2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Looks More Menacing than its Bite [Video]

2017 chevrolet corvette grand sport | geneva motor show

Not quite as grand as the range-topping Corvette Z06, but impressive nonetheless is the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport that made its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show. With a heritage that goes back to its racing roots, the Corvette Grand Sport features a lightweight architecture, track-focused aero bodywork borrowed from the Z06, and a 470 horsepower naturally aspirated engine.

“We didn’t hold back with the new Grand Sport,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “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 tires, and carbon-fiber aero package that delivers true downforce.”

Engineers left out the 650 horsepower supercharged V8 but massaged the chassis, upgraded the cooling systems and performance tech of the Corvette Z06 to give the new Grand Sport capabilities that live up to its track-cred. Brembo brakes, magnetic ride control, and electronic limited slip differential all combine for some awesome performance.

The result is a supreme track car that has up to 1.2g of lateral grip when outfitted with the available Z07 package. According to Chevrolet, the Grand Sport with the Z07 package can tear up the road course at GM’s Milford Proving Ground to put it within one second of the track record held by the previous-generation Corvette ZR1.

Consumers can personalize their Corvette Grand Sport from a choice of 10 different exterior colors and several different stripe colors, or choose the Grand Sport Collector Edition.

The Grand Sport Collector Edition features an exclusive Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black stripes, black 19×10 inch wheels at the front and 20×12 inch wheels at the rear, and a unique Tension Blue full leather and suede-wrapped interior. A three-dimensional figure of an original Grand Sport race car carries a unique build sequence number on the dash and is also embossed in the headrests.

The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport coupe and convertible go on sale this summer in the U.S. and in the fall in Europe. Prices were not announced but will be slotted somewhere between a $55k Corvette Stingray and $80k Corvette Z06.