2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport arrives after 14-year hiatus


General Motors hasn’t offered a Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport since 1996, but that will all change for the 2010 model year. The new Grand Sport combines the Corvette’s LS3-based powertrain with unique, wide-body styling and racing-bred suspension. The model replaces the Z51 package from previous model years.

The car will be offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The LS3 6.2-liter engine is rated at 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque with the standard exhaust system. An optional two-mode exhaust system elevates the power ratings to 436 hp and 428 lb-ft.
Compared with the Z51 trim level it replaces, the Grand Sport delivers better handling, with wider wheels and tires; revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications; and specific gearing. The equipment enables cornering capability of 1.0 g, as well as a 0.2-second improvement in zero to 60 mph acceleration versus standard LS3-powered models.
Other highlights include 18- and 19-inch wheels, a Z06-style splitter and spoiler, functional brake ducts, and Z06-size brakes, including 14-inch front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch rear rotors with four-piston calipers.
All of Corvette’s exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport, and an available Heritage package adds front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The Grand Sport can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages, too.

2010 Corvette Grand Sport: First Drive
By Ben Wojdyla, 12:00 PM on Thu Aug 20 2009

Photo Gallery:
http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/2010GSdrive1

The 2010 Corvette Grand Sport accelerates a touch faster than a normal 'Vette, handles and stops a little better than a regular Corvette, but GM's thinking 50% of sales will be the GS. Why? It's all about the parts list.

Think of the latest incarnation of the Grand Sport as the Z06 light, for about $55k you get a lot of the goodies in the Z06 but at a $20,000 discount. It's not so much of a kidney-pounding, mean and nasty brute, but it'll hang on the track all day and do it reliably, because it's built to a higher spec than the normal LS3-equipped Vettes.

So, what do we have then? Well for starters, the Grand Sport rides on the steel frame of the base Corvette but wears the bodywork and dimensions of the Z06 all around, modified with a set of gill slits in the coves as well as a slightly taller spoiler. This will be the first time the more aggressive Zed's style will be available with an open top, so that's potentially where a lot of sales will originate. It also gets unique wheels in Z06 dimensions all around which come in either chrome, silver painted, or our preference the Competition Gray, hot. Those wheels wrap around bigger brakes shared with the Z06, 14" up front and 13.4" rear, with six-piston and four-piston calipers, respectively. It really announces its presence when optioned with the telltale hash marks sprouting from the wheel wells. Unlike the original 1963 race spec Grand Sport or the 1996 limited run GS, this one has matching stripes on driver and passenger side — a little spit in the eye of tradition, but unless you're a stickler, it's pretty neat, especially when you notice the Corvette crossed-flags emblem in the corner of the leading stripe.

That's all well and good, but we suspect the part that'll get Corvette owners talking is the engine. It's an LS3, yes, but with some very tasty upgrades. All Grand Sports get a forged steel crankshaft instead of the standard cast iron piece which can withstand higher loads for longer times as wells as tri-metal main bearings that'll take a whole lot more abuse than standard ones. On the manual transmission cars, you get a dry-sump oil system standard, with a higher flow and higher pressure oil pump and a 10.5-quart capacity, that dry sump occupies the same space as the battery normally gets, so it's moved to the rear as a result. Because of the dry sump complexity, the engine is being built by hand right alongside the LS7 and LS9. That means you get a properly balanced engine and a reinforced bottom end for the price of admission on the "cheap" Grand Sport model. Add to that the differential cooler at the rear and you have exactly what you need for a solid track day. Sounds pretty good to us.

As with all Corvettes, you can hand it off to Grandma to go pick up groceries and she'll only complain about sitting so gosh-darn low. However, she'll also be able to turn around and rip off 3.95 second 0-to-60 times all day thanks to the addition of launch control, which GM cheekily assured us would never void the warranty, not only that but it works pretty well too (sadly we only had time to test it on the also-equipped ZR1, which was in no way more exciting than sex on a roller coaster, turning in 0-to-60's in a plodding 3.48 seconds). You'll note that 3.95s time puts the GS 0.35 seconds faster than the standard Vette, due to improved traction, transmission gearing and final drive. On the track, unsurprisingly, the Grand Sport reminds us of a Z06 missing about 70 HP, which is actually more manageable than the 7.0-liter brute. 436 HP with the valved exhaust is more than enough to get you rocketing to delirious speeds in no time, and the big brakes haul you down even faster. You can throw every mistake in the book at the car and it's almost too easy to drive at speed, easy to catch when you push too hard, and riotously fun when you do everything right. The upgraded brakes and anti-roll bars really make a difference when late-braking for corners and diving through chicanes as accurate turn-in and quick transitions are incredibly rewarding.

GM's thinking the Grand Sport might top 50% of total Corvette sales at least in the short term, and there's good reason to believe it might. On the one hand, it offers the boulevardier Corvette owners the enticing pitch of the Z06 body with the convertible top, upgraded suspension, unique looks and a reasonably good automatic transmission (really, in manual mode, it's pretty respectable). On the other hand, the base Grand Sport coupe with a manual gives you a lot of the Z06 goodies with a hand-built engine equipped with a dry-sump and upgraded internals for $20,000 less. And here we thought it was just a stickers and wheels package.

Earlier this year, Chevrolet announced the return of the Corvette Grand Sport model. It’s a track-oriented Corvette with wider wheels and tires, special suspension tuning and unique exterior details. The Corvette Grand Sport achieves a 0-60 time of less than four seconds, pulls 1.0 g on the skid pad and still boasts an EPA-rated highway fuel economy 26 mpg.

