A ‘purist’ model that leverages a half-century legacy of motorsports success
- Lightweight architecture and track-honed aerodynamics
- An engine offering an estimated 1.05g in cornering capability and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package
- Coupe and convertible available this summer in U.S. and fall in Europe
- Grand Sport Collector Edition available later in model year
GENEVA – With Corvette Racing in its DNA, the all-new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is a pure expression of the car’s motorsports-bred pedigree. It was introduced today at the Geneva International Motor Show.
Like the 2015 Le Mans-winning Corvette C7.R GTE Pro race car, the new Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport offers an estimated 1.05g in cornering capability – and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package.
Heritage-inspired design cues and exclusive features acknowledge the historic Grand Sport legacy, established in 1963 to take on the world’s best sports cars. Only five were built before a corporate decision suspending direct motorsports involvement ended the project.
“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.”
The Corvette Grand Sport coupe and convertible go on sale this summer in the U.S. and in the fall in Europe.
No holding back
Engineers adapted the chassis tuning, upgraded cooling systems, and performance technologies of the Corvette Z06 to give the new Grand Sport capability commensurate with its racing-derived history.
“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.”
The result is a potent track car. In fact, the Grand Sport with the Z07 package is less than one second off the track record for the previous-generation Corvette ZR1 on the road course at GM’s Milford Proving Ground.
Content highlights for Grand Sport include:
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires: 285/30ZR19 (front) and 335/25ZR20 (rear)
- Specific Grand Sport wheel design: 19×10 inches (front) and 20×12 inches (rear)
- Brembo brake system with (355 mm) 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers in front and (340 mm) 13.4 inch rotors and four-piston calipers in the rear
- Standard magnetic ride control, specific stabilizer bars and unique springs
- Standard electronic limited-slip differential
- LT1 V8 engine rated at (343 kW) 460 hp, with dry-sump oiling system and active exhaust
- Seven-speed manual transmission with active rev match and available eight-speed paddle-shift automatic with specific performance calibration
- Available Z07 package adds carbon ceramic-matrix brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Cup tires.
In addition to track-focused aero elements, the Grand Sport also features specific front fender inserts, a Z06-style grille and wider rear fenders – a distinctive design package that gives the car a track-ready attitude.
Grand Sport models are offered with the Stingray’s full exterior and interior color palette. An available Heritage package includes hash-mark fender graphics in six colors, with the hash-mark detail carried onto the interior’s brushed aluminum trim. Full-length stripes are also offered.
“The choices are almost endless,” said Harlan Charles, Corvette product marketing manager. “The packages take personalization to an unprecedented level, enabling customers to create their own Corvette Grand Sport statement like no other.”
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 full-length stripes, black wheels and a unique Tension Blue full leather and suede-wrapped interior.
The Tension Blue color is a bold, modern take on the hue historically associated with the Grand Sport. Inside, a three-dimensional representation of an original Grand Sport race car is embossed in the headrests and that shape is also used on an instrument panel plaque that carries a unique build sequence number.
The Collector Edition will be offered later in the model year in the U.S. and Europe.
Track-focused model offers 1.2g cornering, 3.6-sec. 0-60 time with Z07 package
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Chevrolet announced today the track-bred 2017 Corvette Grand Sport will be priced at $66,445 for coupe models and $70,445 for convertibles, when they go on sale this summer. The prices include the destination charge, but not tax, title and other dealer fees.
With heritage-inspired design cues combined with track-focused chassis and suspension elements, the new Grand Sport builds on a legacy established in 1963, when five Grand Sport race cars were built under the direction of the Corvette’s first chief engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov.
“The racing DNA of the original Grand Sport race cars is in the 2017 model, adding greater dimensions of capability and driver involvement to the Corvette’s award-winning architecture, for a purer driving experience,” said Harlan Charles, Corvette product marketing manager. “It is a worthy successor to the spirit of the originals.”
The 2017 Grand Sport’s lightweight architecture, downforce-producing aerodynamics package, enhanced cooling package, electronic limited-slip differential and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires combine to offer a Chevrolet-estimated 1.05g in cornering capability – and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package, which includes Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
The new Grand Sport also offers estimated 0-60-mph performance of 3.6 seconds and quarter-mile capability of 11.8 seconds at 118 mph, with the available Z07 performance package and available paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission. A seven-speed manual with Active Rev Match is standard.
Further, engineers adapted the Brembo braking system from the Corvette Z06 to give it estimated 60-0-mph performance of less than 100 feet with the available Z07 package, which adds carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors, along the PS Cup 2 tires.
In addition to the track-focused chassis and suspension components, the Grand Sport features unique exterior elements, including specific front fender inserts and Z06-style grille, as well as wider fenders and rear quarter panels to accommodate a wider track.
Grand Sport models are offered with the Stingray’s full exterior and interior color palette, including 10 exterior colors:
- Admiral Blue Metallic (late 2016 addition)
- Watkins Glen Gray Metallic (new for 2017)
- Black Rose Metallic (new for 2017)
- Sterling Blue Metallic (new for 2017)
- Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat
- Arctic White
- Blade Silver Metallic
- Black
- Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat
- Torch Red.
An available Heritage package includes hash-mark fender graphics in six colors, with the hash mark detail carried onto the interior’s brushed aluminum trim. Full-length stripes are also offered in five colors. They are joined by the available Z07 package, five wheel choices and available carbon fiber ground effects to offer a wide and diverse range of customizable choices.
“The choices are almost endless,” said Charles. “The Corvette Grand Sport’s custom ordering options take personalization to an unprecedented level, enabling customers to create their own Corvette Grand Sport statement.”
