Gran Tourismo? It can't possibly stand for Grand Touring....could it?

 

isn't that like saying six of one, half dozen the other--whats the difference?

 

Yes and yes... It's Gran Turismo or "grand touring" in English. GT is a racing series featuring cars which must be homologated (available as a street car). Personally, I think this is definitely the coolest racing series.

 

that is one meaning of GT/gran turismo (ie cars based on their real life GT counterparts)

the other (slightly more 'everyday') meaning of "Gran Turismo" - which translated from italian literaly just means ' big trip ' - everything sounds ' faster' in italian...

anyway the other meaing is a description of a certain lifestyle, most of the time in Europe.

gran turismo is driving from your old boarding school friend's castle in the french country-side to the cote-de-azur for some yachting, all in time to have a nice dinner in madrid by weeks' end.

you know, that sort of thing

perfect GT car has to be either 911 Turbo or Aston DB9

 

GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato (Italian) which translates to Grand Touring Homologated. To be 'homologated', the manufacturer is required to produce a minimum of 100 cars.

 

Dang, I thought GTO stood for gas, tires and oil

 

Why not Carrera GTO?

 

sounds too pontiac-ish

 

My view of GT cars is that they play two roles: performance cars and luxury cars. Following the literal meaning of the term, they should be comfortable enough to enjoy on long trips. I personally think the ultimate GT car would be the M5. Seats 5 in utmost luxury, has 400bhp on tap and shift the "right" way.

Carrera GT though, I can't see as a true GT car. I like Jeremy Clarkson's (from Top Gear) words on it, "...it's more focused... This is a supercar unplugged."

Not to ruffle anyone's feathers, but I consider the 996 more of a GT car then it's predecessor, the 993. The 993 was more edgy in it's looks and in the way it drove. The 996 was sleeker and had a more comfort based interior. I also think the 996TT would be a great GT car.

 

My idea of a sweet GT car would be a Jaguar XK8 or XKR, Mercedes SL 600, BMW M5, or 928. To me a 996, M3, Ferrari 360 or Lotus Elise is a sports car, and the Carrera GT is a supercar, right there with the Enzo, McLaren, Murcielago, etc...Just my random opinion I thought I'd throw in...

 

BTW, I was talking with my Porsche mechanic the other day and he told me that the dealer was opening a Jaguar store (along with other high end marques sold there). He said while working on some of the new Jags that they are using some Ford parts in these cars! (Jaguar was bought by Ford a few years ago).

 

Well, yeah.....that would decrease costs for Ford...they use honda parts in acuras (yeah I know thats quite a bit different...). I think that was a great move for Jaguar....since then they've made good cars.

 

All the R jaguars, XJR, etc, are using mustang engines :-/
same horsepower and output, slightly different torque curves since the engines are modified. but jaguar is the british translation for FORD. (Fu*^er Only Runs Downhill :P)

 

ummm....no, they aren't mustang engines. The XKR is the supercharged verision of the XK8's 4.2L V8. Ford does not make a 4.2L V8. The Mustang GT and SVT Cobra have 4.6L motors.