Beneteau Gran Turismo 50 Limited Edition Stuns at Paris

BoatBlurb Contributor
27 minutes ago
3 min read

At the recent Paris Nautic Show from November 26th–30th, Beneteau unveiled their new flagship Gran Turismo 50 with a Limited Edition package in partnership with luxury automotive brand Alpine.

The Gran Turismo 50 Alpine Limited Edition will not only be the longstanding boatbuilders new flagship, it will also represent the company's latest aesthetic as it revamps its lineup. The company announced the relaunch of the beloved Gran Turismo Series earlier this year with subsequent unveilings of the Gran Turismo 35, Gran Turismo 40, and now the flagship GT 50.

The new 50-foot design will carry an LOA of 52'4" (15.95 m) with a 14'8" (4.48 m) beam and a 3'10" (1.18 m) draught.

“This is an exciting time for Beneteau,” said Eric LeVine, motor yachts sales director, at the GT 50 announcement. “Gran Turismo has been a hugely popular range for express cruising, showcasing our technology, performance and style. But there was a need to update and modernize the models for our core market. Designed with the consumer at its heart, the new range embodies our vision of ‘Sport-Lux’, providing open spaces with a premium feeling. The all-new Gran Turismo range represents the ultimate crossover express cruiser.”

The Alpine Limited Edition will also raise the bar further with a fusion of classic yacht styling and automotive DNA. Bénéteau brings 140 years of yacht-building expertise to the table while Alpine has decades of racing-inspired design experience as a sportscar manufacturer founded in 1954.

The biggest standout feature of the Alpine Limited Edition is the 'Bleu Abysse,' or Blue Abyss, colour scheme. The design scheme carries Inside and outside the boat with subtle Alpine touches — carbon fiber details, refined textures, and a customised steering wheel at the helm evoking a high-end sports car rather than a traditional cruiser.

Other Alpine-inspired touches include the vessels exterior lines — low, elongated and sporty — echoing Alpine's classic design codes while still showcasing the Gran Turismo 50's identity as a sport-cruiser .

Unlike the older iterations of the Gran Turismo, the new Gran Turismo Series will also offer up to 30% more exterior space for more social space and lifestyle amenities. Standout features include a "villa living" stern with drop-down terraces with an oversized social area. All new models will also be equipped with solar power systems and lithium batteries for quieter use of onboard systems while anchoring. Gyro stabilization is also standard across the lineup.

"The Gran Turismo is a perfect embodiment of Beneteau’s renewed vision for premium cruising," added Robert Chaffer, Beneteau Project Manager. "On board, you'll discover a refined blend of Gran Turismo heritage, where elegance and balance meet the Japanese principles of Kanso simplicity and Yugen grace. From the yacht’s sleek lines to its thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor living spaces, every detail has been crafted to deliver an exceptional onboard experience and unforgettable moments at sea."

Collaborations between marine and automotive companies has ramped in recent years as both sides work to advance their respective tech under new platforms. Last week, Lamborghini and the Italian Sea Group unveiled the 101FT superyacht, while other auto manufacturers like Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, and Maserati have all recently dabbled in the marine sector.