2011 Corvette Grand Sport Overview

The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette
Grand Sport returns after a very successful reintroduction as a 2010
model year vehicle.  The Corvette Grand Sport was originally criticized
as it was ?just a replacement for the Z51 handling package? but when the
2010 Grand Sport hit the market; it did so with rave reviews.

The 2011 Corvette Grand Sport offers Z06-like handling qualities and
styling without the higher horsepower and high price tag of the 2011
Corvette Z06.  The 2011 Grand Sport is powered by the same 430
horsepower LS3 as the standard 2011 Corvette but unlike the high
performance Z06 and ZR1, the 2011 Grand Sport is available as a
convertible so you can have your world class handling in a drop top
Vette.  Also, the Grand Sport offers an optional paddle-shifted
automatic transmission in addition to the standard 6-speed manual
transmission (Z06 and ZR1 are manual only).

The exterior of the 2011 Grand Sport features wider front fenders
wide integrated Grand Sport badges with wider rear quarter panels as
well.  This wider body allows for a more aggressive stance and allows
more room for the Grand Sport’s massive high performance tires.   For
2011, the Grand Sport (and all other 2011 Corvette models) is available
in two additional colors – Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue ? and
there is a new option of selecting headlight housing painted in
contrasting colors (Cyber Gray, Black or Blade Silver) to the exterior
color.  Finally, the 2011 Grand Sport wears the same front end splitter
and rear spoiler that is found on the Z06.

The 2011 Corvette Grand Sport offers an automatic transmission and
convertible option that is not available in the Z06 but the Grand Sport
shares a massive brake system the pricier Z06, featuring 14-inch front
rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch rear rotors with
four-piston calipers.  The Grand Sport also has functional ductwork to
keep this high end braking system cool.  Next, the 2011 Grand Sport has a
race-tuned suspension very similar to the setup found in the Corvette
Z06 with tuned shocks, springs and stabilizer bars to make this Corvette
very capable on the track with skid pad adhesion over 1g.  New for
2011, Grand Sport buyers can select the Magnetic Ride Control System
from the Corvette ZR1 supercar ? giving this low priced Corvette Grand
Sport a suspension system that is nearly unparalleled around the world.

The goal for the 2011 Chevrolet Grand Sport is to offer handling
capabilities that allows a buyer to take the car to the track on the
weekends but the LS3 V8 offers improved fuel economy to make the 2011
Grand Sport a friendlier daily driver.  Also, the use of the standard
Corvette engine allows new Grand Sport buyers the handling capabilities
of the Z06 and ZR1 in either a coupe or convertible with a price
starting around $55,000 (coupe) to $59,000 (convertible).  This is
around a $5,000 markup from the base Corvette but falls well short of
the $75,000 price tag of the Z06.