The newest addition to the Corvette family is called Grand Sport and it made its world premiere today in Geneva.
Available in two body styles, coupe and convertible, the new performance machine is based on the C7 and benefits from wider fenders, Z06-style grille and 19-/20-inch front/rear wheels, wrapped in 285/30 and 335/25 Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber.
Technical upgrades include GS’ brakes with 14-inch front and 13.4-inch rear rotors, larger than the ones found on the Stingray and even those offered with the optional Z51 performance package, with standard Brembo six-piston calipers.
These are joined by the sportier suspension tune, and the Z51’s electronically controlled rear differential, offered at no extra cost, but if you still want more, then GM offers the optional Z07 pack, which adds carbon ceramic brakes and Pilot Sport 2 Cup tires.
Underneath the long bonnet, engineers have used the standard 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine, rated at 460 HP, which promises to help the car pull up to 1.2 Gs. The eight-pot can be mated to either the seven-speed manual with active rev match or an eight-speed automatic with specific performance calibration and paddle shifters.
Chevy will offer the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport with the Stingray’s full exterior and interior color palette, along with the Heritage package that includes fender hash stripes in six colors and the hash-mark detail carried on the interior’s brushed aluminum trim. Full-length stripes are also on the list.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, which is currently on display in Geneva, will be available for order in the United States this summer and in Europe, from September, in both coupe and convertible forms.
The Grand Sport Collector Edition will complete the lineup, later on, with an exclusive Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior, Tension blue hash-mark graphics, satin black stripes and black wheels. Tension Blue full leather and suede-wrapped interior will be added, along with a 3D representation of an original Grand Sport race car embossed into the headrests. The shape will also be used on an instrument panel plaque, which carries a unique build sequence number.
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