C6 GRAND SPORT INFORMATION
After a long hiatus, Chevrolet finally announced the reintroduction of the Corvette Grand Sport on April 24th, 2009, as part of the Corvette Birthday Bash event at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. The following information is specific to the 2010 iteration, but most applies to the follow-on C6 Grand Sports all the way through the model's end in 2013.
The 2010 Grand Sport combined the C6 Corvette’s LS3-based powertrain with unique, Z06 wide-body styling and a racing-bred suspension for a distinctive model that delivered a great balance of road and race track performance. It was offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The LS3 6.2L engine was rated at 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque with the standard exhaust system. An optional dual-mode exhaust system elevated the power ratings to 436 horses and 428 lb-ft.
The Grand Sport replaced the Corvette’s previous Z51 package and brings a greater degree of handling performance, with wider wheels and tires; revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications; and specific gearing. This equipment enabled cornering capability of 1.0 g, as well as a 0.2-second improvement in 0-60 acceleration vs. standard LS3-powered models.
C6 Grand Sport coupe models equipped with the manual transmission are uniquely outfitted for race track competition, too, with a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery.
Special features for the Grand Sport included:
- Wider front and rear fenders – including specific front fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges
- Z06-style front splitter and tall rear spoiler
- Functional brake ducts and extra cooling
- Unique 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels; painted finish standard and chrome finish optional
- Large 275/35ZR18 tires in front and 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
- Z06-size brakes, including 14-inch (355 mm) front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340 mm) rear rotors with four-piston calipers
- Specific manual transmission gear ratios
- Specific rear axle ratio on automatic-equipped models
With its special equipment, the Grand Sport offers a unique blend of performance and amenities. Its suspension package approaches that of the Z06, but includes a removable roof on coupes (C6 Z06 had a fixed roof) and, of course, the availability of a convertible body style. Also, the paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission is offered, while a manual transmission was the only choice with the C6 Z06.
Hundreds of C6 Grand Sport photos may be found in the publicly accessible GSR Photo Gallery.
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2010 GRAND SPORT PRODUCTION NUMBERS
A significant reduction in production levels from previous model years was realized in 2010:
- 2010 total Corvettes produced: -- 12,194
- 2009 total Corvettes produced: -- 16,956
- 2008 total Corvettes produced: -- 35,310
The new Grand Sport model was a hit with the public, representing 50% of total Corvette production in 2010:
- Corvette Coupe: -- 3,054 units
- Corvette Convertibles: -- 1,003 units
- Grand Sport Coupe: -- 3,707 units
- Grand Sport Convertibles: -- 2,335 units
- Z06: -- 518 units
- ZR1: -- 1,577 units
All of Corvette’s exterior colors were offered on the 2010 Grand Sport, and an available Heritage package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The Grand Sport can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages, too. The most popular colors were Black (24%) as well as the two reds: Torch Red (18.4%) and Crystal Red (14.1%).
2010 Grand Sport Coupe pricing started at $55,720 including DFC. The 2010 Grand Sport Convertible started at $59,530 including DFC. Not too bad a deal for a wide bodied car with the suspension goodies and the dry sump system on the manual tranny coupe.
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2011 GRAND SPORT PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Corvette production increased slightly in 2011 with Grand Sports representing 89% of the total:
- 2011 total Corvettes produced: -- 13,596
- Corvette Coupe: -- 3,112 units
- Corvette Convertibles: -- 780 units
- Grand Sport Coupe: -- 5,212 units
- Grand Sport Convertibles: -- 2,782 units
- Z06: -- 904 units
- ZR1: -- 806 units
Magnetic Ride Control was made optional for Grand Sport Corvettes. Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue were new colors offered in 2011. The most popular colors were Black (21%) and Torch Red (17%).
2011 Grand Sport Coupe pricing started at $55,740 and Grand Sport Convertibles started at $59,950.
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2012 GRAND SPORT PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Corvette production decreased slightly in 2012 with Grand Sports representing 63% of the total:
- 2012 total Corvettes produced: -- 11,647
- Corvette Coupe: -- 2,820 units
- Corvette Convertibles: -- 621 units
- Grand Sport Coupe: -- 5,056 units
- Grand Sport Convertibles: -- 2,268 units
- Z06: -- 478 units
- ZR1: -- 404 units
A special Centennial Edition was optional on all models. Carlisle Blue and Carbon Flash were the new colors offered in 2012, the latter replacing traditional Black and only available on the Centennial Edition. The most popular colors were Carbon Flash (19%) and Torch Red (20%).
2012 Grand Sport Coupe pricing started at $56,900 and Grand Sport Convertibles started at $60,500.
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2013 GRAND SPORT PRODUCTION NUMBERS
The final year of C6 Grand Sport production maintained the model's popularity representing 49% of the total:
- 2013 total Corvettes produced: -- 13,466
- Corvette Coupe: -- 2,597 units
- Corvette Convertibles: -- 720 units
- Grand Sport Coupe: -- 4,908 units
- Grand Sport Convertibles: -- 1,736 units
- 427 Convertibles: -- 2,552 units
- Z06: -- 471 units
- ZR1: -- 482 units
A special Centennial Edition was optional on all models. Night Race Blue was the new color offered in 2013 along with the return of Black. The most popular colors were Artic White (22%) and Black (21%).
2013 Grand Sport Coupe pricing started at $56,975 and Grand Sport Convertibles started at $60,575.
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