Ferrari F12 Berlinetta vs Aston Martin DB11 vs Mercedes-AMG GT S

Grand tourers: luxurious performance vehicles capable of travelling long distances in comfort. There is no doubt that grand tourer is one of the most popular style of performance car out on the market, but which is the best grand tourer out of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, the Aston Martin DB11 and the Mercedes-AMG GT S? I’m going to start off by saying that all of these cars are brilliant grand tourers and performance vehicles but can we find a definitive answer to which is the best at it’s job: maybe!

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta was released in 2012 and really set the standard for a supercar. The F12 is the successor to the Ferrari 599 and is one of the greatest grand tourers, and supercars, in the world, without a doubt.

The F12 uses a 6.3-liter V12 engine producing a whopping 731 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. This engine, of course, creates a rapid car: the F12 accelerates from 0-62 mph in just 3.1 seconds and can reach 211 mph. You could compare this engine and performance to the likes of the Lamborghini Aventador.

The F12 features a surprising large amount of boot space at the rear that is very useful for touring long distances. The interior of the F12 features everything you’ll need for journeying: satellite navigation, heated seats, ventilated seats etc. When buying an F12 you can choose from a number of seat designs from sports seats to bucket seats. If it is a car you’d use for road trips or even just everyday use, you’d probably opt to get sports seats so you have that extra comfort. The F12 body sits a little bit high above the wheels giving you that extra ride height and visibility you’d want from a grand tourer.

Finally, there will still be one thing on your mind right now: how much does it cost? The F12 starts at $323,745 which is a lot of money for a GT. However, you aren’t just getting your typical grand tourer, you’re getting an outstanding supercar that can reach 211 mph!

Aston Martin DB11

Aston Martin create some of the worlds most luxurious automobiles. The Aston Martin DB11 was released at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Furthermore, the DB11 is the successor to the dating DB9. In addition, the DB11 has big boots to fill – it certainly fills them!

The DB11 uses a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 that creates 600 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. You may have noticed that something seems different about the new DB11 engine: it’s the fact that it’s turbocharged. Many worried that the DB11 would lose the great roar of a naturally aspirated engine due to the turbochargers. Om the other hand, Aston Martin have mastered the engine note and it sounds just as loud and angry as ever! This powerful engine leads to a 0-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph: incredible!

Aston Martin never fail to produce a fantastic interior, which is important if you’re travelling long distances in a GT. Furthermore, the DB11 interior hasn’t been let down. The driver now has a 12-inch digital display and the DB11 features a centrally positioned 8-inch screen. Parts of the car have been made by Mercedes, due to the two manufacturers recent partnership. The Aston Martin DB11 is a truly comfortable and luxurious place to be which makes a fantastic grand tourer. Aston Martin really put effort in to making a GT car: there is a GT driving mode and a GT suspension mode – what more do you need?

The DB11 starts from $211,995, which I think is a fair price for the outstanding car you are getting. This car has road presence, style, aggression: everything you’d want from a car of this price.

Mercedes AMG GT S

The Mercedes-AMG GT S, successor to the incredible SLS is another of the world’s great grand tourers. However, it is a lot different to the SLS. Powered by AMG, you can just imagine how great this car is before reading about it!

The GT S uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that makes 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Therefore, the AMG GT S reaches 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 200 mph. The GT S engine is a lot smaller than the 6.3-liter V8 of it’s predecessor.

The AMG GT S consists of the typical AMG interior, as you’d expect, with the large circular air-conditioning vents, the sporty interior etc. However, the GT S doesn’t just consist of a sporty styling, it is a very luxurious cabin to be in as Mercedes have put every ounce of thought into every little part of the car. In addition, the center console has eight circular buttons with a beautiful aluminum outline: it truly looks spectacular!

The AMG GT S is priced a lot lower than the F12 and DB11, starting at $129,900 that is a very, very good price! The GT S is a cheaper configuration of grand tourers but still lives up to the standard of it’s competing GT’s.

Conclusion

Before I begin my conclusion, I’d like to point out that all three of these cars are spectacular grand tourers. Overall, I think the best grand tourer out of the three is the Aston Martin DB11.

The Aston Martin DB11 has by far the most luxurious and comfortable interior that for me is the most important feature of a grand tourer. Although, the DB11 isn’t as fast as the Mercedes or the Ferrari, it still gives you enough performance to excite and thrill anybody.

The F12 is personally one of my favorite cars of all time. However, the price is very steep and it isn’t as comfortable as the Aston. I would without a doubt say the F12 is the greatest but as a GT, the DB11 has the edge.

The Mercedes-AMG GT S is an impressive bit of kit. However, the AMG does not have the wow factor of the Aston Martin or even the Ferrari. Although the AMG is cheaper, I just don’t think you are getting the same level of luxury compared to the Aston Martin. So if you could afford the Aston, I’d say get the Aston over the AMG.