Corvette Grand Sport returns for 2010!

[Paulie]

Autoblog's coverage

Forget the Camaro, I just found a new dream car.

 

[Mad94d]

Forget the Camaro, I just found a new dream car.

Well the Camaro isn't coming to Australia according to Motor Mag. This car looks nice though, I like it.

 

[Jay]

Hmm so the Z51 will be scraped and replaced with the GS which will be the base C6, when is the C7 due? If it is quite a while then this GS is going to be hardly the collectors car the C4 GS is.

Sounds like GM really wants encourage Corvette sales, whatever the case as a base C6 the GS is a beast! Admiral Blue become a option? (please say yes)

I hope PD models it in time for GT5, (I know it could be in DLC but it's not the same)

 

[Paulie]

They're making a C7? Given GM's current situation I'd be surprised if anyone's even mentioned C7 at GM for a year at risk of losing their job. But either way, the base Corvette is gaining an option pack that will be faster than the previous option pack, look better, and have a legendary name. I too am waiting for some pics of a blue one VIPERGTSR01.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Oh bugger, I was expecting a blue C6 with black rims and a white stripe on it

[/thread]

 

[McLaren]

This would be neat if there weren't a bunch of other Corvette options already available....

 

[Paulie]

This would be neat if there weren't a bunch of other Corvette options already available....

Such as? This is the performance pack option for an LS3 Vette, all other options would just be luxury stuff no? Isn't this the only one with extra power from the LS3 too?


Still can't wait to see what colours there are.

 

[Boffin]

Autoblog's coverage

Forget the Camaro, I just found a new dream car.

Camaro?!? You'd have a Camaro over a 'Vette?!?! and on top of that, you'd have a GS over a Z06 or ZR1?!?

I'm shocked

 

[Paulie]

Camaro?!? You'd have a Camaro over a 'Vette?!?! and on top of that, you'd have a GS over a Z06 or ZR1?!?

I'm shocked

Not everything's about speed. The Z06 and ZR1 are for rich people, even though I still can't afford a Camaro or Grand Sport even if they were in Australia.......

 

[buickgnx88]

Oh bugger, I was expecting a blue C6 with black rims and a white stripe on it

Well you can get it in blue...in addition to all the other standard 'Vette colors.

 

[Leonidae]

just another trim level of Corvette. oh well..

 

[YSSMAN]

This would be neat if there weren't a bunch of other Corvette options already available....

I'm somewhat inclined to agree, as we also have the GT1 model this year as well:

Thing is, the GT1 edition only gets 600 units (both in Z51 or Z06 trim), so its a bit more special by days end.

...The thing is with the Grand Sport is that it will replace the Z51 model altogether, which makes a heck of a lot of sense. If it is going to be a more competent sport model with a much lower cost, I see no reason why not to do it. That, and it doesn't look too bad:

I just wish they would have done pictures with the coupe.

 

[Terronium-12]

This is particularly sweet being I was one of the people who sent mail to Chevrolet/GM when Motor Trend had that "Which Corvette should come back?" thing going (before the ZR-1 was announced)

I doubt it had anything to do with me, or the others...but it's a compliment nonetheless. 👍

 

[Prosthetic]

Meh... a Grand Sport should only ever be blue with the two red stripes and the one white down the middle... NEVER anything other combo.

 

[Terronium-12]

Meh... a Grand Sport should only ever be blue with the two red stripes and the one white down the middle... NEVER anything other combo.

Despite what I said, I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[Jim Prower]

Meh... a Grand Sport should only ever be blue with the two red stripes and the one white down the middle... NEVER anything other combo.

'cept there were other paint schemes when they actually raced in the '60s. Think one was inverted, white with blue stripe.

 

[McLaren]

Such as? This is the performance pack option for an LS3 Vette, all other options would just be luxury stuff no? Isn't this the only one with extra power from the LS3 too?


Still can't wait to see what colours there are.

Such as the following:
Corvette Championship Edition (as Brad pointed out).

Corvette 427 Limited Edition

Corvette Competition Sport Edition

Corvette Ron Fellows Edition

Then there's Pace Car Editions & a few more. Point being, there are already a few too many Special/Limited Edition Corvette Packages. What makes this GS so special anymore?

 

[Omnis]

GM's business model: Give the people 20 varieties of sprinkles for their vanilla ice cream.

 

[mPWRD]

Meh... a Grand Sport should only ever be blue with the two red stripes and the one white down the middle... NEVER anything other combo.

You could probably get it in that combo... which would look sweet.

 

[MinoltaMan89]

Give me a year-old Z51 for <$40K and some paint and newspaper, and I can do the same thing.

 

[Joey D]

GM's business model: Give the people 20 varieties of sprinkles for their vanilla ice cream.

Come on it works so well....err wait a second, that's not right is it. No, no, no their business plan has failed, epically I might add too.

The Grand Sport would be cool if GM had two nickels to rub together.

 

[YSSMAN]

Such as the following:
Corvette Championship Edition (as Brad pointed out).

Only 600 to be produced for the 2010 model year based on the Z51 or the Z06.

Corvette 427 Limited Edition

Only 427 built for the 2008 model year, based on the Z06. As far as I know, none of the specialty parts have carried over.

