Maybe it made its way to the Geneva International Motor Show in not as booming manner as some others, but the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport still packs a major punch.
Like the 2015 Le Mans-winning Corvette C7.R GTE Pro race car, the new Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tyres and a naturally aspirated engine.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport offers an estimated 1.05g in cornering capability – and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package.
“Racing has been part of Corvette’s essence for more than 50 years and that track experience has helped us build better, more capable cars,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president of Global Product Development and Global Purchasing and Supply Chain.
Engineers adapted the chassis tuning, upgraded cooling systems, and performance technologies of the Corvette Z06 to give the new Grand Sport capability commensurate with its racing-derived history.
For the first time, buyers can equip the Grand Sport with a Z07 performance package – which adds carbon-ceramic brakes, Michelin Sport Cup 2 summer tyres, and carbon-fibre aero package that delivers true downforce.
But in stock form, the Corvette Grand Sport is fitted with:
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tyres: 285/30ZR19 (front) and 335/25ZR20 (rear)
- Brembo brake system with 355 mm rotors and six-piston callipers in front and 340 mm rotors and four-piston callipers in the rear
- Standard magnetic ride control, specific stabilizer bars and unique springs
- Standard electronic limited-slip differential
- Naturally aspirated LT1 V8 engine rated at 460 hp, with dry-sump oiling system and active exhaust
- Seven-speed manual transmission with active rev match and available eight-speed paddle-shift automatic with specific performance calibration
Grand Sport Collector Edition
The Grand Sport Collector Edition features an exclusive Watkins Glen Grey Metallic exterior with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black full-length stripes, black wheels and a unique Tension Blue full leather and suede-wrapped interior.
The Tension Blue colour is a bold, modern take on the hue historically associated with the Grand Sport. Inside, a three-dimensional representation of an original Grand Sport race car is embossed in the headrests and that shape is also used on an instrument panel plaque that carries a unique build sequence number.
In the US, the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport (in coupe and convertible style) will only be available in the coming summer before it reaches Europe in the fall. The special Collector Edition will arrive much later in the model year.
