There are already seemingly endless Corvettes out there, but it’s such a popular performance car that there’s another Corvette model on the way. The big difference will be the Grand Sport’s engine.
Earlier this month, a mysterious Corvette was spotted in Michigan, and you wouldn’t be forgiven if you didn’t personally notice there was anything special about it. But the Corvette community immediately spotted some peculiar details. The stance is wider than that of the base C8 Stingray, and it features a quad-exhaust system and carbon fiber wheels similar to the Z06. It’s more than likely the Grand Sport, which is the model between the Stingray and the Z06.
The same Corvette was spotted on California’s infamous Angeles Crest Highway for a photo shoot back in February 2026. The area was a bit blocked off, but sharp-eyed car enthusiasts immediately identified the telltale colors of the two Corvettes, one of which was Admiral Blue. This was the same paint option found on the C4 and C7 versions of the Grand Sport. The red stripes were identical to those on previous Grand Sport models, although they were placed differently this time.
At this point, it seems that the rumors are more than confirmed that a Grand Sport is coming for those who want more performance than the Stingray offers, but don’t want to shell out the dough for a Z06. It may not seem all that crazy, but the real story is what General Motors is trying a bit harder to hide. As you can see in the pictures, the rear glass is covered up. This often indicates that there’s a new engine, which means the Grand Sport isn’t just about the wider styling. Something big could be coming.
What we know about the C8 Corvette Grand Sport engine
I feel like the upcoming Grand Sport isn’t being discussed enough. If it were just a style-focused trim, I’d understand. But there is a huge possibility of a new engine: the 6.7-liter naturally aspirated small-block V8 called LS6.
This engine name was first rumored in December 2025, when it appeared in a leaked parts book. The LS6 featured in the book has a larger displacement than the Stingray’s 6.2-liter LT2, suggesting more power. Nobody knows the LS6’s horsepower yet, but it has to be more than the Stingray’s 495 and less than the 670 hp from the Z06’s 5.5-liter LT6 V8. Hagerty predicts that it will produce up to 550 horsepower. The LS6 will likely feature a pushrod valvetrain, 4.40-inch bore spacing, both direct and port fuel injection, and aluminum block and head construction, according to Hagerty. It will also have a forged-steel crankshaft with a longer stroke and an upgraded design for its combustion chamber.
“GM’s new small-block V8 engines are engineered to be lighter, more powerful, and more efficient,” GM President Mark Reuss said in December 2025. “They will power our full-size trucks and SUVs, with additional applications to be confirmed at a later date. We are proud of our nearly $1-billion investment to prepare four U.S. plants to produce these world-class engines.”
Other powertrain rumors include the possibility of rear-wheel drive, which the Grand Sport has had in the past. Another less likely rumor is the possibility of a manual gearbox, but it would cost quite a bit for General Motors since the C8 is built around a Tremec dual-clutch.
YouTuber Rick Corvette Conti claimed to have captured the sound of the LS6 inside the cabin of a C8, but later privated the video. In that video, he claimed the Grand Sport will be the highest-volume variant of the C8 once it arrives. It’s expected to arrive in 2027 and be under $100,000.
