Chevrolet Announces New Corvette Grand Sport on the Racetrack

The current Chevrolet Corvette C8 debuted in the summer of 2019 in base Stingray form with a 6.2-liter V8 producing 502 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. In the fall of 2021, Chevrolet introduced the more track-focused Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 delivering 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. Early 2023 brought the hybrid, all-wheel-drive Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray rated at 665 horsepower.

The lineup kept expanding. By mid-2024, the extreme Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 arrived with a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 producing 1,079 horsepower and 827 lb-ft of torque. Last summer, the even more powerful Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X claimed the top spot with a hybrid system generating 1,267 horsepower and 973 lb-ft. But the Corvette family is still growing. During the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring, Chevrolet unexpectedly rolled out a preview of the new Corvette Grand Sport without any prior announcement.

The car appeared on track alongside several Grand Sport models from earlier generations. Its wide bodywork appears to be shared with the E-Ray and Z06 variants, while the quad exhaust outlets are positioned in the center, similar to the Z06 layout.

New exterior details include a revised front splitter and a sharper rear spoiler. Observers also noticed a unique center section in the front bumper that appears to be made from exposed carbon fiber.

The demonstration car wore a classic deep blue finish, while the black wheels echoed the styling used on the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport C7. Red brake calipers were clearly visible behind the spokes, reinforcing the performance look.

Official technical specifications have not yet been released. According to early reports, the new Grand Sport could feature a 6.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 from the LS6 family using both port and direct fuel injection. Output is expected to land at roughly 558 horsepower. If that proves accurate, the Grand Sport would slot neatly between the Stingray and Z06 in the Corvette hierarchy.

Chevrolet reportedly expects the model to become the most popular Corvette in the lineup. More details are scheduled to be revealed during the official debut on March 26.

And the expansion may not stop there. Industry rumors suggest that the current E-Ray could eventually be replaced by a hybrid Grand Sport X, featuring all-wheel drive, a front electric motor, and a combined output of about 731 horsepower.