Photo: abimelecdesign/instagram
Now that the C8 Chevrolet Corvette has swept the industry off its feet thank in no small part to the sportcar's bang-for-buck (think: below $60,000 for 490 hp) factor, the time has come to look into the future of the 2020 'Vette.
Once the market will get used to the mid-engined Chevy, GM will need to start rolling out special versions of the machine to keep the banner up.
Sure, we can't be certain that the current nomenclature, which involves nameplates like the Z06, the Grand Sport and the ZR1, will remain intact. But we can only assume that the carmaker will aim to preserve the image of the Corvette by keeping those badges alive despite the motor migrating to the middle of the car.
And while we've already drooled at a Mid-Engined Corvette Z06 rendering together, the time has now come to discuss the potential C8 Corvette Grand Sport.
Of course, I've brought along a pixel play that showcases the V8 GS, optional stripes and all, which you can find in the social media post at the bottom of the page. Note that the pixel play adds the central-mounted, quadruple exhaust layout of the C7, for the fun of it - if you think about it, the more conventiomal side exhaust setup means the C8 could theoretically add a hook and go towing a boat or something...
The Grand Sport badge was born thanks to Corvette father Zora Arkus-Duntov dreaming of an uber-light C2 that would fight the Shelby Cobra in GT motorsport.
Fast-forward to the C7 Grand Sport, this mixed the naturally aspirated engined of the Stingray base model with multiple Z06 elements, such as the widebody (extra cooling included) and suspension (some GS bits are bespoke, though). There are also beefier brakes and larger wheels shod in fatter tires, along with standard Magnetic Ride Control dampers and an also-standard electronically controlled limited slip diff.
Tipping the scales at aroung 3,250 lbs, the Grand Sport was almost 100 lbs lighter than the 650 hp supercharged Z06, so the overall focus was placed on handling.
Now that the Corvette has gone down the mid-engine path, the chassis tweaking could provide even sweeter benefits, so there are plenty of reasons to look forward to the C8 Corvette Grand Sport. For one thing, now that the base Porsche 911 Carrera sits at just under $100,000, it will be interesting to see the 992 (choose your favorite derivative, but we aware of the money) duking it out with the GS on the track.
However, while the GS arrived before the Z06 for the C7 generation, things were the other way around with the C6. So it's not clear if the expected C8 Corvette Grand Sport will land that soon.
Sure, we can't be certain that the current nomenclature, which involves nameplates like the Z06, the Grand Sport and the ZR1, will remain intact. But we can only assume that the carmaker will aim to preserve the image of the Corvette by keeping those badges alive despite the motor migrating to the middle of the car.
And while we've already drooled at a Mid-Engined Corvette Z06 rendering together, the time has now come to discuss the potential C8 Corvette Grand Sport.
Of course, I've brought along a pixel play that showcases the V8 GS, optional stripes and all, which you can find in the social media post at the bottom of the page. Note that the pixel play adds the central-mounted, quadruple exhaust layout of the C7, for the fun of it - if you think about it, the more conventiomal side exhaust setup means the C8 could theoretically add a hook and go towing a boat or something...
The Grand Sport badge was born thanks to Corvette father Zora Arkus-Duntov dreaming of an uber-light C2 that would fight the Shelby Cobra in GT motorsport.
Fast-forward to the C7 Grand Sport, this mixed the naturally aspirated engined of the Stingray base model with multiple Z06 elements, such as the widebody (extra cooling included) and suspension (some GS bits are bespoke, though). There are also beefier brakes and larger wheels shod in fatter tires, along with standard Magnetic Ride Control dampers and an also-standard electronically controlled limited slip diff.
Tipping the scales at aroung 3,250 lbs, the Grand Sport was almost 100 lbs lighter than the 650 hp supercharged Z06, so the overall focus was placed on handling.
Now that the Corvette has gone down the mid-engine path, the chassis tweaking could provide even sweeter benefits, so there are plenty of reasons to look forward to the C8 Corvette Grand Sport. For one thing, now that the base Porsche 911 Carrera sits at just under $100,000, it will be interesting to see the 992 (choose your favorite derivative, but we aware of the money) duking it out with the GS on the track.
However, while the GS arrived before the Z06 for the C7 generation, things were the other way around with the C6. So it's not clear if the expected C8 Corvette Grand Sport will land that soon.
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