Grander Than Grand? Rumors Suggest New Corvette V-8, Two 2027 C8 Grand Sport Models

A Grand Sport was always going to be part of the C8 Chevrolet Corvette product mix, but new rumors add intrigue to a car we thought would just be an eventuality. Rather than only one C8 Grand Sport, there might be two versions.

At a recent conference for General Motors employees, dealers, and suppliers, Chevrolet likely previewed what’s to come in its 2027 lineup. Now, a post from a Corvette-focused Instagram account claims to have obtained leaks about the C8 Grand Sport from that conference.

Hints of the New Grand Sport

As Corvette fans know, the Grand Sport has historically been an in-between model, using an engine from the base Stingray but chassis bits from the Z06. This approach should continue when the Grand Sport is revealed soon as part of another important update for the C8 line.

Following the 2026 refresh that debuted a remodeled interior and hypercar-chasing ZR1X, for 2027 a new cross-plane 6.7-liter LS6 V-8 is expected to become standard for the Stingray and Grand Sport. The Z06 will keep the flat-plane 5.5-liter LT6, while the twin-turbocharged LT7 version remains in the ZR1 and ZR1X.

The LS6 will make improvements on power over the current LT2 6.2-liter V-8. Expect the bigger engine to punch out between 530 and 550 hp, up from the 495 maximum the LT2 produces. This alone will make the regular Stingray a more impressive performer, while the sharper Grand Sport should provide Z06-level precision if not an 8,600-rpm redline.

Pieces from the Z06 borrowed by the Grand Sport could include stiffer suspension, lighter wheels with stickier tires, aerodynamic aids, and enhanced cooling.

Another Hybrid Corvette?

If the C8 Grand Sport arrives with this equipment, it’d be plenty exciting even if is somewhat expected and follows a familiar formula. The rumors about a potential second Grand Sport variant mix things up, but at this point also aren’t unpredictable for how Chevrolet has recently enhanced the Corvette’s performance: There could be a hybrid-powered Grand Sport X.

Like how the ZR1X builds on the ZR1, the Grand Sport X would be equipped with a front-axle electric motor. That would give it all-wheel-drive traction, and pump the car’s total output to 720 hp, according to the Instagram post. That amount would make sense given the LS6’s expected base power, since the electric motor Chevrolet has used in previous applications is known to make up to 180 hp.