Peter Palmer: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Pricing & Product Overview

Recently, we looked at the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport and loved what we saw. The Grand Sport’s roots date back to 1963, when five of the racers were built under the direction of the car’s first Chief Engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov. The original Grand Sport race cars were made just before a corporate order halted all Motorsports involvement.

They didn’t compete officially, but they were sent to race car drivers privately.

The 2017 builds on that legacy.

“The racing DNA of the original Grand Sport race cars is in the 2017 model, adding greater dimensions of capability and driver involvement to the Corvette’s award-winning architecture, for a purer driving experience,” said Harlan Charles, Corvette Product Marketing Manager.

The 2017 Grand Sport’s lightweight architecture, downforce-producing aerodynamics package, enhanced cooling package, electronic limited-slip differential, and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires combine to offer a Chevrolet-estimated 1.05g in cornering capability – and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package, which includes Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The Grand Sport has an estimated 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.8 seconds at 118 mph, with the available Z07 performance package and eight-speed automatic transmission.

Furthermore, the Grand Sport employs a Brembo carbon ceramic package from the Corvette Z06 for an estimated 60-0 distance of less than 100 feet with the available Z07 package.

“It is a worthy successor to the spirit of the originals,” Charles said.

The Grand Sport features the Stingray’s full exterior and interior color palette, including 10 exterior colors: Admiral Blue Metallic (late 2016 addition), Watkins Glen Gray Metallic (new for 2017), Black Rose Metallic (new for 2017), Sterling Blue Metallic (new for 2017), Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat, Arctic White, Blade Silver Metallic, Black, Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat, and Torch Red.

An available Heritage package includes hash-mark fender graphics in six colors, with the hash mark detail carried onto the interior’s brushed aluminum trim. Full-length stripes are also offered in five colors. They are joined by the available Z07 package, five wheel configurations, and available carbon fiber ground effects.

“The choices are almost endless,” Charles said.

The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport coupe will start at $66,445, with a ten grand bump for convertibles. Expect to see them on the lot this summer.

*Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.