Chevrolet builds the 1,500,000th Corvette, prices 2010 Grand Sport

The Chevrolet Corvette has been going on for about 60 years as America's iconic supercar, spawning imitations in the past and inspiring allegiance from Corvette aficionados around the world over the decades. Yesterday, Karen Rafferty, Chevrolet Product Marketing Director, announced the recent production of the 1,500,000th Corvette at GM Bowling Green Assembly plant. This is a serious milestone.

"The 1.5 millionth Corvette is a great example of how Chevy is America's brand", Rafferty said. "For nearly 60 years we have built America's Sports Car and this milestone is a solid proof point."

The 1.5 millionth Corvette, built on May 28, is a white convertible 3LT with red interior and black top. Incidentally the first, 500,000th and 1 millionth Corvettes built in 1953, 1977 and 1992 respectively had similar features.

Along with the announcement of the sales landmark, Chevrolet released pricing for the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport. The standard coupe GS starts at $55,720 and the GS convertible starts from $59,530.

"The Corvette Grand Sport achieves a 0 - 60 time in less than four seconds, pulls 1.0g on the skid pad and still boasts an impressive 26 highway mpg," Karen Rafferty said. "These numbers are unmatched by any of Corvette's competitors." The 2010 Grand Sport was unofficially priced just over a week ago, but the official announcement today confirms those numbers.

Obviously, GM will be leveraging its most iconic products to help rebuild the company's image in the wake of its massive bailout and bankruptcy. The new Grand Sport sport is a step in the right direction, however, adding performance and value to an already impressive American sports car.

2010 Corvette Grand Sport pricing

Chevrolet is planning a series of updates for the Corvette for the 2010 model year, with changes affecting the entire lineup, from the base model all the way up to the scorching ZR1 supercar. First and foremost is the introduction of the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport Model. While introducing at the National Corvette Museum in April, Team Corvette members Harlan Charles and Tadge Juechter both said that people will be pleased when the final price of the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport Model is announced.

Now here comes the result. 2010 Grand Sport Coupe starts at $55,720 including DFC, while 2010 Grand Sport Convertible starts at $59,530 including DFC. That’s a $6,205 increase over the price of the base 2009 Corvette Coupe and $5,360 over the price of the base Corvette Convertible, respectively, but you will be happy to see that the Grand Sport replaces the Corvette's previous Z51 package which costs $1,695 and you are essentially looking at $3,665-4510 upgrade for the new wide-body design, complete with Z06 brakes, tuned suspension and a better 0-60 mph performance of 4.0 vs 4.2.

The LS3 engine’s output has been kept at 430hp (321kW) and 424lb-ft (575Nm) of torque, however, an optional two-mode exhaust system boosts output to 436hp (325kW) and 428lb-ft (580Nm). Furthermore, all manual Corvettes for 2010 receive a new launch control system.

Specific modifications include wider front and rear fenders with unique badging, a Z06-style front splitter and rear spoiler, new brake ducts, unique 18in wheels with 275mm tires up front and 19in units shod with 325mm rubber in the rear, Z06-spec brakes include 355mm rotors with six-piston calipers up front and 340mm rear rotors with four-piston calipers.

All of the 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 sticker price for this Z15 GS Heritage Package should be released when full pricing is announced for 2010 Chevrolet Corvette lineup in the near future.

Incidentally, a quick check on some of the forums shows that people are generally pleased with the pricing of the new model. The new Corvette Grand Sport should have a good sell.

Corvette Grand Sport is back

The Grand Sport name last appeared on the Corvette in 1996, commemorating the end of the C4 era. Only 1,000 copies were built, all painted Admiral Blue. It also pays homage to five hand-built racing Corvettes from 1963 ordered up by chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov .Now, the Corvette Grand Sport is back!!

Set to roll in later this year as a 2010 model in both coupe and convertible bodystyles, the new Grand Sport combines the standard Corvette LS3-based powertrain with widebody styling and a race-bred suspension, and gives Corvette fans a new performance option between the standard model and sexy Z06.

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

The engine’s output has been kept at 430hp (321kW) and 424lb-ft (575Nm) of torque, however, an optional two-mode exhaust system boosts output to 436hp (325kW) and 428lb-ft (580Nm).

Grand Sport coupe models equipped with the manual transmission are outfitted for race track competition, too, with a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery. The manual transmission also comes with specific gear ratios, while automatic models get a modified rear axle ratio.

Specific modifications for the Grand Sport coupe and convertible include wider front and rear fenders with unique badging, a Z06-style front splitter and rear spoiler, new brake ducts, unique 18in wheels with 275mm tires up front and 19in units shod with 325mm rubber in the rear, Z06-spec brakes include 355mm rotors with six-piston calipers up front and 340mm rear rotors with four-piston calipers.

All of the 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.