With the exception of the C5 generation, the Grand Sport model has been a part of the Corvette lineup since 1996. Now the C8 gets its own version. The 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport brings heritage design cues that honor the original C2 Grand Sport race cars, a hybrid sibling, and a new LS6 small-block.
Like the C4 Grand Sport, the newest iteration comes dressed in Admiral Blue Metallic with white center striping and red hash marks, although this time around, the hash marks are on the quarter panels as a reminder that the C8’s engine is behind the passenger compartment. Grand Sport-specific 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels are available in four finishes: Pearl Nickel, Gloss Black, Carbon Flash with Bright Polished Surfaces, and High Polished. Lightweight carbon-fiber five-spoke wheels are also on the list of options. The Launch Edition model offers a Santorini Blue-Dipped interior with embossed headrests, a leather-wrapped gauge cluster hood with red center accents, a red center mark on the steering wheel, special badging, and more.
At the Grand Sport’s core is an all-new LS6 V-8. The naturally aspirated 6.7-liter (in other words, a 409) push-rod engine runs 13:1 compression and comes equipped with a 95-mm throttle body, tunnel ram intake with high-velocity ports, new lubrication system, forged pistons and rods, and revised exhaust manifolds. There’s also the option of a quad center-exit exhaust. Output is an LT2-topping 535 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque. Sorry manual fans — the Grand Sport sticks with an eight-speed dual-clutch auto.
Magnetic Ride Control, Touring Suspension, and Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires are standard equipment. To make the Grand Sport even grander, Chevy offers the Z52 Sport Performance and Track Performance Packages. The Sport Performance setup includes a stiffer suspension, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires, and the Z06’s high-performance iron brakes. Upgrading to the Track Performance bundle adds a carbon-fiber splitter, dive planes, rockers, wing, and underbody strakes as well as track chassis tuning, carbon-ceramic brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R rubber.
The Grand Sport X takes performance to an even higher level and channels it through all four wheels. Consider it the replacement for the E-Ray. Like that hybrid, the Grand Sport X pairs V8 power with an electric motor on the front axle and a battery pack, generating a total of 721 horsepower. According to Chevrolet, “Grand Sport X leaps from a stand-still with near-instant access to 145 lb-ft of torque on the front axle. And thanks to an intelligent controls system, the car combines the agility typical of a rear-wheel drive car with the corner-exiting traction only all-wheel drive can provide.”
The Grand Sport’s revival isn’t just good news for fans of the special model — those who are just fine with getting a regular Stingray will benefit from it, too. All 2027 Corvette Stingrays will be powered by the new LS6. On top of that, Chevy updated the Magnetic Ride Control calibrations and gave the Z51 Performance Package a shorter 5.56:1 final drive ratio for better throttle response, revised aerodynamics, and newly developed Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires.
