The Chevrolet Corvette C8 Grand Sport was believed to be planned to launch for the 2023 model year to assume its rightful place in the eighth-generation Corvette family. However, GM Authority has reason to believe that the C8 Grand Sport will actually not come to market. Instead, its place will be taken by the Corvette C8 E-Ray.
Prior to this revelation, here’s what we expected from the Corvette C8 Grand Sport:
Overview
The Grand Sport, or GS, is expected to combine the drivetrain from the C8 Stingray with the chassis improvements and lightweighting from the C8 Z06.
Photos
No photos of the Corvette C8 Grand Sport are currently available. We will update this section one we get the very first spy shots.
Engine
GM Authority expects the Corvette C8 Grand Sport to be powered by the same naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 engine as in the C8 Corvette Stingray, but tuned to be slightly more powerful, making about 510 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque (compared to the 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in the Stingray with the Z51 Performance Package).
Transmission
Shifting duties in the C8 Grand Sport will be handled by the same eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission as in the Chevrolet C8 Stingray. Like with all other variants of the C8, a manual transmission will not be offered.
Co-developed with TREMEC, the dual-clutch automatic delivers lightning-fast shifts and incredible power transfer in the Stingray model, and we have no reason to believe that this will change for the Grand Sport. The transmission was designed to provide drivers with the best of both worlds: the spirited feel and direct connection associated with a manual as well as the premium driving comfort of an automatic. The double-paddle de-clutch feature allows the driver to disconnect the clutch by holding both paddles for more manual control, in addition to choosing a specific gear. This enables the drive to perform a free-rev, if and when desired.
Power will be sent to the rear wheels.
Chassis
We expect the C8 Grand Sport to feature an upgraded chassis compared to the C8 Stingray. In fact, the model will most likely utilize the suspension setup directly from the C8 Z06.
That means that the Magnetic Ride Control system might be replaced by DSSV dampers, which might be better-suited for on-track performance. That change, in turn, could lead to a considerable revamp of the suspension system as a whole.
Larger, more capable brakes compared to the Stingray will also be part of the upgraded chassis in the Grand Sport.
Performance
Specific performance figures for the Corvette C8 Grand Sport are not available, but we do expect it to be very capable. It might not be as powerful as the C8 Z06, but it should still be able to hold its own at the track, outperforming the base Stingray.
A 0-60 mph time around 2.8-2.9 seconds should be well within reach. However, the point of this car will not be straight-line acceleration. Instead, the C8 Grand Sport will be focused on being a very capable track car, much like the Z06, but at a lower price.
Meanwhile, the superior balance of the mid-engine configuration will aid in achieving higher levels of performance, as the layout maximizes traction and grip, enabling more power to be put to the pavement compared to a front-engine, rear-drive setup.
Exterior
The exterior will feature a “wide body” design, with flared fenders front and back to accommodate larger wheels and tires, bigger brakes and more capable powertrain cooling. We do not expect the Grand Sport to feature any active aerodynamic features.
Body Styles
We expect the Corvette C8 Grand Sport to be available as a two-door coupe (with a removable hard top panel) and a hard-top convertible.
Interior
Inside, the Corvette C8 Grand Sport will not stray far from the world-class cabin introduced by the C8 Stingray. The same general cockpit is expected, with Grand Sport badging and a few unique accents throughout.
Availability
We expect the C8 Grand Sport to become available in late 2022 calendar year as a 2023 model year vehicle.
Production
Like all other Corvette models, the C8 Grand Sport will be assembled at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky – home of the Corvette.
We expect the LT2 motor to be assembled at the GM Tonawanda engine plant in Buffalo, New York.
Platform
The C8 Grand Sport be underpinned by the GM Y2 platform – the new mid-engine vehicle architecture that underpins all variants of the Corvette C8.
GM Global B will serve as the vehicle’s electrical system. In fact, a big reason why the entire Corvette C8 family, starting with the C8 Stingray, saw a six-month-long delay in coming to market, was to utilize the Global B electrical system.
Pricing
Pricing for the C8 Grand Sport is currently unknown. However, GM Authority expects the MSRP to start around the $70,000 mark.
Specs
C8 Grand Sport specifications currently not available. We will update this section once we have them.
Other Corvette C8 Variants
The Corvette C8 E-Ray will be one of many model variants in the C8 range, which will consist of:
- C8 Stingray – the base Corvette that a great all-round performer
- C8 Z06 – a track-focused, all-motor missile
- C8 E-Ray – a new model that hybridizes the Stingray, gives it a wide body treatment and takes the place of the Grand Sport
- C8 Grand Sport – a lightweight model that uses the Z06 body with the motor from the Stingray
- Model will not come to market, and will be indirectly represented by Corvette E-Ray
- C8 ZR1 – the range-topping, non-hybrid flagship slotting beneath the Zora focused on touring and cruising
- C8 Zora – the undisputed range-topping flagship with close to 1,000 horsepower and AWD capability
Discussion
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