Chevrolet Revives Corvette Grand Sport for 2027 With New 6.7L LS6 V-8 Engine

Chevrolet is reviving one of Corvette’s most storied racing names with the 2027 Corvette Grand Sport and creating a new legacy with the Grand Sport X. Both vehicles blend heritage-inspired design with a next-generation V-8 engine that produces more torque than any other naturally aspirated V-8 before it, company officials stated in a press release.

Born in the early 1960s as a limited run of five C2 race cars that competed at tracks such as Sebring International Raceway, Grand Sport has long stood for lightweight, track-focused Corvettes. Road-going Grand Sport models have added to the formula by pulling features from the fastest cars in each Corvette generation, while maintaining heritage colors, distinct striping, and signature fender hash-marks that once served as ways to tell the original race cars apart.

Today’s Grand Sport lineup reflects the best of what the eighth-generation Corvette has to offer, including a wide, planted mid-engine stance, an interior that elevates driver cockpit design, and the benefits of either a removable-roof coupe or hardtop convertible, noted the release. The lineup also includes standard Magnetic Ride Control, available Performance Traction Management and much more.

“Grand Sport has always been the Corvette for drivers who want the spirit of a race car in a package they can enjoy every day,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet. “With the new Grand Sport and Grand Sport X, we’ve taken that formula into the mid-engine era, pairing a heritage-rich design with the most advanced Corvette technologies we’ve ever offered. The Grand Sport model has historically acted as a high-volume player in the Corvette lineup. We expect the Stingray and Grand Sport lineup combined to account for the vast majority of Corvette sales.”

Next Generation 6.7L LS6 V-8

At the core of every 2027 Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X is the next-generation LS6 6.7L V-8, which now becomes Corvette’s primary engine, including powering the 2027 Stingray. Delivering 535 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque, this naturally aspirated engine sees increases in power and torque across the rev band compared to its predecessor. An 8-speed dual-clutch transmission routes all this power to the wheels.

A larger 6.7L (409-ci) displacement and 13.0:1 compression ratio sharpen response, while a 95mm throttle body and tunnel ram intake with high-velocity ports move more air to unlock additional power. A new lubrication system, forged pistons and rods, and revised exhaust manifolds ensure durability in extended high-load, high-temperature environments.

“There is no replacement for displacement. Our next-generation LS6 engine pushes 409 cubic inches of jackhammer fury through the tailpipes,” said Mike Kociba, assistant chief engineer, Next Generation V-8. “Combining large displacement, modern technology and proven Small Block V-8 heritage will deliver a bold new chapter in performance.”

GM’s Flint Engine Operations in Flint, Michigan, will assemble the LS6 with U.S. and globally sourced parts, returning production to the city where the first Corvette V-8s were built in 1955. LS6 represents the start of the sixth generation of Small Block V-8s, extending a legacy more than 70 years in the making.

2027 Corvette Grand Sport Specs

The 2027 Corvette Grand Sport is engineered to blend classic naturally aspirated V-8 character with rear-wheel-drive dynamics for a focused sports car experience. Its LS6 6.7L V-8 delivers 535 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque with a deep exhaust note, amplified by an available quad center-exit exhaust—the first time a center exhaust has been offered on a pushrod V-8 in the eighth generation of Corvette.

Magnetic Ride Control is standard, paired with a Touring Suspension and Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 tires. A new braking package is designed for low brake dust and a corrosion-resistant appearance.

The available Z52 Sport Performance Package is tuned around a stiffer suspension and features Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires and high-performance J56 iron brakes borrowed from the Corvette Z06 for confident stopping power on road and track. The Z52 Track Performance Package goes further, mating carbon-ceramic J57 brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires with track-focused chassis tuning. Paired with a carbon-fiber splitter, dive planes, rockers and wing, plus underbody strakes, this is the most track-capable Grand Sport to date, Chevrolet officials said.

2027 Corvette Grand Sport X Specs

The Corvette Grand Sport X expands the Grand Sport formula with the addition of all-wheel drive, creating 721 hp. It pairs the LS6 V-8 at the rear axle with a front-axle electric motor and compact battery pack from the record-setting Corvette ZR1X.

Just as with ZR1 and ZR1X, the naming of Grand Sport and Grand Sport X will provide consistency and clarity in Corvette’s badging, with X representing eAWD.

Grand Sport X’s high-voltage battery is low and centered in the car to preserve the agility of the mid-engine platform. Grand Sport X has near-instant access to 145 lb-ft of torque on the front axle with the addition of the front electric motor. With an intelligent control system, the car combines the agility typical of a rear-wheel drive car with the corner-exiting traction only all-wheel drive can provide.

Similar to ZR1X, Grand Sport X lets the driver choose how to use available power on track:

• Endurance – Engaging the Charge+ button adjusts the battery’s energy storage strategy for extended lapping and consistent eAWD output for a full tank of fuel
• Qualifying – Optimum power strategy for the ultimate lap time
• Push-to-Pass – Max available power on-demand

Magnetic Ride Control, carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 tires are standard. The available Performance Package adds Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, benefiting track performance and backroad precision.

Grand Sport X offers electric-only Stealth mode through 50 mph and Shuttle mode for non-street use up to 23 mph, allowing the car to move quietly on its front electric axle when needed, without engaging the V-8.

2027 Corvette Stingray Updates

In 2027, the Corvette Stingray will upgrade to LS6, the most powerful standard engine ever offered on Corvette. Stingray buyers can also select an available center-exhaust for the first time in the mid-engine era.

Engineers said they took this opportunity to integrate knowledge learned from more powerful variants back into Stingray. Updated calibrations for the available Magnetic Ride Control suspension provide better body control, optimizing performance. The track-capable Z51 Performance Package is enhanced with a shorter 5.56:1 final drive ratio for more immediacy on throttle, adjusted aerodynamics for performance, and the car sits on a newly developed Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tire.

GM’s Bowling Green Assembly will build the Stingray and Grand Sport lineup with U.S. and globally sourced parts beginning this summer.