A Grand Sport Collector Edition will be offered later in the model year, featuring Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black full-length stripes, black wheels and a unique Tension Blue full leather and suede-wrapped interior. A three-dimensional representation of an original Grand Sport race car is embossed in the headrests and that shape is also used on an instrument panel plaque that carries a unique build sequence number.
FAST FACT
The new Grand Sport builds on a legacy established in 1963, when five Grand Sport race cars were built under the direction of the Corvette’s first chief engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov.
BASE PRICE
$66,445
EPA VEHICLE CLASS
Two-seater
NEW FOR 2017
- With Corvette Racing in its DNA, the all-new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is a pure expression of the car’s motorsports-bred pedigree
- Combining a lightweight architecture, track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine, the Grand Sport offer an estimated 1.05g in cornering capability – and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package
- Heritage-inspired design cues and exclusive features acknowledge the historic Grand Sport legacy
- A special Collector Edition package will be available later in the model year that includes Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior color complemented with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics and an exclusive Tension Blue interior
- Offers estimated 0-60-mph performance of 3.6 seconds and quarter-mile capability of 11.8 seconds at 118 mph, with the available Z07 performance package and available paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission
- Brembo braking system adapted from the Corvette Z06 offers estimated 60-0-mph performance of less than 100 feet
VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- Offered in 1LT, 2LT and 3LT trims
- Unique exterior elements include specific front fender inserts and Z06-style grille, as well as wider fenders and rear quarter panels to accommodate a wider track
- Specific Grand Sport cup wheel design: 19×10 inches (front) and 20×12 inches (rear), offered in five appearance finishes
- Front splitter, rockers and wicker bill rear spoiler (carbon fiber ground effects available)
- Functional brake ducts and enhanced cooling package
- Standard Brembo brake system with 14.6-inch (370 mm) rotors and six-piston calipers in front and 14.4-inch (365 mm) rotors and four-piston calipers in the rear
- Standard magnetic ride control, specific stabilizer bars and unique springs
- Standard electronic limited-slip differential
- LT1 V-8 engine rated at 460 hp, (343 kW) with dry-sump oiling system and active exhaust
- The available Z07 package adds larger carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors in addition to the PS Cup 2 tires
- Five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to fit the driver’s environment
- Interior that offers genuine carbon fiber and aluminum trim, hand-wrapped leather materials and dual eight-inch configurable, color driver/infotainment screens
- Chevrolet MyLink with 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone projection capability
- Available red safety belts
- PDR updates include mute button for recording , enhanced recording screen shows selected overlay, odometer added to Valet, Sport and Track overlays
SAFETY FEATURES
- Four standard air bags, including side-impact air bags
- Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS
- Active Handling with electronic stability control
- Safety belt pretensioners
- Standard rear-vision camera and available front curb-view cameras
- Tire pressure monitoring with run-flat tires
2017 CHEVROLET CORVETTE GRAND SPORT SPECIFICATIONS
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
| City | 16 (GM est.) |
| Highway | 25 (GM est.) |
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
| 18.5 gal. / 70 liters |
ENGINE
| Type: | LT1 6.2L V-8 VVT with direct injection and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): |
460 @ 6000 rpm (with active exhaust) |
| Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm): |
465 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm (with active exhaust) |
TRANSMISSION & AXLE
| Type: | 7-speed manual with Active Rev Match 8-speed paddle-shift automatic |
| Final Drive Ratio: | 3.42 (manual) 2.73 (automatic) |
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
| Front Suspension: | Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite spring, Magnetic Selective Ride Control – with Grand Sport-specific spring rate and stabilizer bar size |
| Rear Suspension: | Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite spring, Magnetic Selective Ride Control – with Grand Sport-specific spring rate and stabilizer bar size |
| Steering Type: | Variable-ratio rack-and-pinion with electric power assist |
| Turning Circle (ft. / m): |
37.7 / 11.5 |
| Brake Type: | Front and rear power-assisted discs with two-piece steel rotors; fixed six-piston aluminum front calipers and fixed four-piston aluminum rear calipers; carbon ceramic matrix rotors with Z07 pkg. |
| Brake Rotor Size (in / mm): | Front std. : 14.6 / 370 Front w/Z07: 15.5 / 394 Rear std.: 14.4 / 365 Rear w/Z07: 15.3 / 388 |
| Wheel Size: | Front: 19-inch x 10-inch Rear: 20-inch x 12-inch |
| Tire Size: | Michelin Pilot Super Sport run-flat (std.) Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (Z07) Front: P285/30ZR19 Rear: P335/25ZR20 |
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Wheelbase (in. / mm): |
106.7 / 2710 |
| Overall Length (in. / mm): |
176.9 / 4493 |
| Overall Width (in. / mm): |
77.4 / 1965 |
| Overall Height (in. / mm): |
48.6 / 1234 (coupe) 48.7 / 1237 (convertible) |
| Track (in. mm): | 63.5 / 1613 (front) 62.5 / 1588 (rear) |
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Headroom (in / mm): |
38 / 962 |
| Legroom (in. / mm): |
43 / 1092 |
| Shoulder Room (in. / mm): |
55 / 1397 |
| Hip Room (in. / mm): |
54 / 1371 |
WEIGHTS & CAPACITIES
| Curb Weight (lb. / kg): |
3428 / 1555 (coupe) 3487 / 1582 (convertible) |
| EPA passenger volume (cu. ft. / L): | 52 / 1472 |
| Cargo volume (cu. ft. / L): |
15 / 425 (coupe) 10 / 283 (convertible) |
