Corvette Redline HTR-GS640/SC asks, why pay more for a ZR1?

In the world of ultra high performance cars, typically the old adage "you get what you pay for" is an applicable term. People who get into this sort of car, like the Corvette ZR1 or a number of other exotics, expect to pay big money for their big performance. But every now and then, a good value pops up.

In this case, that value is the Redline HTR-GS640/SC (try saying that ten times fast). The car has been dreamed up and built by Howard Tanner of Redline Motorsports and Dan Carlton of DeNooyer Performance, and is based on a base Corvette Grand Sport. Howard and Dan add an Edelbrock E-Force supercharger, a bigger cam, and tougher valve springs and push rods.

The end result is an $82,000 that is fully capable of embarrassing the more expensive ZR1 in a race. You can even get a warranty for three years or 36,000 miles, trade in another car, or get financing. Check out their website for all the details.

GeigerCars Corvette Grand Sport

While the Corvette ZR1 is certainly the king of the hill when it comes to 'Vettes, the Grand Sport is no slouch. But now those who desire ZR1-like performance from their GS's have the answer, and it comes to us via GeigerCars.

Geiger bolts a supercharger to the GS' 6.2 liter V8, bringing horsepower up from 430 to 588. This helps the 'vette go from 0-60 mph in under four seconds. While this may not quite be up to the ZR1's 3.3 second mark, it gets the GS much closer to big brother's performance.

Press Release

GeigerCars.de GmbH - Corvette Grand Sport

The name "Grand Sport" is entrenched in the racing history of the Chevrolet Corvette. Now, for the 2010 model year, there is a new edition that evokes memories of the racecars of the seventies - and Geigercars.de has already given these rockets an additional performance upgrade.

With the LS3 V8 under the bonnet, and the corresponding 430 hp and 575 Nm in torque, the Grand Sport is certainly not short of legs when it leaves the factory. But why be satisfied with production line performance, when tuning specialist Geigercars.de can give you something more? Thanks to the Munich pros, a supercharger with a fat 2.3 litres capacity sits on top of the eight-cylinder engine, which itself exhibits a volume of 6.2 litres. The result is a growth in the power of the Corvette to an immense 588 hp at 6,490 rpm, and torque of 738 Nm at 4,030 rpm. This ultimate sports car negotiates the sprint to 100 km/h in less than four seconds from contact, and it's not until reaching 337 km/h that the Geigercars.de rocket is forced to relent to wind resistance.

The Grand Sport impresses both aesthetically and technically, with wider front and rear fenders with additional vents, to accommodate the larger brakes of the sister model Z06 with its 355 mm, six-cylinder discs at the front axle, and 340 mm, four-cylinder discs at the rear. The front diffuser and larger rear spoiler are also borrowed from the engineers of the Corvette Z06. Sway bars, shock absorbers and springs have also been overhauled in addition to the six-speed transmission, while a dry sump oil system and differential cooler are also on board. The battery of the Grand Sport has been relocated to the rear. Optimum road contact is guaranteed by the 18 and 19 inch light alloy rims, with 275/35 and imposing 325/30 tyres.

Special factory-installed emblems on the front fenders, and not least the special graphics applied by Geigercars.de to the fenders, bonnet and boot lid, draw even the untrained eye to the character of this very special elite athlete - and underline that certain something about the entire project perfectly.

Technical specifications - Geigercars.de Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

Engine: 6.2 litre V8
Output: 588 hp at 6,490 rpm
Torque: 738 N m at 4,030 rpm
Top speed: 337 km/h
Supercharger with 2.3 litre capacity and 0.6 bar charging pressure
Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission (5th and 6th gears modified)
Light alloy wheels - 18 inch front / 19 inch rear
Tyres: 275/35 ZR18 front / 325/30 ZR19 rear
Base model: EUR 66,900
Performance upgrade: EUR 16,450
Modified transmission ratio: EUR 2,800

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport returns for 2010

Last offered at the end of the C4's run in the mid 90's, Chevrolet is bringing back the Corvette Grand Sport. And unlike the old one, they are offering a host of performance upgrades. And the new Grand Sport won't be a limited edition, as Chevy is ditching the Z51 package altogether and offering the GS instead as it's "almost as fast as a Z06" model.

