Another Widebody Corvette C8 Spotted — Is This the Grand Sport?

The Corvette Grand Sport Is Next in Line

The Chevrolet Corvette C8 family is about to get a new addition, and all signs point to the return of the Grand Sport badge. One of the latest clues comes from a Mid Engine Corvette Forum member who spotted a black, manufacturer-plated C8 test mule rolling through Michigan. The car’s stance sits right between a Stingray and a Z06 – noticeably wider than the base model, but not quite as aggressive as the full track-ready version.

If the guesses are right, this is the next Corvette Grand Sport – a model that’s always filled the space between the entry-level cars and the hardcore track specials. The test mule already looks more like a Z06, thanks to its widebody and quad exhausts tucked under the license plate. There’s also a detail worth noting: the rear bumper still has unused exhaust cutouts on the sides, hinting that this prototype is still in the middle of its development.

GM covered up the rear glass, which usually means there’s something new under the hood. This time, the focus is on what might be a brand-new naturally aspirated V8 – making the Grand Sport more than just a styling package.

What We Know So Far

The real story here is the engine. Rumors point to a 6.7-liter naturally aspirated small-block V8, possibly called LS6 – a name that means a lot to Corvette fans. This engine first popped up in a leaked GM parts book last December, showing both direct and port fuel injection and a bigger displacement than the Stingray’s 6.2-liter LT2.

If that’s true, the Grand Sport would slot above the standard Stingray in terms of power, but still stay below the high-revving Z06. The test car also wears carbon-fiber wheels like the Z06, which backs up the idea that this model is meant to bridge the gap between trims, not blur the lines.

There’s talk about a manual gearbox, but that’s probably wishful thinking. The C8 was built around a Tremec dual-clutch, and bringing back a manual would mean extra cost and engineering headaches that GM likely won’t take on. Like past Grand Sports, this one should stay rear-wheel drive, which helps it stand apart from the all-wheel-drive E-Ray.

Not the First Sighting

This isn’t the first time the Grand Sport has shown up in the wild. Earlier, two similar Corvettes were spotted on California’s Angeles Crest Highway, apparently set up for a photo shoot and hidden behind support vehicles. Around then, leaked paint codes for the 2027 model year included Opulent Blue Metallic – better known as Admiral Blue, a classic Grand Sport color.

The California car also wore red stripes – a signature Grand Sport touch – even if the placement isn’t exactly like older versions. With the Corvette now mid-engined, even the classic design cues are getting reworked.

Put all these clues together, and it’s clear the Grand Sport isn’t just forum chatter anymore. It looks like Chevrolet is getting ready to add a well-judged option to the C8 lineup – one that gives buyers more performance than a Stingray, but without the full-on commitment of a Z06.