Chevy Pushes Grand Sport to Nearly Match Stingray in Early C8 Production

While every new Corvette launch generates excitement, and the Z06 and ZR1 models grab headlines, the Grand Sport has long been the sweet spot in the lineup. It offers a meaningful bump in performance and styling over the base car without the eye-watering price tag of the top-tier beasts.

Chevy unveiled the latest Grand Sport back in March, alongside the E-Ray-replacing Grand Sport X, and early production numbers suggest the company is betting big on it.

According to a production chart shared in a C8 Corvette owners' Facebook group and spotted by CorvetteBlogger, 35 percent of all 2027 Corvettes built between June 9 and June 26 were Grand Sports. That’s 590 units, compared to 719 Stingrays, a gap of just 129 cars. The Z06 accounted for 241 units, the ZR1 for 91, and the ZR1X for 48.

The numbers come from an unofficial spreadsheet, so take them with a grain of salt, but the source has tracked Corvette production for years. We’ve asked Chevy for confirmation and details on when the Grand Sport X will enter production, but haven’t heard back yet.

The Grand Sport’s appeal is clear. 7-liter LS6 engine, producing 535 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque, but adds the Z06’s wide-body styling and standard Magnetic Ride Control. Optional track packages bring sticky tires, Z06 brakes, and aero bits from the top trims. Starting at $86,000 (or $88,495 with destination), it delivers a six-figure look and feel for under $100,000.

For Chevy, that mix of higher margin and strong demand, nearly matching base Stingray volume, is a win. A Stingray with the Z51 package and Magnetic Ride Control comes to about $80,785, but the Grand Sport’s visual and chassis upgrades clearly justify the premium for many buyers.