Bridging the gap between the wild Z06 and the regular Stingray by offering just about everything except the supercharger from the former on the latter, the Corvette Grand Sport goes on sale this summer. On Friday, Chevy announced pricing for the Grand Sport series with the coupe starting at $66,445, and the convertible from $70,445, including a destination charge. We’ll remind you that a plain vanilla Corvette Stingray Coupe will cost you $56,395, but it can quickly swell over $70,000 once you add up equipment packages like the 3LT trim and Z51 Performance, so the GS sounds like a good deal in the Corvette planet, even without factoring in that these special editions usually hold higher prices than fully-packed base models in the used car market. Made for track enthusiasts in mind, Chevy’s engineers adapted the chassis tuning, upgraded cooling systems, and performance technologies of the Corvette Z06 onto the Grand Sport. Among other standard features are the magnetic ride control, specific stabilizer bars and unique springs, Brembo braking system and electronic limited-slip differential, with the GS riding on Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires size 285/30ZR19 (front) and 335/25ZR20 (rear).

There’s an optionally available Z07 package that adds carbon ceramic-matrix brakes and more aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Cup tires, with which the GS can stop from 60mph (96km/h) in less than 100 feet (30 meters). The Grand Sport borrows the Z06’s looks on the outside with wider fenders and rear quarter panels to accommodate a wider track, front fender inserts and the same style grille. Both the Coupe and Convertible can be had with the same exterior and interior colors as the regular Stingray, including three new finishes for 2017, Watkins Glen Gray Metallic, Black Rose Metallic and Sterling Blue Metallic. As an option, there’s a Heritage package with hash-mark fender graphics in six colors, with the same detail carried onto the interior’s brushed aluminum trim. Later in the year, Chevy will offer a limited number of Grand Sport Collector Edition models – like the one pictured here - with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black full-length stripes, black wheels, a unique Tension Blue full leather and suede-wrapped interior, plus a 3D representation of an original Grand Sport racer embossed in the headrests that’s also found on an instrument panel plaque that carries a unique build sequence number.

2017 Chevrolet Corvette: Stingray vs. Z06 vs. Grand Sport The Chevrolet Corvette has earned its place as America's iconic sports car by generating excitement among driving enthusiasts for more than a half-century. Introduced as a concept at the 1953 New York International Auto Show, the Corvette was quickly pushed into production after an overwhelmingly positive response from the attendees. Shower Addition To BathtubNearly 63 years later, the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette, the automaker's seventh-generation C7 model, continues to follow the same original formula that calls for a front-engine, 2-seat, rear-wheel-drive coupe or convertible offered with a V8 engine (the first-generation C1 was fitted with an inline-6 for a short period). Ac Unit Running ConstantlyContinuous evolution, combined with innovative engineering, has polished today's offering to a level of refinement that makes the Corvette one of the world's best sports cars.Bathtub Refinishing Colors

Chevrolet recently introduced its Corvette Grand Sport, which joins today's lineup as the third model. The enthusiast-tuned variant, which slots directly between the standard Stingray and the flagship Z06, promises to be "a purist model that leverages a half-century of motorsports success," according to the automaker. Rather than compare the three objectively on a spreadsheet, we climbed into the driver's seat and took each for a long spin to determine subjectively how each of the Corvette siblings differ. Corvette StingrayWe hesitate to call the Corvette Stingray an entry-level model because it's a superb sports car even in standard trim -- especially with a $56,445 base price. The composite-bodied 'Vette boasts a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT1 V8 in its nose, which is rated at 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a choice between manual or automatic gearboxes. Standard equipment includes bucket seats, an independent suspension and staggered 18- and 19-inch wheels wrapped in performance tires.

Its racy appearance is backed by its impressive performance -- the standard 3,156-lb Stingray will accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 4.0 seconds flat and cover the quarter-mile in 12.2 seconds, which is faster than nearly everything at or below its price point.The Stingray excels at being a GT, or grand touring, sports car that is able to effortlessly cover long distances at speed. Its bucket seats are supportive, keeping passengers comfortable, and the suspension tuning isn't overly aggressive -- it makes easy work of canyons, but push it hard into a corner, and there is noticeable body roll and the tires lose traction (those who want a bit more composure during spirited driving need to order the Z51 Performance package). Minimal aerodynamic add-ons preserve outward vision and retain the sleek lines of the original designer, which adds to its classic appearance. Chevrolet's Corvette Stingray, in standard trim, is for those who want to enjoy the styling and performance of a world-class sports car on a day-to-day basis, but don't plan on frequenting a racing circuit.

Corvette Grand SportIn proverbial bang-for-the-buck terms, the all-new 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is a strong value at $66,445. While it shares the standard Stingray's interior (with a few cosmetic enhancements) and naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, it is bumped slightly in output to 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque and has been specifically engineered for track duty with improvements to its chassis and suspension. Passersby will note its wide rear quarter panels that accommodate its bigger 19- and 20-in wheels with summer-only Michelin tires and a more aggressive front splitter, rockers and a wickerbill rear spoiler. The suspension has been tuned to minimize body roll, and GM's excellent, adaptive Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) is standard equipment. An electronic limited-slip differential maximizes the amount of power that may be put to the ground when pulling out of a corner. The tuning delivers results, with Chevrolet saying the 3,252-lb Grand Sport is able to accelerate to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and burst through the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds -- it is one of the quickest and best-handling sports cars on the market.

The Grand Sport has few equals on a racing circuit, especially when fitted with the optional Z07 Performance package that upgrades the standard brakes to Brembo carbon-ceramic units and fits Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires -- they are as sticky as the law will allow. The upgraded chassis is unflappable, ensuring that all four tires maintain an optimal contact patch in even the most challenging sections -- we saw peak lateral acceleration forces in excess of 1.5 Gs in some banked corners. The brakes were unfazed by countless stops from 120-plus mph, and we felt we were able to utilize every last drop of its hp on the circuit. On public roads, the Grand Sport isn't as comfortable as the Stingray. The upgrades upset its on-road manners, the tires are louder, and the ride is rougher (even when we had MRC on its softest Touring setting). Of course, that's the cost of the vehicle's additional talent. A driving enthusiast who wants to maximize their vehicle's performance and intends to frequently exercise its full potential on a track will find the Corvette Grand Sport to be a perfect companion.

Corvette Z06The range-topping model in the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette lineup is the Z06, which is the ultimate expression of performance: It's the quickest sports car General Motors has ever built. Under its hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 engine developing 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, which is a mind-blowing amount of power in a vehicle that weighs 3,350 pounds. Chevrolet says the Z06 will crack the benchmark 0-to-60 mph sprint in 2.95 seconds and finish the quarter-mile in 10.95 seconds -- assuming the driver is able to find enough traction to manage its power. The suspension, wheels and tires are shared with the Grand Sport, but the aerodynamic kit and standard brakes are larger to accommodate its increased performance (nevertheless, we still suggest upgrading to the Z07 Performance package with the carbon-ceramic brakes). It is no surprise that the Corvette Z06 is at home on the race track, delivering equally as tenacious cornering grip and just as exemplary braking as its Grand Sport sibling, but the power from the supercharged engine was much more difficult to harness, and we found ourselves apprehensive about applying full throttle mid-corner.