2027 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport / Grand Sport X First Look: Is This the Sweet Spot?
Two New Chevy Sports Cars Bundle a Brand-New V-8 Engine with Go-Fast Parts from the Z06 at a More Attainable Price Than Recent Corvettes.
The Corvette team has been pushing the envelope for years, and they’re not easing up. Even after delivering the 8,600-rpm Z06, the 1,064-hp ZR1, and the hypercar-slaying, 1,250-hp ZR1X, the brilliant minds behind America’s sports car are still rolling out new models. With ZR1X deliveries just beginning, Chevy has introduced not one, but two new Corvettes.
The 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X may not match the extreme power of the ZR1 duo, but they aim to round out the Corvette sports car lineup with something special at a more accessible price point. Historically, the Grand Sports have been driver-focused machines that strike a balance between the base Corvette Stingray and the Corvette Z06. Crucially, the Grand Sports debut Chevy’s new LS6 small-block V-8, a 6.7-liter naturally aspirated powerhouse making 535 horsepower.
A Winning Recipe and a New Formula
Ever since the 2010 C6 Corvette, the Grand Sport has represented a kind of insider’s choice—a road-oriented rig that arguably offers the best blend of performance and value in the Corvette family. True to this tradition, the 2027 Grand Sport combines the Corvette Stingray’s new 6.7-liter V-8 with the Z06’s wide body and several of its performance upgrades, which are available as options. This formula has proven successful in the past, and based on the driving characteristics of every other C8 Corvette iteration, we have every reason to believe the Grand Sport will be a truly exceptional sports car.
The first-ever Grand Sport X builds on this concept, using the same formula—and several of the same part numbers—that the 1,250-hp ZR1X employs to outperform the 1,064-hp ZR1. An 186-hp electric motor positioned between the front wheels, coupled with a 1.9-kWh lithium-ion battery in the tunnel between the driver and passenger, transforms the rear-drive Grand Sport into an all-wheel-drive hybrid. Combined with the mid-mounted 535-hp gasoline engine, the all-wheel-drive X produces 721 horsepower, a 66-hp increase over the 655-hp Corvette E-Ray it replaces. We project 0–60 mph times in the low two-second range and quarter-mile runs in the low 10s.
Chevy’s Small-Block V-8 Grows Bigger
Chevy is labeling the Corvette’s new V-8 as the LS6, a nod to the fact that this is only the sixth generation of the small-block. It’s worth noting that there have been more Catholic church popes than Chevy small-blocks since 1955, so if you’re a devotee of the naturally aspirated V-8, let the exhaust valves open and send up some white smoke—there’s a new leader in the world of high-performance engines.
The LS6 embodies the timeless engineering principle that there’s no substitute for displacement. Chevy engineers have enlarged the Corvette’s engine from 6.2 to 6.7 liters by extending the stroke from 92 to 100 millimeters. The bore and the 4.4-inch bore spacing, a hallmark of the small-block since its inception, remain unchanged. The longer stroke translates to even greater torque gains than horsepower improvements. Compared to the Corvette Stingray’s outgoing LT2 V-8, the LS6 delivers 40 more horsepower and 50 more lb-ft of torque. It produces more torque than any other naturally aspirated V-8 currently in production, with a peak output of 520 lb-ft arriving earlier in the rev range at 4,600 rpm.
The new engine operates at a higher compression ratio of 13.0:1, up from 11.5:1, and incorporates port fuel injection to improve particulate emissions. To withstand the increased stresses of the LS6, the pistons and connecting rods are now forged, which will be a boon for tuners who inevitably plan to extract even more performance from this new small-block.
The engine emits a fierce bark upon startup, a deep rumble at idle, and a wild snarl as it climbs through the revs. Chevy will offer two exhaust systems for the LS6. The standard configuration splits the four exhaust tips between the left and right sides of the car, while the optional system consolidates all four in the center of the vehicle. Both systems feature active valves to modulate the engine’s sound and volume, with no difference in power output. However, Chevy engineers assert there is a noticeable sonic distinction between the two (we have only heard the car with the optional exhaust). Reportedly, the center exhaust is the preferred choice.
What Defines a Grand Sport?
Both the Grand Sport and Grand Sport X will be available as targa-topped “coupes” and folding-hardtop convertibles. MagneRide adaptive dampers and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential are standard equipment. Power is routed through the Tremec eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and a new 5.56:1 final drive ratio. This more aggressive gearing will enhance acceleration at the expense of fuel economy, and it will also be available on the 2027 Corvette Stingray with the optional Z51 package, which previously used a 5.13:1 ratio.
The rear-drive Grand Sport will be offered with three distinct chassis configurations. The standard touring setup provides the smoothest ride and is paired with Michelin Pilot Sport All Season tires. The Sport Performance package features a stiffer suspension and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires, along with the Z06’s J56 brakes, which undergo a high-temperature ferritic nitro carburizing treatment to improve corrosion resistance. Finally, the Track Performance package mirrors the Z06’s Z07 upgrade, incorporating Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, a carbon-fiber rear wing and dive planes, a unique chassis tune, and a center-exit exhaust. The standard forged wheels are available in four different finishes, with carbon-fiber wheels offered as an option on cars equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes.
The Grand Sport X comes standard with carbon-ceramic brakes to manage its formidable power. Similar to the Grand Sport, Chevy will offer a touring suspension on all-season tires or a Performance suspension tune with summer tires. However, there is no Track package or carbon-fiber aero kit for the X. When queried about this, executive chief engineer Tony Roma advised us to stay tuned. All Grand Sports feature the requisite hash marks on their fenders, though this time they are located at the rear.
Is This the Optimal Balance of Performance and Value?
The Grand Sport is slated to go on sale this summer, with the Grand Sport X following in the fall. Both variants will be available as a Launch Edition for the inaugural model year, featuring a striking blue-dipped leather interior with red stitching and accents.
While Chevy has yet to announce pricing, Roma indicated that the Grand Sport will start under $100,000. At this price point, it is virtually guaranteed to offer exceptional value compared to virtually any other vehicle on the market.
We have a very clear understanding of where the Grand Sport will position itself in terms of pricing, performance, and market segment. Based on the track record of every C8 Corvette that has preceded it, we can even anticipate its driving dynamics, which makes us eager to get behind the wheel. The Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X appear to offer the best opportunity to experience the essence of Corvette’s most specialized models without incurring the substantial cost associated with the Z06, ZR1, or ZR1X.
