On March 26, 2026, Chevrolet introduced two Corvette Grand Sport models for the 2027 model year. Both received the new 6.7-liter naturally aspirated LS6 V8, but the similarities end there. The regular Grand Sport is a rear-wheel-drive coupe or convertible with the V8 behind the occupants. The Grand Sport X adds an electric motor to the front axle and all-wheel drive.
The difference is not limited to the power figure. It affects acceleration characteristics, weight, tire selection, and how the car uses the electric part of its powertrain. Below are Chevrolet’s confirmed figures, along with a separate independent test result.
The key figures at a glance
Parameter | Corvette Grand Sport | Corvette Grand Sport X |
|---|---|---|
Powertrain | Naturally aspirated 6.7-liter LS6 V8 | 6.7-liter LS6 V8 at the rear + front electric motor |
Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive, eAWD |
Power | 535 hp | 721 hp combined |
V8 torque | 520 lb-ft (705 N·m) | 520 lb-ft (705 N·m) |
Front electric motor | No | 186 hp and 145 lb-ft (197 N·m) |
Battery | No traction battery | Lithium-ion, 1.9 kWh |
Claimed 0–60 mph time | 2.75 s | 2.4 s |
Base curb weight | 1597 kg | 1724 kg |
The table is based on Chevrolet’s official announcement dated March 26, 2026. The 0–60 mph figures are manufacturer claims, not results from independent testing.
What the Grand Sport and Grand Sport X have in common
Both versions use the new LS6, a naturally aspirated V8 with 6.7 liters of displacement. Chevrolet lists 535 hp, 520 lb-ft of torque, a 13.0:1 compression ratio, combined direct and port fuel injection, and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine requires premium gasoline.
The C8 architecture also remains unchanged: the engine sits behind the cabin. As a result, even the Grand Sport X is not a front-engine hybrid. The V8 continues to drive the rear axle, while the electric system powers the front axle.
An important detail
The Grand Sport X does not replace the V8 with an electric motor. It retains the same LS6 but adds traction at the front axle. That means the choice between the two versions is based not only on power, but also on the type of drivetrain you want.
Grand Sport: rear-wheel drive and a choice of chassis setups
The Grand Sport is aimed at drivers who want a Corvette with a classic layout: all the power goes to the rear wheels. In its standard configuration, it has Magnetic Ride Control adaptive dampers, an electronically controlled rear differential, and all-season Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires.
The Z52 Sport Performance and Z52 Track Performance packages are available. The first adds a firmer suspension setup, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and upgraded steel brakes. The second includes carbon-ceramic brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, and aerodynamic elements. This distinction matters: the performance of a car on Cup 2R tires cannot be attributed to a Grand Sport on its standard all-season tires.
Grand Sport X: what the electric motor and all-wheel drive add
In the Grand Sport X, the V8 remains on the rear axle while a permanent-magnet electric motor drives the front wheels. Its rated output is 186 hp and 145 lb-ft. Combined system output is 721 hp, and the 1.9-kWh battery is mounted low and close to the center of the body.
Here, the electric motor is primarily intended to provide traction and acceleration, not long-distance driving without gasoline. Chevrolet says the Grand Sport X will have a Stealth mode, allowing the car to move using only the front electric axle at up to 50 mph. There is also a Shuttle mode for closed-course areas, limited to 23 mph. A full description of the modes and specifications is available on the official Grand Sport X page.
The electric front drivetrain comes with a weight penalty: according to Chevrolet, the Grand Sport X has a 127-kg higher base curb weight. In return, the X comes standard with carbon-ceramic brakes rather than offering them only in a separate package, as on the Grand Sport.
How to interpret the acceleration figures
Chevrolet claims that the Grand Sport X reaches 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and covers the quarter mile in 10.4 seconds at 131 mph. These are manufacturer figures. They are affected by the surface, temperature, tire type, battery condition, and the selected hybrid-system operating mode.
Independent Grand Sport test: what the car did on track
On August 21, 2026, Car and Driver published test results for a Corvette Grand Sport equipped with the Z52 Track Performance package and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. In this specific configuration, the coupe reached 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and completed the quarter mile in 11.0 seconds at 123 mph.
This is neither an official Chevrolet result nor a test of the Grand Sport X. It is useful for a different reason: it shows that a standard rear-wheel-drive Grand Sport with track tires and the appropriate package can come very close to the claimed figures, but comparing it with the base version would be misleading. Test conditions matter more than a single number in a headline.
Which version should you consider?
Grand Sport makes more sense for drivers who want rear-wheel drive, a naturally aspirated V8, and the ability to choose between a touring-oriented and track-focused chassis setup.
Grand Sport X is more appealing to buyers who value all-wheel drive, additional launch traction, and higher rated system output. Carbon-ceramic brakes do not have to be ordered separately.
Buyers outside the United States should check local availability, equipment levels, and homologation separately. Chevrolet’s U.S. website says the Grand Sport X will be available in fall 2026, and the vehicles shown there are pre-production models.
What is known today
The Grand Sport and Grand Sport X share one engine but offer different ways to put its power to the road. The first retains the familiar rear-wheel-drive layout of a sports car. The second adds a front electric axle and all-wheel drive. For current specifications, options, and model status, check the official Corvette lineup page: equipment levels and specifications for pre-production vehicles may change before sales begin.
