The mid-engine Corvette didn’t forget about the Grand Sport.

Chevrolet’s eighth-generation supercar has broken the mold since the sheets were taken off the 2020 model year Stingray. First ‘Vette with the engine amidships. First electrified Corvette. First with all-wheel-drive. First 8,000-RPM, screaming, overhead-cam V-8 derived from the Z06 GT3.R race car. First $200,000-plus ZR1X hypercar with over 1,000 horsepower, a sub-2.0-second 0-60 mph run with U.S. production record 233 mph top speed.

Good lord. But in all the ferment, the hot-selling Corvette C8 didn’t forget its roots dating back to the early 1960s. Chevy introduced the Corvette Grand Sport model this week, the supercar’s entry-level, performance model harking back to the five original, 1963 race cars based on the second-generation Corvette (C2) and campaigned by legendary names like Roger Penske and AJ Foyt. Penske gave a sneak peak of the new Grand Sport (next to the first C2 race car) at the 12 Hours of Sebring last weekend.

Following the 1960’s heritage of lightweight performance, the 2027 Grand Sport is the fifth model over eight generations of production (C2, C4, C6, C7 and now C8), and offers buyers the most affordable model in the lineup this side of the standard $70k Stingray. Chevrolet figures the Grand Sport and Stingray combines will amount for up to 70% of Corvette buys, adding to already highest-volume C8 sales.

But in keeping with the eighth-gen car’s paradigm-shifting ways, the ‘27 Grand Sport is like no other before it.

To begin with, there are two of them.

Continuing the C8’s forked Performance/Touring car model line strategy (a first, naturally) that began with track-focused, rear-wheel-drive Z06 and boulevard-cruisin’, all-season hybrid AWD E-Ray, the Grand Sport is offered in track-focused, RWD Grand Sport and AWD Grand Sport X versions.

“Grand Sport has always been the Corvette for drivers who want the spirit of a race car in a package they can enjoy every day,” said Vice President of Global Chevrolet Scott Bell. “With the new Grand Sport and Grand Sport X, we’ve taken that formula into the mid-engine era, pairing a heritage-rich design with the most advanced Corvette technologies we’ve ever offered.”

Rather than offering an E-Grand Sport badge, the Grand Sport X echoes the top-line ZR1/ZR1X pair, which are also a RWD/AWD matching set, though the ZR1X — with the fastest Nürburgring lap time ever recorded by an American-made car — would never be mistaken for a boulevard cruiser.

But wait, there’s more. The Grand Sport also debuts a new V-8 engine — the third for the mid-engine generation.

The so-called LS6 mill in the Grand Sport grows from the standard Stingray’s 495-horse, 6.2-liter pushrod LT2 engine to 6.7 liters (409 cubic inches). It pumps out 532 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque.

Indeed, the Flint-assembled LS6 V-8 takes over as the standard motor for the 2027 Stingray as well — making it the most powerful entry-level ‘Vette ever. Like all C8 models, the new engine will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission alone. No manual offered.

“There is no replacement for displacement! Combining large displacement, modern technology, and proven small-block V-8 heritage will deliver a bold new chapter in performance,” said Mike Kociba, assistant chief engineer for the new V-8.

Mated with to the front electric motor from the ZR1X (and E-Ray), the AWD Grand Sport X sports a combined 721 horsepower, 66 more than E-Ray.

The ZR1X, of course, puts out an insane 1,250 ponies thanks to the new LT7 engine — a marriage of the high-revving, flat-plane-crank, overhead cam V-8 and front electric motor. The new-for-C8-gen, flat-plane-crank V-8 by itself is called LT6 and makes 670 horsepower in the Z06.

You’ll know the Grand Sport by its wide body (to hold fat tires to channel all that power), center stripe and signature twin hash marks. For the eighth-gen, those stripes are located on the rear fender — in recognition of the engine’s location — and on both fenders.

To augment its raw power, the 2027 Grand Sport comes standard with Magnetic Ride Control while optioning Performance Traction Management, and either removable-roof coupe or hardtop convertible.

But wait, there’s more.

For those who want to make the Grand Sport even grander, Chevy engineers reached into the toolboxes of big brothers Z06 and ZR1 for even more capability.

The Z52 Sport Performance Package offers stiffened suspension, iron brakes from the Z06 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires (over standard Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 tires).

More? A The Z52 Track Performance Package turns up the wick with carbon-ceramic brakes and carbon-fiber aero trimmings like a front spoiler/rear-wing for 730 pounds of corner-hugging downforce. Also on offer are quad center-exit exhaust pipes as opposed to the split quad pipes in other pushrod Corvette C8s.

In keeping with its all-season mission, the eAWD Grand Sport X does not option the Track Package (the Performance Package is on offer), but instead offers sub-50 mph, electric-only Stealth mode for quiet getaways that won’t wake the neighbors.

The Grand Sport’s natural color is blue — reaching back to the ‘60s hellion — and Admiral Blue Metallic (first seen on the C4 Grand Sport) will be popular. But GS can also be had in a new Pitch Gray Metallic as well as other colors. Multicolored hash marks are also available.

Speaking of blue, a Launch Editon GS model opens 2027 orders with a gorgeous Santorini Blue-Dipped interior (paired with any exterior color you like).

The Grand Sport twins begin production this summer at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky alongside their siblings. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

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