2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is a naturally aspirated thriller in Geneva
Chevrolet has unveiled the 2017 Corvette GS in Geneva, and it sits between the base Stingray and the fire-breathing forced-induction Z06.
It might seem odd that Chevrolet has chosen to round out its Corvette lineup here at the Geneva Motor Show, but the legendary sports car knows a thing or two about winning hearts, minds and hardware in the company of far pricier Europeans.
The 2017 Grand Sport, which was something of a surprise reveal, will live in the white space between the standard Corvette Stingray and "Big Nasty," the Corvette Z06. Think of it as a Stingray, that's not just dressed in Z06 clothing, but which shares its cooling system, electronic limited-slip differential, Magnetic Ride Control suspension (with unique springs), dry-sump lubrication, dual-mode exhaust and so on. Powered by the Stingray's naturally aspirated 460-horsepower LT1 V-8 engine. It will be most easily identifiable by its twin hash marks on its driver-side front fender.
The Grand Sport will be available in both Coupe and Convertible flavors this summer, with a special Grand Sport Collector Edition going on sale later this model year. It's the model seen here in Watkins Glen Gray Metallic with Tension Blue trimming outside and in the cabin. And yes, that trimming figures to be an acquired taste.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport will be most easily identified by its trademark twin hash marks on the fender.
Chevrolet claims that with its optional Z07 package, the new Z06 will corner at up to 1.2, but even the standard car will hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds. It will get around to the tune of 1.05g thanks to its 285/30 ZR19 and 335/25 ZR20 tires. Michelin Pilot Super Sports are standard and Sport Cup 2 summer rubber comes with the Z07 package. The Z07 package also includes higher-downforce carbon-fiber aero bits and carbon-ceramic brakes.
So equipped, Chevy claims the Corvette GS rounds General Motors' own Milford Proving Ground circuit within 0.6 seconds of the last-generation ZR1.
