daleong

this also could explain why 2017 Z06 production isnt starting until September...

RickConti@Coughlin

if so, I would be shocked they would take the stage away from Z06, which has been their focus and if so, its to stretch the C7 gen out a couple years....JMHO

jimmyb

Corvette's version of the GT3??????

daleong

maybe GM is adopting porsche's strategy to have a whole bunch of sportscar models..

SK360

Hopefully the grand sport turns out to be what the Z06 should have been.

RC000E

^EXACTLY....

Here is another I found...

jimmyb

All I can say is: Don't listen to me! I was adamant every time this subject came up, that they would NEVER do a GS, based on how it killed the Z06 sales in the 6th generation.

That said, Porsche is brilliant in how many versions of the 911 they can produce (and sell).

Jimmy

jimmyb

This is going to be a fun day! If that's it, looks like Cyber Gray (or something similar...Spiral Gray?) is making a comeback. Also looks like Cup2 tires on it as well.
The upside is that Geneva is 6 hours ahead of the East coast, so we'll know when we wake up tomorrow!

Jimmy

Rguy271

It makes perfect sense to have a mid level model. The body, brakes etc of the Z06, but normal Z51 engine for people who dont need 650hp.

RC000E

Z06 sales at the time of last Grand Sport were in the midst of the market crash and all. GS only killed Z06 sales because the buyer pool was made up of older guys with money in the bank. Today is a different time. Z06 makes up 1/3 of production. There is room for this car IF it INCREASES the "bandwidth" of the Corvette brand....meaning, do something that Z51 AND Z06 doesn't. If it means lighter than Z06, more power than Z51...man...I might have my new Corvette...

SK360

Or people who want to actually use a track focused model on the track without reduced engine power after a few laps.

Hopefully there's a bump in power for the GS or else it's not really going to have an advantage over the Z51 except on tight short tracks.

RickConti@Coughlin

I agree something is up obviously

RC000E

Just to add fuel to the fire, and NOT that I believe this will happen (but a guy can dream)....

What if the Grand Sport debuted a DCT tranny

That'd really make Z06 buyers have a hell of a choice. That said, I don't see that coming but...boy it'd really shake up the place...

jimmyb

Hey Rick,
Maybe they have a bunch of LS7's laying around that need a home....

Jimmy

4XLR8N

Scooter70

Wider track and more rubber should be beneficial on high speed tracks as well, though I agree that nobody would complain if it got a power bump. LT2 and LT3 are still available codes between LT1 and LT4.

RickConti@Coughlin

Just not sure WHY a GS......Stingray was suppose to be a short run, looks like it will be 19 or 20 before we see a C8.....I think 18 is the Zora would be car. Confusing times in the market for sure....lets hope it keeps things moving forward!

four0nefive

Why does this seem like a big middle finger towards Z06 buyers? Think about it, they all spent (or most of them) around $90k-$100k for a track capable car that ended up having a few issues (still an awesome car btw), and then didn't really fix them. Now they're releasing a grand sport which looks to have everything the Z06 gets, but with a naturally aspirated engine (or at least we are guessing).

I'm still excited, but I didn't think Chevy would do something like that.

Rguy271

The cars are already bought and sold, why does Chevy care about existing owners...

LT1 Z51

C7 was never supposed to be a short run. Corvette needs to keep new models coming out ever 1-2 years to keep sales rolling and generating press. MY2014 was the C7, MY2015 was the Z06, MY2016 was the C7.R Package (which is a limited edition model).

MY2017 adds a GS isn't a surprise at all. The MY2018 will get a new engine and hopefully a limited edition anniversary package, the MY2019 will see the Zora Mid-engine, and MY2021 will be the debut of the C8. Who knows, they might do something in 2020 to send the C7 out with a bang (7 model years is pretty standard)