The version displayed at SEMA introduces a host of Grand Sport accessories that will be offered in 2010. It is a standard Grand Sport convertible equipped with the Heritage Package, but in a new Cyber Grey exterior color, with forthcoming accessories that include:

* Mesh inserts for the front fender vents
* ZR1-style front splitter and rear spoiler (painted satin black)
* ZR1-style rocker extensions and wheel spats (painted satin black)
* Body-color door handles and license plate frame
* Tinted dark chrome fender badges
* “Tech” pattern engine cover with red lettering inserts
* Grand Sport-logo hood blanket
* Grand Sport-logo floor mats and leather console cover
* Red stitched shifter knob/boot and red parking brake boot
* “Tech” pattern interior trim kit
* PAL iPod connector
* Convertible wind screen
* Racing-style pedal covers
* Interior storage pouches

The Grand Sport accessories are expected to go on sale in early 2010. They’re available through any Chevrolet or other authorized GM dealer.

Are you a track day fiend looking for a Corvette Z06 dressed up in carbon fiber tchotchkes and ceramic brakes like its bigger, badder brother, the Corvette ZR1? Enter the Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition.

Add carbon fiber and ceramic brakes to an F-150 and you've still got a big truck. Add the same upgrades to the race-focused 'Vette and you're shaving seconds and breaking hearts with the Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition. It's an upgrade that finally helps the Z06 live up to its atomic number (for all you non-math nerds, Z is another way of saying "atomic number" and "6" is the atomic number for the element Carbon. Jeez, do we have to spell everything out?).

Other outlets may point out the Corvette Z06 Carbon "slots," or creates another notch, between the Z06 and the Corvette ZR1. While sure, this is technically true, you've got to look past the in-market-car-salesman-what-slots-where-approach and appreciate how GM's actually gving their track-loving customers something utilitarian. Despite the ZR1 being the top of the Corvette food chain, when you go to a weekend autocross or local 'Vette club track day — it's the Z06 owners sweating the clock. Not the ZR1 owners.

To help them out, Chevy's giving the Z06 Carbon Brembo carbon ceramic brakes from its boisterous brother ZR1 for better stopping, enhanced cooling for bigger performance, and carbon fiber touches for lower weight. You could argue the black 20-spoke 19-inch/20-inch wheels front-and-back wrapped in Michelin PS2 tires are for better stance and traction but let's be honest, they just look good.

Speaking of looking good, this edition will be available in either Inferno Orange or something called all-new Supersonic Blue with black headlamps and mirrors, ZR1-style spoiler, and even Euro-styled racing numbers. And in case you want all of this without snagging all the attention, both the performance upgrades and aesthetic upgrades can be ordered separately for the Z06.

Paying homage to the debut of the Corvette at Le Mans with Briggs Cunningham and John Fitch 50 years ago with a carbon fiber-themed package that isn't tacky or awful. How'd they pull that off?

-- Performance Traction Management technology
-- Launch control
-- Standard side air bags
-- Cashmere interior color available
-- Torch Red exterior color available
-- Competition Gray wheels available

Product Information

The ZR1 returns for 2010 with new Performance Traction Management (PTM) technology. It is an advanced system that is part of a new Launch Control feature that optimizes traction for greater and more consistent on-track performance. The Corvette ZR1 is powered by supercharged and intercooled 6.2L engine that is hand-assembled at GM’s Performance Build Center. It is rated at 638 horsepower (476 kW), making it the most powerful production car ever offered by Chevrolet and GM.

Model: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Body styles / driveline: 2-door hatchback coupe with fixed roof; rear-wheel drive

Construction: composite and carbon-fiber body panels, hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components

Manufacturing location: Bowling Green, Ky.

6.2L SUPERCHARGED V-8 (LS9)

Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery: SFI (sequential fuel injection)
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Horsepower / kW: 638 / 476 @ 6500*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 604 / 819 @ 3800*
Recommended fuel: premium required
EPA-estimated fuel economy (city / hwy): 14 / 20

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm): 105.7 / 2685
Overall length (in / mm): 176.2 / 4476
Overall width (in / mm): 75.9 / 1929
Overall height (in / mm): 48.7 / 1236
Curb weight (lb / kg): 3333 / 1512
Weight distribution (% front / rear): 51 / 49

Interior

Seating capacity 2
Interior volume (cu ft / L): 52 / 1475 (all models)
Headroom (in / mm): 38 / 962 (all models)
Legroom (in / mm): 43 / 1092 (all models)
Shoulder room (in / mm): 55 / 1397 (all models)
Hip room (in / mm): 54 / 1371 (all models)

Seemingly confirming one of the worst kept secrets in the industry, a General Motors insider has revealed that the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette will be one of the first road-going vehicles to feature GM’s new 5.5L V8.

According to one of Motor Trend’s inside sources, the Corvette C7 will come equipped with GM’s new 5.5L small block V8. The new mill will feature a number of technical advancements — including direct-injection and a new combustion system – but will retain its old school overhead valve design to cut costs and keep the engine compact.

Power for the new engine will likely total 440 horsepower, which would be a slight improvement over the 436 horsepower currently available in the C6 Corvette. However, thanks to the 5.5L’s smaller size and its advanced features, expect a noticeable jump in overall fuel economy – improving on the C6’s already impressive 26mpg highway rating.

Chevy’s new 5.5L has already made its world debut, appearing between the fenders of the C6.R racecar. GM has also committed $890 million to develop and produce the new small block. Expect to see the C7 Corvette in 2012.