybrid, and electric GTs will coexist for longer than regulators might hope — because the demand for all three experiences is real.