Unveiling the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
The iconic American automaker Chevrolet lifted the curtains off their all-new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. With a rich lineage tracing back to Corvette Racing, the fresh-faced Grand Sport manifests its motorsport heritage into a compelling consumer sports car.
Design and Performance
Mirroring design attributes of its racing cousin, the Le Mans-winning Corvette C7.R GTE Pro race car, the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport encapsulates a meticulous blend of lightweight architecture, track-tested aerodynamics, and a naturally aspirated engine. Wearing Michelin rubber, the Grand Sport claims a notable estimated 1.05g in cornering capability, which can reach up to 1.2g when equipped with the optional Z07 package.
On the exterior, the Grand Sport adopts a tribute-style design, reminiscent of its 1963 predecessor that was poised to compete against the world's best sports cars. The project was halted due to a corporate decision to suspend direct involvement in motorsports, leading to a scant production run of only five units.
Innovation in the DNA
“Corvette has embedded racing into its DNA for over half a century, contributing significantly to the improvement of our cars,” shared Mark Reuss, Executive VP of Global Product Development and Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “The universal appreciation for the seventh-generation Corvette validates this intimate connection and the 2017 Grand Sport takes this track-inspired technology to an exciting new threshold.”
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, available as both a coupe and convertible, is slated for a summer launch in the U.S., with European markets receiving the sports car in fall.
A Performance Powerhouse
Under the hood, the Corvette Z06’s chassis tuning, enhanced cooling systems, and performance technologies have been repurposed to build a Grand Sport capable of living up to its racing-infused legacy.
“We have pulled out all the stops with the new Grand Sport,” declared Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer. “For the first time, we are offering a Z07 performance package for the Grand Sport – adding carbon-ceramic brakes, Michelin Sport Cup 2 summer tires, and a carbon-fiber aero package that delivers true downforce.”
As a result, the Grand Sport equipped with the Z07 package shows impressive track capability, lagging less than one second behind the previous-generation Corvette ZR1's track record at GM’s Milford Proving Ground.
Technical Highlights
Key features of the Grand Sport include Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires, specific Grand Sport wheel design (19x10 inches in the front, 20x12 inches in the rear), and a Brembo braking system with 14-inch rotors (355 mm) and six-piston calipers in the front, alongside 13.4 inch (340 mm) rotors and four-piston calipers in the rear.
The sports car also houses a standard electronic limited-slip differential, an LT1 V8 engine producing 460 hp (343 kW), and a seven-speed manual transmission with active rev match, alongside an optional eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission.
Additional aesthetic enhancements include Grand Sport-specific front fender inserts, a Z06-style grille, and wider rear fenders. An available Heritage package incorporates hash-mark fender graphics in six colors, with a similar design theme extended to the interior's brushed aluminum trim.
The Grand Sport Collector Edition
For those craving exclusivity, the Grand Sport Collector Edition comes draped in a unique Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior, paired with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black full-length stripes, black wheels, and an interior swathed in Tension Blue full leather and suede. This special edition will be available later in the model year in the U.S. and Europe.
-Ed
2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
