When Beneteau launched the new-generation Gran Turismo line, the brief was clear: don’t just upgrade the range — redefine it. The Gran Turismo 40 Coupé, the second model in the lineup after the GT35, does exactly that. This is not a boat that settles for meeting expectations. It expands the playbook for what a 40-foot express cruiser can be: faster, more refined, more versatile, and undeniably stylish.
Debuting at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025, the GT40 Coupé arrives as a statement of intent from Beneteau. It builds on 140 years of boatbuilding heritage and an extensive global owner network — but more importantly, it responds to how people actually want to boat today. Whether that’s weekends away, day cruising with friends, or serious coastal passages, the GT40 Coupé combines poise and performance in a vessel that offers real choice and crossover capability.
The GT40 Coupé offers a luxury of choice
The 40 Coupé sits at just over 12.53-metres (41’15 ”) LOA, with a beam of 4.65 metres (15’3”), delivering a platform that feels expansive without overwhelming the helm. What sets the GT40 Coupé apart isn’t just its dimensions — it’s the luxury of choice. Beneteau offers this model with outboard or sterndrive propulsion, an open-plan or enclosed saloon, and a deck layout optimised for both entertaining and extended cruising.
This flexibility is where the “coupé” designation comes into its own. Owners can opt for a more enclosed layout with weather protection and air conditioning — ideal for humid tropics or off-season use — or go for a breezier open-plan version that keeps the entire main deck connected to the elements. Both variations retain a consistent feel: clean, low-profile styling outside; calm, ambient spaces within.
The GT40 is an entertainer dream
On deck, the GT40 Coupé is set up for seamless indoor-outdoor flow. The aft cockpit is a natural social hub, built around L-shaped seating and an aft-facing wet bar complete with a fridge, grill, and storage — ideal for long afternoons at anchor or evening entertaining. Movement between zones is effortless, and every inch of the boat has been designed with practical ergonomics in mind.
Up front, a large foredeck sunpad with sunken, flip-up seating offers both relaxation and security. There’s even a sun awning option — a welcome addition for Antipodean sun-seekers. Wide side decks, flush thresholds and clever lighting details ensure the GT40 Coupé doesn’t just feel polished — it functions beautifully.
For New Zealand buyers, this is a cockpit that ticks every box. It’s equally suited to a snapper mission in the Hauraki Gulf, a lazy cruise around the Bay of Islands, or tying up for lunch at a Coromandel bay. The smart layout makes loading gear simple, with room for paddleboards, dive tanks, or fishing gear — without ever compromising comfort.
The GT40 Coupé offers serious power with quite control
The GT40 Coupé has been designed from the hull up for serious performance. Owners can choose from two propulsion packages:
Twin Mercury Verado 400hp outboards with 1,200L of petrol Twin Yanmar 8LV 320hp diesels with 805L of fuel and a sterndrive configuration
The Verado setup offers speeds over 35 knots, while the diesel-powered sterndrive version cruises efficiently with a top speed over 32 knots — ideal for those who favour long-distance reliability and fuel economy.
At the helm, everything feels purposeful. Controls fall easily to hand. Sightlines are clean. The dash is free of clutter, designed to complement Mercury’s digital systems or Yanmar’s instrumentation. Handling is sharp and responsive, with naval architecture by Michael Peters ensuring stability at speed and excellent handling through tight turns or lumpy conditions.
As Robert Chaffer, Beneteau’s Product Manager, puts it:
“An enhanced driving experience in terms of comfort, efficiency and handling ensures an optimum drive. Calm interior spaces with ambient lighting embrace the Japanese design ethos of simplicity or ‘Kanso’. And the exterior low-profile styling ensures gracefulness, or ‘Yūgen’, on the water.”
The GT 40 Coupé’s interior is designed for rest
Step below and the coupé reveals its softer side. The interior is spacious and serene, with light wood finishes, indirect lighting, and a strong sense of balance and flow. The forward island berth is bright and comfortable, while the convertible midship berth offers an adaptable space for guests, gear, or quiet time. Integrated stowage and soft-close cabinetry elevate the interior from practical to polished.
There’s a full galley with induction hob, microwave, sink and fridge. The head is fully enclosed with a separate shower stall — a must-have for family cruising or longer coastal runs. Throughout, the GT40 Coupé feels like it belongs at the intersection of yacht and home: private, personal, but always connected to the sea.
The Alpine sedition: A Coupé with attitude
For those who want to stand apart, Beneteau is also offering an Alpine Edition of the GT40 Coupé. Created in partnership with Alpine, the French high-performance brand, this version features:
Signal Grey hull finish with black detailing Navy blue interior highlights Bespoke embroidery, black fittings, and a limited edition plaque Enhanced luxury feel throughout cockpit and helm
It’s a dramatic take on an already elegant platform, aimed squarely at those who see boating as both lifestyle and expression.
Kiwi-ready versatility
The GT40 Coupé is well suited to New Zealand’s varied conditions. The outboard version provides shallow-water access, quick acceleration, and easy servicing — great for exploring the upper North Island or popping over to Kawau for the weekend. The sterndrive model, meanwhile, offers smooth operation and diesel efficiency — ideal for longer-range plans like navigating the Marlborough Sounds or exploring Fiordland’s coastlines.
With 36° Brokers representing Beneteau in New Zealand, local buyers can expect access to test events, walkthroughs, and after-sales support. The GT40 Coupé’s launch at Cannes will be followed by appearances at the Fort Lauderdale, Düsseldorf, and Miami boat shows — with early deliveries scheduled from late 2025.
The GT40 Coupé offers crossover excellence
The Gran Turismo 40 Coupé is a boat that meets you where you are — whether that’s thrill-seeking, entertaining, or simply escaping the noise. It brings together European finesse, real-world performance, and a deeply considered design language that respects both heritage and innovation.
This is not just a bigger GT35. It’s a model that offers greater autonomy, broader appeal, and deeper luxury — all while retaining that signature express cruiser soul. And in a market where choice and capability matter more than ever, the GT40 Coupé delivers on both.
If you’re looking for a fast, stylish cruiser that works just as well off Waiheke as it does on the Riviera, the GT40 Coupé should be on your radar. Because the real luxury, at the end of the day, is not the leather or lighting — it’s the freedom to choose how you use your boat.
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