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2017 C7 Corvette Grand Sport Matches C6 Corvette ZR1 Around Virginia International Raceway

There are some who say, “Why would you skip out on a supercharged Corvette?” Well, when something like the 2017 C7 Corvette Grand Sport comes along, it’s tempting, especially knowing this new information.

According to Corvette Product Manager, Harlan Charles, the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport matched the C6 Corvette ZR1 around Virginia International Speedway during benchmarking. That means the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport clocked a brisk 2:45.18 time around VIR. Charles stated that was with a seven-speed manual gearbox.

Additionally, he revealed the full slew of 2017 Corvette model year changes would be available on May 13.

Tires and aero certainly are the components to thank for such a sweet, sweet time around VIR. The Corvette team has had multiple hits with each iteration of C7 we’ve been graced with thus far, and the Grand Sport sounds like it will be the perfect sweet spot for those looking for more track-readiness, and loads of livability.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. I want to know if this was a one lap number or was this a lap after lap match

    Reply
    1. Hot laps are hardly ever matched lap after lap…even during racing. Mostly, you race for endurance…which requires good/fast, but conservative laps in order not to destroy tires and brakes.

      Reply
  2. Hey there smart one most people already know this! What I was asking for the people out there that are challenged, did the grand sport match the zr1 times of one lap or did the GS continue being as fast as the zr1 lap after lap? Understanding that there will be a speed fall off for the zr1 and the gs. Was the fall off about the same lap after lap.

    Reply
  3. Grand Sport comes with a next level of supplemental cooling systems developed through GM performance. Though ZR1’s seemed to manage their heat slightly better than Z06, it’s because their engine bay trapped a lot more air, the car had more front end lift, and the compressor was larger by volume. The c7GS has extra cooling, actual downforce and next gen rubber, better steering, a stiffer chassis, Ediff…I have no doubt the GS is a better car in all but a straight line.

    Reply
  4. Anyone has to say it’s very impressive that the 2017 C7 Corvette Grand Sport matched the C6 Corvette ZR1 around Virginia International Speedway during benchmark testing meaning that the suspension of the C7 Corvette Grand Sport makes up for the difference in 178 horsepower.

    Reply
  5. This is biased. What your not told is the track was modified from the time the ZR1 was tested a few years ago to when the GS was tested this year. Plus the GS had stickier tires. Theres no way a car with a 150+ hp gap is going to come up with those numbers. Test them at the same time with the same tires lap after lap and come back to us again and tell us how it works out, and not with paid biased GM test drivers.

    Reply

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