While the 430-hp (436-hp with the two-mode exhaust) LS3 V8 remains unchanged, wider front and rear fenders allow for 18- (front) and 19-inch (rear) wheels that are also wider than before. Larger brakes are included and the special suspension tuning is now even closer to that of the Z06.

You'll also notice other Z06 elements like the front splitter, rear spoiler and functional brake ducts behind the doors. Unlike the Z06, you can order a Grand Sport with a manual transmission or the Vette's six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The manual also comes with a dry-sump oil system, differential cooler and rear-mounted battery.

The Grand Sport is offered as a convertible, or a coupe with a removable hard top, and can also be had in all four Corvette trim levels (1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT) and any standard Corvette color, and a special heritage package adds the familiar pair of hash marks to the front fender.

The new Grand Sport is being announced at the 12th annual C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky as we speak and pricing has yet to be announced.

PRESS RELEASE

CHEVROLET ANNOUNCES NEW 2010 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Grand Sport. It's one of the most storied monikers in Corvette's illustrious racing heritage and it is returning the lineup. Chevrolet announced the new, 2010 Corvette Grand Sport at the 12th annunal C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash, held at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.

The new Grand Sport model combines the Corvette's LS3-based powertrain with unique, wide-body styling and a racetrack-bred suspension for a distinctive, starting grid-ready performer. It is offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The LS3 6.2L engine is rated at 430 horsepower (321 kW)* and 424 lb.-ft. of torque (575 Nm)* with the standard exhaust system. An optional two-mode exhaust system elevates the power ratings to 436 horses (325 kW) and 428 lb.-ft. (580 Nm).

The Grand Sport replaces the Corvette's previous Z51 package and brings a greater degree of handling performance, with wider wheels and tires; revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications and specific gearing. The equipment enables cornering capability of 1.0 g, as well as a 0.2-second improvement in 0-60 acceleration vs. standard LS3-powered models.

Grand Sport coupe models equipped with the manual transmission are uniquely outfitted for racetrack competition, too, with a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery.

The complete list of content and special features for the Grand Sport includes

Wider front and rear fenders – including specific front fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges
Z06-style front splitter and tall rear spoiler
Functional brake ducts and extra cooling
Unique 18-inch front and 19-inch wheels; painted finish standard and chrome finish optional
Large 275/35ZR18 tires in front and 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
Z06-size brakes, including 14-inch (355 mm) front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340 mm) rear rotors with four-piston calipers
Specific manual transmission gear ratios
Specific rear axle ratio on automatic-equipped modles

With its special equipment, the Grand Sport offers a unique blend of performance and amenities. Its suspension package approaches that of the Z06, but includes a removable roof on coupes (Z06 has a fixed roof) and, of course, the availability of a convertible body style. Also, the paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission is offered, while a manual transmission is the only choice with the Z06.

All of Corvette's exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport and an available Heritage package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The Grand Sport can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages, too.

Grand Sport history
Envisioned by legendary Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov as a factory-built, lightweight and race-ready production model that would trump domestic and foreign road-racing competitors, the original Corvette Grand Sport was a promising idea stymied by GM's agreement to stay out of manufacturer-backed motorsports.

The planned 125 production models required for racing-class homologation were never built, but five prototypes based on the styling of the 1963 Corvette were hand-assembled under Duntov's watchful eye. And while they looked like production models, the prototypes were purpose-built racecars that shared little with their assembly-line cousins. Duntov also oversaw the Grand Sport engine program that featured a special, 377-cubic-inch small-block V-8 and used side-draft carburetors.

Although never officially sanctioned by General Motors, the five Grand Sport prototypes saw extensive racing experience throughout the 1960s in the hands of "private" racers who had strong contacts within Duntov's engineering circle. All five original cars are accounted for today and are among the most valuable in the collector market.

Chevrolet offered a limited-edition Grand Sport production model in 1996, commemorating the original racing cars and marking the end of the C4 era in Corvette production. All of the 1,000 examples were painted Admiral Blue and featured a white center stripe and red "hash mark" graphics on the left front fender, a graphic scheme that mimicked the look of some of the original racecars.

*SAE certified.