While Ford has been introducing a countless string of Mustangs that appeal to nearly every enthusiast on the planet, Chevrolet has had to make due with only three versions of the Corvette (five if you count both coupes and convertibles). Well, for 2010, Chevrolet is adding a new model to the mix, the Corvette Grand Sport. Bridging the gap between the base Corvette and the track-focused Z06, the Grand Sport – unlike the aluminum chassis Z06 and ZR1 – is available in both coupe and convertible form, giving 'Vette lovers another way to enjoy motoring al fresco.
After spending a few hours at General Motors' Milford Proving Grounds wringing out the GS on track back in August, we finally managed to snag some significant street time in a Crystal Red Grand Sport convertible. Lo and behold, when we looked inside we found a manual transmission, meaning this particular Grand Sport is packing the new-for-2010 launch control system. So now it's time to find out if this newest 'Vette variant is as livable on the road as it is fun on the track.
There's no mistaking the Grand Sport for anything but a Corvette. The long hood, arching fenders and bulging wheel wells show a lineage that goes back to the late C1 models of the early Sixties. Adding to the classic lines of the stock C6, the Grand Sport receives the front fascia, hood and fenders from the Z06. Everything is supported by the surprisingly strong hydro-formed steel structure, including the rear fenders, which are unique to the Grand Sport as the Z06 isn't available in a convertible and the track rat's rear arches won't fit.
Like all recent Corvettes, the 19-inch rear wheels are an inch larger than the fronts, while the slim, five-spoke design is unique to the GS. Rather than rolling on the standard painted wheels, our tester came equipped with the chromed versions, which are a bit too bling for our tastes. Thankfully, there's a third option: a sinister set of dark gray competitions wheels inspired by the C6.R. Yes, please.
On the topic of tires and wheels, while we expect most Corvette owners to hand-wash their rides, sometimes you just don't have the time or inclination. Unfortunately, the 12-inch wide, P325/30ZR19 Eagle F1 Supercar run-flats mounted on the rear simply don't fit through the guide tracks of most automatic car washes. In a vain attempt to run the GS through our local auto-wash to prep it for a photo shoot and check for leaks, the 275 mm front rubber barely fit, so we backed out and gave it a proper bath at home.
While the Corvette isn't a particularly quiet car under the best of circumstances, the convertible doesn't seem to be appreciably louder than the coupe. Noise levels seem to be in check whether puttering around town or hitting the highway at speed, but when it comes to noise, one suggestion: check off the dual-mode exhaust on the option list. If you're going to drop the coin on something with a large displacement V8, you need to be able to enjoy it, and when the Grand Sport's rev counter sweeps past 4,000 RPM, a bypass valve opens up and... BAM! You're back in 1967.
The Grand Sport's interior is pretty much standard issue Corvette, from the base model to ZR1, it's essentially the same. Our convertible tester had the optional premium equipment group which tacks nearly $10,000 onto the price tag and brings with it a two-tone leather covering for the dash and door panels, memory seats, power telescoping steering column and the heads-up display, among a raft of other options. For a vehicle that can gobble up pavement at such a prodigious rate, the HUD is a major plus, allowing the driver to keep his eyes on the road while diving deep into corners. It's also customizable, offering a number of different information pages, including our favorite: a simulated analog tachometer with a digital speedo and lateral acceleration bar graph.
In the past, we've complained about the weak lateral and thigh support offered by the C6 seats, but the position is good, and the overall ergonomics inside are sound. With the top down, visibility to the rear is outstanding, and unlike recent high-beltline designs, you don't feel like you're sitting in a coffin peering out of a tank slit. With the top up, rear visibility remains decent, but it's best to double- then triple-check blind-spots before making lane changes. And while some drop-tops suck up all the trunk space when they're down, the Grand Sport is packing 11 cubic feet – just one cubic foot less than the much larger, more stately Lexus LS600h.
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