Chevrolet has already revealed its 2027 Corvette lineup, including the new Grand Sport trim, and production of the new model is underway. Yet according to CorvetteBlogger, Chevrolet is still building brand-new 2026 Corvettes, creating an unusual overlap between the two model years.
Why Chevrolet Is Still Building 2026 Corvettes
This is not simply a matter of 2026 Corvettes remaining unsold on dealer lots. A reporter from CorvetteBlogger contacted a person at the National Corvette Museum, who confirmed that Chevrolet is still producing 2026-model-year Corvettes.
According to the explanation offered by the blog, the new 2026 models are being built for export markets while Chevrolet’s new Corvette, with its all-new engine, completes certification for those markets.
Chevrolet was contacted for further confirmation and additional information about the situation. At the time of writing, the automaker had not responded.
Multiple Corvette Powertrains Are in Production
With both model years being produced, Chevrolet currently has a wide range of Corvette powertrain configurations entering production.
Any 2026 Stingrays and E-Rays will use the older 6.2-liter engine. For 2027, the Stingray, Grand Sport and Grand Sport X receive the new 6.7-liter engine.
The Z06 and ZR1 continue with 5.5-liter engines, but their configurations differ. The Z06 uses a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter engine, while the ZR1 uses a twin-turbocharged version.
The variations extend further with the different motor configurations used by the E-Ray and Grand Sport X. The lineup also includes the ZR1X, which combines its twin-turbo V8 with a hybrid powertrain.
What Changed for the 2027 Corvette Engine?
Beyond the introduction of the Grand Sport trims, one of the biggest changes for the 2027 Corvette lineup is the new V8 powering the standard Corvette and the new Grand Sport models.
The previous model used the LT2 6.2-liter pushrod V8, producing 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. With the Z51 exhaust, output increased by an additional 5 horsepower and 5 pound-feet of torque.
The Grand Sport X’s predecessor, the E-Ray hybrid, used the same engine while adding two electric motors that increased total output to 655 horsepower.
New 6.7-Liter LS6 V8 Produces 535 HP
For 2027, Chevrolet replaced the LT2 with a new LS6 V8. The engine remains a naturally aspirated pushrod V8, but displacement increases by half a liter to 6.7 liters.
Chevrolet also increased the compression ratio and revised the intake and exhaust systems. The new engine uses forged pistons and rods as well.
Those changes allow the LS6 to produce 535 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque.
The Grand Sport X receives the stronger engine, while its electric motors have also been upgraded. The changes add around 20 horsepower, bringing the Grand Sport X powertrain’s total output to 721 horsepower.
For now, Chevrolet’s Corvette production includes both 2026 and 2027 models, with the older model continuing to be built for export markets while the newer powertrain is certified for those markets.
