Automotive News, Media & Press - 2010 Corvette Grand Sport: Wider, Sportier, Grander




greysteel_M6
04-24-2009, 12:47 PM
-Jalopnik

Bottom line is, the grand sport is replacing the Z51 package and coupling the Z06's bodywork.

Absent since the C4's demise, the Corvette Grand Sport is back for 2010, this time sporting wider Z06 bodywork, larger brakes and the option of either a Coupe or Convertible. Another commemorative sticker package? Not-so-much.

We know what you're probably thinking and to be perfectly honest, we were thinking it too. This is not another commemorative package, nor is it a sticker package, instead the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport is a bonafide performance package that will help to distinguish the different Corvette models even more so.

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.

The 6.2-liter LS3 V8 remains, pumping out the same extremely capable 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft or torque (436 horsepower and 428 lb-ft with the optional two-mode sport exhaust) and is easily manipulated to do your bidding through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Sport's calipers are distinguished by their silver with red lettering and the rotors have been enlarged to Z06-spec, 14-inch with six-piston calipers in front and 13.4-inch with four-piston grabbers in the rear. Also equipped are revised shock/spring settings and heavier duty stabilizer bars. The 2010 Grand Sport rides on unique 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels wrapped in sticky 275/35ZR18 and 325/30ZR19 tires, front and rear.

For those that opt to equip their Grand Sport with the six-speed manual transmission, Chevrolet will throw in a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery. All-in-all, these improvements should net an enthusiastic 2010 Grand Sport driver with a 0.2-second improvement over the existing Z51-model.

The Grand Sport can be equipped in either Coupe or Convertible body styles, but regardless of which you choose, you'll be rewarded with a wider Z06-style front fascia with a Z06 lower lip spoiler, the only thing missing is the scoop on the nose. Z06-width front fenders replace the stock Vette's with a Grand Sport badge sitting atop dual vertical gills. The rear fenders have been replaced with Z06 units with functional brake cooling ducts. You can have your Grand Sport in any available Corvette color as well as all four different available trim levels (1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT). A heritage package is also available, adding a pair of dual stripes on the front fenders in either silver or red. The interior features special Grand Sport embroidery on the seat head rests.

The 2010 Corvette Grand Sport is publicly being announced at the 12th annual C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky this weekend. Pricing is yet to be announced, but expect it to be somewhere around current Z51-package pricing. We'll take ours in Coupe-spec painted in Le Mans Blue (Okay fine, Jet Stream Blue) with the red stripes please.


http://jalopnik.com/5225711/2010-corvette-grand-sport-wider-sportier-grander?skyline=true&s=i


NW-99SS
04-24-2009, 01:16 PM
Why now?

This is truly sad to me - the 1963 Grand Sport Coupes were the wildest Corvette's made -> PERIOD.

Why take that name and disgrace it with a base engine package and Z51 suspension. I would never buy one. Now, if GM had named the ZR1 a Grand Sport, I wouldn't be dissappointed.

Sad, just sad to use this name as a lame marketing tool :(

Z Fury
04-24-2009, 01:47 PM
Honestly, I like the sounds of it. If GM does ditch the Z28 Camaro, as is rumored, I'll definitely consider this thing.


SSNISTR
04-24-2009, 02:17 PM
That thing is awesome.

WECIV
04-24-2009, 02:51 PM
Scratch the Camaro...I think I like this better. Want to see some targa pics. The lack of a targa or ttops kills my love of the Camaro.

W

KameleonTransAm
04-24-2009, 04:42 PM
Scratch the Camaro...I think I like this better. Want to see some targa pics. The lack of a targa or ttops kills my love of the Camaro.

W

I agree! Plain roofs are for normal cars...not f-bodies.

greysteel_M6
04-25-2009, 04:02 AM
I don't know how can you say it's disappointing, besides the fact it's got a significantly better overall chassis being based off the C6 and has 100 hp over the original GS, bigger brakes, and better suspension. It also gets the bad ass skin of a Z06. I know they haven't announced pricing, but it sounds like a really kick ass alternative to the Z51 package. I'm not in the position to get a Z06 right now, but when I'm done with grad school I would hope to. I've always wanted a modded vette sporting the wide body kit, but it never made sense to mess with an engine like the LS7. Unlike Ford's philosophy of slapping high hp powertrains into shitty sedans, GM has actually invested in performance engineering. The GS sounds like a brilliant marketing tool and a good alternative for the enthusiast. Wish they had the ghost hashes standard on it though.

Johnnystock
04-25-2009, 06:41 PM
Good idea about this. First, Z51 name sucks. Second, it gets a different body and you know its not the base corvette, so you paid for something that you and others can see.

Johnnystock
04-25-2009, 06:43 PM
and its faster..

Camaro Z
04-25-2009, 08:25 PM
I'll take one targa top coupe in white please!! :D

Tainted
04-26-2009, 08:39 PM
abscent since the C4's demise???

I thought the C5 had a grand sport model as well???

SSNISTR
04-26-2009, 09:27 PM
abscent since the C4's demise???

I thought the C5 had a grand sport model as well???

Nope, just the '96 C4.

180ls1
04-27-2009, 12:56 AM
Why now?

This is truly sad to me - the 1963 Grand Sport Coupes were the wildest Corvette's made -> PERIOD.

Why take that name and disgrace it with a base engine package and Z51 suspension. I would never buy one. Now, if GM had named the ZR1 a Grand Sport, I wouldn't be dissappointed.

Sad, just sad to use this name as a lame marketing tool :(

it works well for ford with their mustang to get sales so it looks like gm might be playing the same card here.

phirepower
04-27-2009, 10:19 AM
This softens the blow of Pontiacs demise