Chevrolet just took the “base” out of basic. For 2027, the Grand Sport is back with a new 6.7-liter V8, and it’s not reserved for a halo car or some limited production run. This is now the core of the lineup, meaning the “entry point” Corvette has taken a real step forward.The Grand Sport has always been positioned as the middle of the range, but this time, it’s carrying hardware that used to live much higher up. It’s also expected to sit right in the volume center of Corvette sales alongside the Stingray, which makes this less of a niche performance play and more of a statement about where the entire lineup is going. The New LS6 V8 Is Doing All The Heavy Lifting Here ChevroletThe headline number is 535 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque, coming from a naturally aspirated 6.7-liter V8. That already puts it in rare territory, but the bigger point is what it represents. This is now the most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever used as a core Corvette powertrain, and it’s not limited to a special trim or short production run.It also effectively replaces the direction Corvette has been on with the previous engine. Instead of keeping the base car separate from the more aggressive variants, Chevrolet has moved more performance into the cars most people will actually buy. That changes how the entire lineup is structured, because the starting point is now much stronger.ChevroletChevroletThe upgrades behind those numbers are also important, as the larger displacement, higher compression ratio, and improved airflow all work together to make the engine feel more responsive across the rev range, not just at the top. It’s paired with stronger internals and a revised lubrication system, which tells you it’s built to handle sustained use, not just quick pulls. Nothing about the driving experience has been softened to make this happen, either. The dual-clutch transmission stays, the response stays sharp, and the character is still very much centered around that naturally aspirated feel. You’re just getting more of it, more often. Living the American dream. The Grand Sport Still Does What It’s Always Done ChevroletThe Grand Sport has always been the version that makes the most sense once you actually live with the car. Not the most extreme, not the most complicated, but the one that pulls the right pieces together. That approach still defines this car. It keeps a rear-wheel-drive layout, pairs it with the new V8, and leans into a setup that works just as well on a normal drive as it does when you start pushing it. Magnetic Ride Control is standard, and the base configuration is clearly tuned to stay usable without feeling soft.ChevroletOnce you start adding options, the car shifts pretty quickly. The Z52 package tightens everything up with a stiffer suspension, more aggressive tires, and upgraded brakes, many of which are pulled directly from higher-performance Corvette models. Step into the track-focused setup, and you’re looking at carbon-ceramic brakes, Cup 2R tires, and aerodynamic pieces designed to work at speed, not just look the part.What stands out is how far you can take it without leaving the Grand Sport name behind. You don’t need to jump to a completely different model to get something that feels track-capable. At the same time, you can leave it closer to stock and still have something that works as a daily. The Grand Sport X Changes How The Car Puts Power Down ChevroletThe Grand Sport X keeps the same V8 but adds a front-mounted electric motor, turning it into an all-wheel-drive setup with a combined 721 horsepower. The number is big, but the way it delivers that power is what really changes things. The front axle gets immediate torque, which helps the car launch harder and stay more stable when you’re coming out of a corner.That added traction makes a noticeable difference compared to a traditional rear-wheel-drive setup, especially when you start pushing the car consistently. This Corvette isn't just about straight-line speed; it’s about how much of that power you can actually use. ChevroletChevrolet also gives you control over how the system behaves. There are dedicated modes for longer sessions where consistency matters, modes focused on outright lap times, and a push-to-pass function that delivers everything the system has on demand. At lower speeds, it can even move under electric power alone for short distances, which feels almost out of place once you’ve experienced what the rest of the car can do.This doesn’t replace the standard Grand Sport. It sits alongside it, offering a different version of the same idea. One keeps things simple and focused on rear-wheel-drive feel. The other adds grip, power, and another layer of performance. We're all about options, and Chevy is serving them up on a silver platter. This Is A Big Change For The Corvette Lineup ChevroletIt’s easy to focus on the beloved Grand Sport name coming back, but that’s not really what this is about. The bigger story is that this new LS6 engine now defines the Corvette baseline. The starting point has moved, and that changes how every version of the car is positioned. The base cars are stronger, the middle of the lineup is more capable, and the gap between trims is now more about how the power is delivered than how much of it you get.ChevroletAt the same time, the Grand Sport X shows how Chevrolet plans to build on that foundation. The V8 isn’t going anywhere, but it’s no longer the only piece of the performance equation. It’s being supported, not replaced. Production is set to begin in summer 2027, and, based on how this lineup is structured, the middle of the Corvette range has just become the most interesting place to look.