Design: Nuvolari and Lenard
Interior Design: Andreani Design
Naval Architect: Beneteau Power Boats and Micad
Key features:
The Gran Turismo 40 is relatively new to Australia … but globally it’s a bit of an icon.
This elegant sports cruiser cuts effortlessly through even the roughest swell thanks to the planing hull with Beneteau unique Air Step® 2 technology.
The powerful Volvo engine options deliver impressive acceleration and a top speed of 38 knots.
The Gran Turismo 40 offers a sublime entertaining space with the largest cockpit in its class and seating for up to 12 people.
The large teak table in the cockpit converts to a sun bed and the electronic opening sunroof and side windows allow you to perfectly control light, shade and breeze.
The huge hydraulic submersible swim platform is the largest in its class and holds up to 180 kgs. It dips 10cm under the water for easy access for water sports and swimming. It also stabilises the boat at anchor for comfortable nights on board.
The interior of the Gran Turismo 40 is pure Italian indulgence and elegance and filled with light.
Apli matt walnut woodwork, padded and lacquered furnishings, soft-touch leatherette upholstering and Corian® worktops are just some of the choices that combine to deliver sumptuous luxury.
Forward, the spacious master stateroom has an island bed and aft, the second room has the option of convertible twin beds or a double bed.
Overall length: 12.67m
Hull length: 11.50m
Hull beam: 3.85m
Light displacement: 7935kg
Fuel tank capacity: 650l
Fresh water capacity: 200l
Max engine power: 2 x 370HP
Propulsion: Stern drive
CE Certification: B10/C10
Innovation: Air Step® 2 technology
A New Gran Turismo 40 for the Haynes
Charlie Haynes knows the Beneteau brand well. He has raced on Beneteaus in the past and completed the Sydney to Hobart.
However, Charlie’s wife, Sam isn’t really a ‘yachtie’ and so when the time came to look for their dream boat, she liked the idea of a power cruiser. With their four children grown up now, Sam wanted something that they could just get on and go … and something that was easy to maintain.
Find out more about why they chose the Beneteau brand and the Gran Turismo. Watch the video and read their story.
Replacing the Gran Turismo 38, the new Gran Turismo 40 introduces a silhouette conceived by designers Nuvolari-Lenard and a redesigned cockpit with a centre helm and optional lowering swim platform. Propelled by dual Volvo Penta 300 horsepower diesel engines (D6 370 optional) and incorporating the new Air Step 2 hull design, the Gran Turismo 40 provides a combination of increased fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability, while offering an appealing sense of style in its new shape.
BoatTEST.com’s Captain Steve steps on board the Gran Turismo 40 to review the new design and give a comprehensive feature tour. The main focus for Beneteau was to create more social areas with extra comfort. Captain Steve gives a full video tour of the boat highlighting important entertaining features such as the aft galley and the large cockpit space to easily seat ten people. Find out what he thought …
The Beneteau Gran Turismo 40 marks a new dawn for the French yard’s good value sports cruiser range, as Nick Burnham reports.
The Beneteau Gran Turismo 40 comes to market looking to do things a little bit differently.
John Curnow takes the Gran Turismo 40 out for a test drive in Sydney Harbour. What were his first impressions on performance?
“She can get up to full pace from standstill well inside the length of Garden Island on Sydney Harbour (bit over 14 seconds), deals with small chop easily, and with only a small amount of jarring. Naturally this is inherent in all planing hulls, but the air-step version used by Beneteau not only rides well, it ensures you can cruise effortlessly at 24 knots. Large chines also mean that spray is pushed well away, so I never copped anything through the huge cavity above my head that is the glorious opening hardtop.”
