A famous name/trim level is returning in the form of the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport.
Grand Sport got its start in Corvette lore back in the 1960s, when Chevy raced five C2 Corvettes using the name. The idea was that Grand Sports would be lighter and more race-oriented than other Corvettes. Eventually, the name was slapped on trim levels that were meant to offer more performance than base cars but not be quite as hairy as, say, a ZR1.
The C8 Corvette Grand Sport will come as either a coupe with a removable roof or a hardtop convertible. Chevy’s Magnetic Ride Control will be available, and Performance Traction Management will be an option.
Under hood will be a 6.7-liter, naturally-aspirated V8 that makes 535 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant is dubbed the LS6.
This engine will now be the primary mill for the Corvette — it’s going to be dropped into the Stingray, too. It has a 13.0:1 compression ratio and 95-mm throttle body, plus a tunnel-ram intake with high-velocity ports.
The lubrication system is new, and the motor has forged pistons and rods, plus revised exhaust manifolds.
Sorry, three-pedal people — the manual isn’t returning to the Corvette. This one has an eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. The engine will be built in Flint, Michigan.
The rear-drive Grand Sport has a center exhaust, and the wheels will be shod with Michelin Pilot Sport all seasons. Pilot Sport 4S tires are optional, as is the Z52 Track Performance Package — that adds carbon-ceramic brakes and Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. That package also adds track-specific chassis tuning, a carbon-fiber splitter, underbody strakes, and other aero goodies.
There’s also a Grand Sport X on offer for those with a hankerin’ for more power. This all-wheel drive version adds a front-axle electric motor and battery pack and will crank out 721 horsepower. When starting from a stop, 145 lb-ft of torque will be instantly available.
X trims will offer a three-mode system for track strategy — endurance to keep the battery charged for lots of lapping, qualifying for max power for a fast lap, and push-to-pass for, well, passing.
Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, and a Performance Package adds the 4S tires. A Stealth mode allows for EV-only operation up to 50 mph, and a Shuttle mode does the same for off-street EV use up to 23 mph.
Grand Sports will still be available with the blue paint job from before, but the red hash marks seen on previous generations will move from the front fenders to the rear. Other color schemes are available, and there will be a Launch Edition with special interior and exterior markings.
The Stingray gets made over, too. In addition to the LS6 being dropped in, buyers can now get a center exhaust and the available Magnetic Ride Control is tweaked to perform better, especially in terms of body control. The available Z51 Performance Package gets a shorter 5.56:1 final-drive ratio and Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires, which are new to the scene.
We don’t have pricing yet, but the car will be built at the Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
[Images: Chevrolet]
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