Production of the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport X has officially begun at Chevrolet’s Bowling Green assembly plant in Kentucky, with the first customer vehicles reportedly rolling off the line on August 17. The latest unofficial C8 production tracker updates indicate that the initial production run is moving slowly, but customer cars have already entered the shipping phase.
Grand Sport X Production Gets Underway
The early assembly rate mirrors the slow ramp-up experienced by the outgoing E-Ray. However, the start of customer-vehicle production marks a significant step as GM prepares to increase output in the coming weeks and manage the manufacturing complexities surrounding the new model.
The Grand Sport X replaces the E-Ray in the Corvette lineup for the 2027 model year and introduces a new hybrid performance setup.
721 Horsepower From a New Hybrid Powertrain
At the heart of the Grand Sport X is an entirely new 6.7-liter LS6 small-block engine producing 535 naturally aspirated horsepower. The engine is paired with a front-mounted electric drive unit to create a self-charging hybrid powertrain.
The combination produces 721 horsepower and 665 pound-feet of torque, while the Grand Sport X uses all-wheel drive.
Wide-Body Design and Corvette Pricing
The Grand Sport X adopts the aggressive, widened stance of the C8 Z06. It is positioned between the combustion-only Grand Sport and the track-focused variants in the Corvette lineup.
The Grand Sport X coupe starts at $109,700 before destination charges, while the convertible starts at $116,700. The standard Stingray remains the entry point at $71,000.
Grand Sport X Trim Levels
The Grand Sport X uses the familiar LT trim naming structure rather than the LZ badges found on higher-tier track cars.
- 1LT: Includes Mulan leather GT1 seats and an 8-inch touchscreen.
- 2LT: Adds the Performance Data Recorder, a head-up display and 14-speaker Bose audio.
- 3LT: Adds extended leather, suede microfiber and carbon-fiber interior accents.
Buyers can also choose the Z52 track performance package, which adds upgraded aerodynamics, brakes and suspension.
What the Grand Sport X Means for the Corvette Lineup
The introduction of the Grand Sport and Grand Sport X changes the hierarchy of the C8 generation. General Motors has paired the new free-breathing LS6 V8 with the Stingray while retaining the Stingray’s narrow-body design from the LT2 era.
According to the source, demand for the combination of the aggressive wide-body design and new powertrain has resulted in the mid-tier model overwhelmingly cannibalizing Stingray sales across dealerships nationwide.
Performance Positioning and Early Production
The Grand Sport X is described in the source as the sweet spot of the modern Corvette lineup, combining the off-the-line electric torque associated with the E-Ray with a larger-displacement V8.
While the slow initial production rate could concern buyers on waiting lists, the Grand Sport X offers 721 horsepower and starts at just under $110,000 before destination charges, positioning the hybrid as a major performance offering within the Corvette range.
