Making a statement in Geneva.
The Grand Sport nameplate can trace its roots all the way back to the 1960s when one rogue Corvette engineer began to sneak motorsport-spec bits on road-going models for customers during a company-wide racing ban. From there the Grand Sport name grew throughout the Corvette model history to the new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport of today. The new sports car has everything from motorsport-derived suspension bits to custom wheels, and lots more.
The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport draws much of its lightweight, performance-oriented nature from the Corvette C7.R GTE Pro racer that won the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“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. “The global acclaim for the seventh-generation Corvette validates that direct link and the 2017 Grand Sport takes its track-bred technology to a new, exciting threshold.”
A full track-oriented aerodynamics package helps to generate downforce on the body while a hardcore chassis setup from the custom wheels to springs helps achieve 1.05 G of lateral acceleration – 1.2 G with the optional Z07 package.
Unique Grand Sport custom wheels are used and mounted in a staggered 19 x 10.0 front and 20 x 12.0 rear setup. These are shod in 285/30 ZR19 front and 335/25 ZR20 rear Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. New Brembo brakes featuring six- and four-piston calipers with 14.0- and 13.4-inch rotors provide more than adequate stopping power. Model-specific stabilizer bars, springs, and a magnetic ride control system ensures that the new Corvette Grand Sport can eat up corners.
Pumping out the power is the 460 horsepower LT1 V-8 engine displacing 6.2 liters. The engine does benefit from a dry-sump lubrication system and is mated to a choice of seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. An electronic limited-slip differential also comes standard.
Visually, the aerodynamically-optimized body work also includes wider rear fenders, a grille similar to that of a Z06, and new front fender inserts.
As an option, customers can order a Z07 upgrade package. This adds new Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Cup tires on the custom wheels, carbon ceramic matrix brakes, and other goodies.
The new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport will be available in the full range of colors and interior styling as the Stingray model. A special Heritage package is also available along with a special Grand Sport Collector’s Edition that will be available later in the year.
Source: Chevrolet
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