Chevy Corvette Grand Sport X Could Bring 721 HP As Production Nears
The Last C8 Series
Corvette is heading back into the shop and preparing for one of the last chapters in the C8's history. The 2027 Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X are coming, bringing several tweaks to the mid-engined platform and updated powertrains. The Grand Sport and Grand Sport X variants will sit above the Stingray and replace the E-Ray in the lineup.
We're going to see the new Grand Sport series go into production at the brand's Bowling Green factory by June 8, 2026. As far as accuracy goes, GM Authority is on the ball, but General Motors will be General Motors, so nothing's absolutely set in stone according to the source.
This Grand Sport will also pay homage to the models that predate it, and Corvette will revive the Iconic Admiral Blue Metallic, plus a new body color, Pitch Gray Metallic, plus a special launch edition with either Santorini Blue or Adrenaline Red interior colors.
A New Engine
Corvette has a new engine. At 6.7 liters of displacement (409 cu in), the new LS6 V8 engine in its base configuration delivers an additional 45 horsepower and 55 pound-feet of torque over the 6.2 LT2 V8. Both the Grand Sport and Grand Sport X will get this updated engine, which makes 535 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque in the Grand Sport trim. The engine can also be paired with an electric motor, and together they produce 721 horsepower and 665 pound-feet of torque in the Grand Sport X trim.
The new motor will be produced in GM's Flint Engine Operations plant. It will be paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, available on the Grand Sport line. As per the source, however, it looks like a manual transmission will not be available for the C8, unfortunately.
Grand Sport And Grand Sport X
The 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X will have two different powertrains. The base Grand Sport will get the LS6 engine with 535 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Sport X will get the same LS6 engine paired with the front-mounted electric motor, and together they produce 721 horsepower and 665 pound-feet of torque.
Both the X and non-X will come with Magnetic Ride Control, also standard are Micheline Pilot Sport 4 tires for both models, unless customers opt for either the Z52 Sport or Track Packages, which bring better rubber (Pilot Sport 4S for the Sport pack and Pilot Sport Cup 2R for the track pack), better brakes, a stiffer chassis, carbon fiber aero bits, and an optional center-exit-quad-tipped exhaust system.
The all-wheel-drive 'Vette Grand Sport X takes from the eAWD technology that was pioneered in the groundbreaking Corvette C8 ZR1X. Not only does it improve grip, but it can also be configured for efficiency and endurance. Corvette will stuff the Grand Sport X with the same modes found in the ZR1X, which include Endurance, Qualifying, and Push-to-Pass. Having that electric motor also brings practicality into the conversation, with the car being able to run on the electric motor only in stealth mode and shuttle mode.
Launch and Availability
Right off the bat, Corvette is also unveiling a Launch Edition of the C8 Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X. The special edition will feature an interior Santorini Blue-Dipped color combination, with Santorini blue paired with red stitching and accents. Chevrolet has also added Grand Sport logos all over, which are stitched into the floor mats and embossed on the headrests. Red accents can also be found running down the center of the gauge cluster hood, wrapped in leather, and matching the red accent on the steering wheel. On top of that, the Launch Edition also gets a Waterfall speaker plaque and a Grand Sport steering wheel badge.
As for body styles, the Grand Sport will follow the C8's lineup and be offered with either a coupe or a hard-top convertible. Pricing will be announced when the model officially debuts. Customers will be able to color their Grand Sport any way they want with hundreds of combinations to choose from. On top of that, there are two wheel options available: a 10-spoke aluminum set finished in Pearl Nickel, Gloss Black, or Carbon Flash with bright-polished surfaces, and High Polished. There's also a five-spoke carbon wheel design, made to be lightweight, and finished in Carbon Flash, or with a red stripe.
Price-wise, we're looking at an MSRP of $88,495 for the Grand Sport and $112,195 for the Grand Sport X, as covered in a previous story. With that, the Grand Sport will replace the E-Ray in the middle of the lineup, above the Stingray, and slot below the Z06. More details to follow as we inch closer to the launch, which is coming very soon.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 7:45 AM.