Rumormill: Corvette Grand Sport returning to Chevrolet for 2010?
1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
It may be hard to imagine now, but there was a time when General Motors considered spinning Chevrolet's Corvette line off into its own separate division. The flagship supercar always had a distinct identity from the rest of Bowtie's model line – heck, overseas, 'Vettes aren't even sold at Chevy dealerships, they're sold with Cadillac. But while The General is trying to trim divisions down to a manageable level, now would seem like a less-than-ideal time to separate the Corvette range from Chevrolet, despite reports that yet another 'Vette derivative may on the way.
In addition to the base Corvette coupe, the convertible, track-focused Z06 and supercar-beating ZR1 (along with various limited-edition models), reports now suggest that a new Grand Sport model is on its way. Little is known in the way of details, but speculation suggests that it'd be a standard 'Vette with a wider body like the Z06 or ZR1 and some extra package additions. The trim level are reportedly set to be available in both coupe and convertible body-styles, but perhaps the real question is whether the asymettrical fender hash marks will return...
[Source: Corvette Action Center]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mazda FTW! 10:35AM (4/01/2009)
Nay to Grand Sport
Ye to Z/28 Camaro
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C.W. 11:46AM (4/01/2009)
well... either way, their new CEO (Barack Obama) will need to sign off on these programs now so we'll see what actually ends up happening.
John R 10:37AM (4/01/2009)
This rumor amongst other news that:
1) GM is circling around C11. Again. Maybe finally.
2) The Corvette plant in KY will lower its production levels
Red. Herring. Unless this is a plan to bring sky/solstice in under the chevy brand - because those two are toast.
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Jsams4131 10:47AM (4/01/2009)
funny that in the UK the vettes are sold at Cadillac dealerships But i think i can see the reasoning when a foreign sports car is way out of the price range of anything a UK Chevy dealership would normally offer?
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Joe K. 10:42AM (4/01/2009)
How is this a rumor if they already have model codes?
Coupe: 1YG07
Convt: 1YG67
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BigMcLargeHuge 10:46AM (4/01/2009)
No need to have 2 body structures. They should just consolidate the platforms.
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Avinash machado 10:52AM (4/01/2009)
In the UK Chevy's are basically rebadged Daewoos. Obviously GM would not like to associate an expensive sports car with Daewoos.
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Jsams4131 11:01AM (4/01/2009)
ahh i see. so its really apples and oranges.
Ian 10:54AM (4/01/2009)
Come on Corvette go against tradion in these hard economic times. Produce a less expensive 310HP V6 Corvette. Gotta keep the numbers up for survival these days.
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mapoftazifosho 10:59AM (4/01/2009)
Hi, please meet the 2010 V6 Camaro...
JZeke 11:23AM (4/01/2009)
Not a bad idea.
A Camaro is still a big 2+2, and weighs over 600lbs more than the Vette. I bet alot of 350Z intenders could be enticed by a 'Vette with a V6 and a redesigned interior.
Joe K. 11:45AM (4/01/2009)
NO. A Corvette is a V8 powered RWD coupe/convertible that has Fuel injection and IRS. No V6's, ever!
If anything make an extended Kappa platform V6 Import-fighter, but the Corvette is sacred and must not be watered down.
JZeke 11:51AM (4/01/2009)
The Corvette started life with a 6, so its in its history. It went to DOHC for the 80s-90s ZR1. If a product gets saddled with attributes that have a finite life, then that product can lose relevance.
Adding a V6 doesn't water it down any more than the automatics that 70% are sold with. As long as its treated properly, not as a cut-price cruiser but as a lighter and more nimble sportster than I see nothing wrong witht it.
Besides, the Kappa needs so much work to make it half the sports car the Corvette is that it would seem fiscally prudent to not put good money after bad.
Mike 12:15PM (4/01/2009)
Joe K., I could be wrong, but weren't the first Corvettes triple carbureted 6 cylinders with live rear axle? Just sayin'
Javanese 11:30AM (4/01/2009)
C6 is one of the best looking sports car on sale today. We already have the z06 and new ZR, bring on the Grand Sport.
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MONTE 11:41AM (4/01/2009)
1996 GSs are definitely one of my favorite Vettes of all time. If I had the money it would already be done because I would have a C6 in GS paint scheme.
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HotRodzNKustoms 11:41AM (4/01/2009)
I would love a c6 vette convertible with all the z06 goodies but I imagine since it's being offered in both bodies it is something more like a fancy z51 package.
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Chris 12:30PM (4/01/2009)
This sounds amazing! Love the looks of the Z06, but not the price and don't need that much power.
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katshot 12:44PM (4/01/2009)
Corvette has finally in recent years elevated itself to a place in the industry where it's no longer just a cost-effective alternative to a true supercar. It IS a supercar regardless of the price.
Offering cheapened versions should not ever happen, and I doubt GM would ever be stupid enough to do it.
As for the "Grand Sport", that's one ugly-ass car IMO.
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Genius 12:57PM (4/01/2009)
As some above noted, there are already model codes for the Corvette Grand Sport. It's funny you post this today - I work at a Chevy dealership and noticed this GS option when locating a 2010 vehicle yesterday. . . a Google searched revealed nothing. If it's already appearing in our locate system, I'd say it's past the rumor stage.
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