New Corvette Grand Sport unveiled at Geneva show
Race-inspired Corvette Grand Sport edition is designed to handle circuit work
Chevrolet has chosen the Geneva Motor Show to reveal a new version of the famed Corvette Grand Sport.
First introduced as a racing package for the Corvette in the 1960s, later generations of the Grand Sport paired uprated suspension and improved handling with standard-tune engines.
The same principle of making a great-handling road car that’s still relatively affordable has been applied to the 2017 model, although its 460bhp 6.2-litre LTI engine does benefit from the cooling system and dry-sump lubrication borrowed from the Z51 performance pack.
In terms of the Corvette line-up, the new Grand Sport fits between the standard Corvette Stingray, and the awesomely potent Corvette Z06.
The new model also features uprated suspension with magnetic ride control and meaty 285/30 ZR19 front and 335/25 ZR20 rear Michelin tyres on bespoke Grand Sport design wheels. It also features unique springs and anti-roll bars and is said to be able to pull an impressive 1.05g in corners. The standard Brembo brakes feature 14-inch rotors at the front with six-piston calipers, and 13.4-inch rotors with four piston calipers at the back.
The Corvette Grand Sport will be offered in coupe and convertible body styles with both seven-speed manual (featuring rev-matching) and eight-speed automatic (paddle-shift) gearbox options.
Race-track inspired stripes are on the options list too, as is a Z07 upgrade package that adds Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, carbon ceramic brakes and various carbonfibre aerodynamic aids.
The Corvette Grand Sport will go on sale in Europe in the Autumn, with prices to be confirmed. Chevy also plans to release a Grand Sport Collector Edition, in exclusive Watkins Glen Grey Metallic paint with blue hash-mark graphics, satin black body stripes, black wheels plus a full leather and suede interior in Tension Blue.
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