Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport brings back some grand history

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most storied cars in American automotive history, and the Grand Sport is perhaps the most alluded to chapters of that story. Way back in the day, Corvette”s Chief Engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov made it his objective to produce a lightweight variant of the 1963 “˜Vette prototype, mainly in response to Ford and their Shelby Cobra. Duntov”s original intention was to build 125 Corvette Grand Sport editions for international touring races, but the project was nixed when the GM brass caught wind due to GM”s agreement to stay out of motorsports backed by manufacturers. Only five units would live to see the light of day, and they have lived on all these years in private car collections and have become the most valuable versions of Corvettes ever built.

Chevrolet has brought the “˜Grand Sport” moniker back to the Corvette stable in 2010 with both a coupe and convertible to join the standard “˜Vettes, the Z06, and the top-of-the-line ZR1.

Hit the jump for a deeper dive and to view our high-res image gallery (at the bottom of the post).

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport:

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Specifications:

  • Base Price: $54,790.
  • Price as Tested: $70,705.
  • Engine: LS3 6.2L V8 – 430-hp and 424 lb-ft (standard); 436-hp and 428 lb-ft (w/ two-mode exhaust).
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic.
  • Curb Weight: 3,311 lbs (Coupe), 3,289 lbs (Convertible).
  • 0 to 60 mph: 4.1 seconds.
  • Top Speed: 186 mph.
  • Fuel-Economy (city/highway): 16/26 mpg.

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport - Exterior

Exterior:

Though it is heavily based on the standard entry-level Corvette, the Grand Sport receives some flashy upgrades that push it closer in style to the Z06. All of the car”s fenders are cut wider, with fiber-glass front fenders (not carbon fiber like the Z06) that are outfitted with conspicuous “˜Grand Sport” badges. Also borrowed from the Z06 are the front splitter, hood scoop, tall rear lip spoiler, functional brake ducts, and additional cooling via side scoops.

The Grand Sport sits atop two 18-inch front and two 19-inch rear wheels, and comes standard in a painted finish, or the optionally available chrome finish. Those wheels come wrapped in 275/35ZR 18 and 325/30ZR 19 tires. All of the Corvette”s exterior colors are available on the Grand Sport, and an optional Heritage package is available which adds iconic front fender hash marks in four colors. The Corvette color Torch Red also makes its return to the lineup this year with the Grand Sport. Though the car is available as either a coupe or convertible, the coupe variant still allows you to remove the top for those beautiful summer nights and toss it in the trunk ““ just make sure you check the weather for any drizzle or heavy rain.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport - Interior

Interior:

No Corvette features a totally impressive interior, and that”s fine considering that it is all about performance. The Grand Sport however, does offer some nice upgrades over the base model, including new console trim patterns and two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery.

Certain extras are available to the demanding consumer, such as Navigation, heads up display, Bluetooth, heated seats, and much more. Though we said that interior is not all that important being that the “˜Vette is a performance car, we have to say that the interior is not one you would expect to see on a $50,000 plus vehicle. The price premium over the base-model is unwarranted when considered in light of the interior.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport - Powertrain

Performance:

Performance is what the Corvette is all about; forget the interior and the exterior, just hop in, throw the car in first, and take off. The 2010 Corvette Grand Sport derives its power from the same LS3 6.2L V8 engine as the standard model, and puts out about 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque with a standard exhaust. Buyers have the option of converting the standard exhaust to a two-mode exhaust system, which increases power to 436 horses and 428 lb-ft of torque.

Buyers can also choose either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; all manuals come standard with launch control. This feature comes in handy when trying to show off the speed of the car, which reaches 60 mph in around 4.1 seconds with a top speed coming at 186 mph.

Considering that the Grand Sport shares an engine with the standard Corvette, you”re probably wondering where the extra money goes. The Grand Sport offers the buyer; the larger tires, Z06-size brakes with 14-inch (355mm) front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340mm)rear rotors with four-piston calipers, a dry-sump oil system, and differential cooler.

What the Grand Sport effectively does is replace the previous Z51 package and bring a greater degree of handling performance with its wider wheels, revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications, and specific gearing.

What the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport doesn”t do is put out outstanding performance numbers when compared to the base model ““ at which point you”ll probably wonder if the Grand Sport is worth the jump in price.

Oh, and if you really must know the EPA estimated fuel-economy figures on the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, they come in at 16/26 mpg (city/highway). We managed between 17-18 mpg during our weeklong test.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport - Back Driving Shot

Overall:

We”ve mentioned numerous times that the Grand Sport is not worth the premium in price since there is not much improvement in interior and exterior styling, and minimal increase in performance numbers. Essentially all that is gained with the Grand Sport package is the ability to brag that you have the Grand Sport package.

MSRP for the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport starts at $54,790 for the coupe and $58,600 for the convertible. That”s a considerable increase over the base model MSRPs of $48,950 (for the coupe) and $53,600 (for the convertible). Which ever model and variant you choose, you can rest easy knowing that you got a bargain as GM is great at making supercars that don”t break the $100,000 mark. Unless of course you require the $111,100 Corvette ZR1.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

– By: Omar Rana, Stephen Calogera