Corvette Competition Sport Edition

I believe this is their literal "competition pack" option for the Z51 and Z06 models, but I do not know if it carries over to the 2010 model year. Think of the old Lancer RS as a similar model.

Corvette Ron Fellows Edition

Only 399 built (300 in North America) on the Z06 model for the 2008 model year alone.

Then there's Pace Car Editions & a few more. Point being, there are already a few too many Special/Limited Edition Corvette Packages. What makes this GS so special anymore?

Generally speaking, the pace car editions are a yearly thing. They have been since, like, forever (although with the Camaro out, that'll be taking center stage at the Indy this year, I believe). Still, not many of those are produced either... But certainly more than the models mentioned above.

I think what you didn't draw the line at is the production numbers. While there is an increased frequency of "special editions" (including a few for the European and Asian markets), they remain "special" because there aren't eleventy-billion of them being produced year, after year, after year (I'm looking at you Ford, but not for the Bullitt. Still awesome). The thing you also missed is that the Gran Sport model will be replacing the Z51 option thereafter, not making it a limited edition model at all. A smart move on behalf of Team Corvette, I suppose, but still a crowded field of models made available (thus far) for 2010.

 

[McLaren]

I think what you didn't draw the line at is the production numbers. While there is an increased frequency of "special editions" (including a few for the European and Asian markets), they remain "special" because there aren't eleventy-billion of them being produced year, after year, after year (I'm looking at you Ford, but not for the Bullitt. Still awesome). The thing you also missed is that the Gran Sport model will be replacing the Z51 option thereafter, not making it a limited edition model at all. A smart move on behalf of Team Corvette, I suppose, but still a crowded field of models made available (thus far) for 2010.

Regardless if these are limited in production numbers, Chevrolet is no better than Lamborghini or Lotus when it comes to offering 1 model in multiple trims claiming them to be limited editions. That's my point.

A new Grand Sport would be cool if there weren't already a bunch of other Corvette options offered in the past just like a Nera Gallardo would be cool if it didn't already have multiple Gallardo options.

 

[JCE]

Sure lets waste more money on the Corvette while we let a legitimate division like Pontiac get the axe. Yea GM real smart. This would be like Ford coming out with another Mustang then promptly axe Lincoln. It just doesn't make sense. They want to kill off their performance division but waste money on bringing another Corvette out? This just keeps getting better and better all the time.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

A new Grand Sport would be cool if there weren't already a bunch of other Corvette options offered in the past just like a Nera Gallardo would be cool if it didn't already have multiple Gallardo options.

Yeah but the Grand Sport just seems like a "track version" of the regular Corvette, so it's not really special either way.

 

[YSSMAN]

A new Grand Sport would be cool if there weren't already a bunch of other Corvette options offered in the past just like a Nera Gallardo would be cool if it didn't already have multiple Gallardo options.

Again, I think you're missing what GM is actually doing with the car. Like how the LP560-4 is a "new model" of the Gallardo, the Gran Sport will become a "new model" for the Corvette line that will replace the Z51 altogether. Its not about being a special edition whatsoever.

Chevrolet's plan is to rid the lineup of the Z51 package Vettes, instead replacing it with a uniquely designed new Grand Sport model. Everything that you know and love about the Z51 will be here, but now, with the help of new Z06-derived bodywork you won't be confused with those driving lesser base-model Vettes.

Rather than treating this revival as a special model with a limited run, Chevy has decided to ditch the Z51 package entirely and offer the Grand Sport that pushes the standard Vette's performance even closer to that of the Z06.

The Grand Sport replaces the Corvette's previous Z51 package and brings a greater degree of handling performance, 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 0-60 acceleration vs. standard LS3-powered models.

Grand Sport coupe models equipped with the manual transmission are uniquely outfitted for racetrack competition, too, with a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery.

...I totally agree that the "special editions" can get waaaay out of hand these days when trying to drive sales (take a lesson from the Comic Book industry, kids), but this is a legitimate model replacement, a different thing altogether.

The sad thing for me is that the Z51 name otherwise ends, as it had been the "secret" option for performance for quite a long time. Personally, its almost the same thing as the Camaro not having a Z/28 option...

Heeey, wada minute!

 

[McLaren]

Again, I think you're missing what GM is actually doing with the car. Like how the LP560-4 is a "new model" of the Gallardo, the Gran Sport will become a "new model" for the Corvette line that will replace the Z51 altogether. Its not about being a special edition whatsoever.

Be that the case, I find it a bit of a disgrace to the name. A Grand Sport was a pretty unique model back in the day. But, I guess Chevy seems content on trying to push Corvettes out the door by reviving old names like the 427, ZR-1, & GS now.

 

[Jay]

Atleast the ZR1 was done with some heart, not just some restickered version with minor revised bits. This GS is a let down to the name especially if you look back at the 60's GS.

 

[Jim Prower]

Looking back at that car, this current GS SHOULD be a Z06 with aero package...or, in other words, a Callaway Corvette Z06-R GT3

 

[mPWRD]

Looking back at that car, this current GS SHOULD be a Z06 with aero package...or, in other words, a Callaway Corvette Z06-R GT3

Or a ZR1 with the cool paint job...