New Corvette Grand Sport is one of the best-looking ever

Whatever the equipment particulars, it appears the wait for the complete details of the C7 Grand Sport will be a short one, as the Chevrolet press conference is scheduled for 4:45 a.m. EST tomorrow morning. The first edition of the Grand Sport debuted in 1963, and the nameplate has been resurrected a few times since then, including the previous-generation C6 Corvette in 2010.

The new 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine to deliver exceptional performance. Buyers can choose a 7-speed manual with active rev match or an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters and performance calibration.

The tires chosen for the vehicle are Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires in 285/30ZR19 front and 335/25ZR20 rear. An optional Z07 package adds carbon-ceramic matrix brakes and even more aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Cup tires, increasing the cornering threshold to 1.2g. An available Heritage package includes special graphics, full length stripes and brushed aluminum trim on the interior.

The Corvette Grand Sport Collector Edition will also feature some blue accents around the body and in the cabin, satin black full-length stripes, black wheels and a unique build plaque.

The Tension Blue color is a bold, modern take on the hue historically associated with the Grand Sport. The leather and suede interior upholstery will be colored in the same Tension Blue found on the hash-mark graphics.

The Grand Sport didn’t just borrow visual cues from the Z06, it also features adapted versions of its chassis tuning and upgraded cooling systems. You get standard magnetic ride control as well as a Brembo brake system with 14-inch rotors around all four corners. The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport arrives in both coupe and convertible guises and goes on sale in the United States this summer, and in Europe later this fall. Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter said these track-ready parts allow the Grand Sport to lap GM’s Milford Proving Ground track only 0.6 seconds slower than the last-generation ZR1, despite being down 180-hp.