Test drive Chevrolet Corvette Gran Sport: a living classic

An unusual story about an exceptional car

In the following lines, we will tell you a bit of the story of a turbulent and still unquenchable emotional relationship. Hockenheimring and auto motor und sport are an ingenious union of two institutions aimed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of automotive innovation. Unfortunately, recently our meetings have become less frequent, because various trainings and events are often held at the hippodrome. And yet the track management has always shown us impeccable flexibility and understanding - when we really need it, there was always a gap.

Now, in winter, these gaps are occurring in an unusual quantity and quality, as competition planning in dry runway conditions depends on too many variables. As a result, the editors decided to take the Corvette Grand Sport to the track and make a photo shoot - preferably at dusk, and then in the dark. “Well, with pleasure,” replied Hockenheim, “today, as an exception, we will leave a little earlier, but we will leave you the key.” When you're done, draw your conclusion. We decided that it’s better not to ask a second time, but to get to work ...

So the "Admiral Blue" and "Sport Sport Heritage" and "Racing" badges (thin red and thick white stripes on the body), dotted with additional sets of stickers (Corvette), left the editorial garage in Stuttgart, and the A 81 and A 6 went to the area. city in Baden-Württemberg. The 97 hectares of the Hockenheimring take up only 2,8% of the city's cadastral plan, but their influence on the popularity and activity of the local municipality and the economy is many times greater.

They say that most cars here love only asparagus, which once replaced tobacco and, in turn, gave way to hop production. What does this mean for the development of motorsport in Hockenheim? I have no idea ... The main thing is that an envelope with the promised master key for the entire object is waiting for us on the portal. Before us in a blood-red color under the rays of the setting sun shines an asphalt tape 4574 meters long. It's time to add some fresh drama to the relationship between AMS and Hockenheimring ...

Holy grail of thrust

Our faithful assistant in this endeavor is the latest interpretation of the Corvette theme. It has a nice 6,2-litre naturally aspirated V8 from the LT1 family that's as pretty as a Canadian lumberjack, paired with a suspension that's usually primed to handle the load of the Z06 with its compressor machine. This combo sounds like the Holy Grail of traction – especially since the test car is fitted with a custom aero package and Michelin Cup track tires (part of the optional Z07 package with ceramic brake discs). In numerical terms, Grand Sport means 466 instead of 659 hp. and 630 instead of 881 Nm. I confess that at some point a fear crept into me, whether the TT data of the atmospheric unit are not too modest for today's times of total compulsion to fill. Complete nonsense, of course! Even on the track, when Mr. LT1 broke the 6000 rpm limit with ease and peppy rhythm (he does it terribly fast, but does not like to go higher), it became clear that the Grand Sport carbon spoiler was cutting off the atmospheric layer. the ease with which a professional angle grinder can handle salt.

It would be not only inappropriate to talk about picking up speed here, but also downright insulting. 4,4 from 0 to 100 and 14,8 seconds from 0 to 200 km / h are achievements that most ATVs on the planet can only dream of. And let's not forget that in this case it is an atmospheric element with a compression ratio of 11,5: 1, the thrust of which the pilot must distribute manually using a seven-speed transmission. Due to the lubricity of the engine, the latter has a somewhat stubborn nature, but by applying the appropriate pressure, one can always find a way to adjust the next stage.

Now that the Corvette has turned a little off the Hockenheimring roundabout and headed towards the grandstand. Mercedes third gear enters like butter, and after turning right, fourth quickly follows. The brakes then return to second and the electronics order the intermediate throttle - just in case the pilot had previously requested it by pulling the plate on the steering wheel. The Michelin halves included in the aforementioned Z07 package were downloaded right after the performance test in a warm autumn and have been in the editorial garage ever since. Believe me - no one wants to experience the combination of such a car and such tires on cold (and then, maybe, wet) pavement. The clutch wanted to say goodbye to me in a sharp left lane, even with the currently installed winter tires, but the rear axle, controlled by an electronic differential lock, stopped it in time. Power and traction. Wow! My confidence in this car is growing. Believe me, excellent ergonomics and competition seats inspire from the first place behind the wheel.

Trust issue

But you can never take a relationship with a car like the Corvette Grand Sport for granted - even if you notice that the chosen chassis setup contributes to a positive steering wheel feel. The darkness gradually descends onto the path, and for the last time I see before me a short red sky with a picturesque silhouette of the bell tower of St. George's Church in Hockenheim.

Rarely does the drama of mechanical fireworks break the silence of the passing day - something unusual here, where the pros fight hundreds of seconds per lap time and millimeters ahead of their competitors when crossing the finish line. But today there is no competition. Just the Corvette and the runway. Only for us. No AMS test equipment and no track maintenance workers in Hockenheim. And yet it is difficult - just like that, without restraint, even ruthlessly, to push a sports car onto the track. At the same time, pieces of rear tires with a width of 335 mm begin to fly, having previously formed a smokescreen in front of the stands of the Sachs turn. Until the deep, first vibrating, then thunderous, and finally the angry roar of the engine was imprinted deep in his mind. Incredible in its richness and influence, a spectrum that only a large V8 animal like this can surely possess.

Suddenly it became quiet, and I realized how great the silence surpassed the euphoria and flutter of a rapid pulse. But is it worth it to overdo it with calmness? The trick here is to mix the pleasure of both. You are lost in thought for a moment, listening to the soft crackle of cooling metal in the alley of boxes. Short pause. The key to the Corvette is also in the right pocket of his pants. On the left is the key to the Hockenheim track. God, it's not true! However, I am hungry. Should I rush to my favorite Mongolian restaurant in the neighboring industrial area? No, not tonight. Now I will take advantage of every moment alone with the Corvette on the track. I'm going to eat some cold ravioli from a jar or my stomach will scratch. Silence and collapse. Is such a combination possible?

Canned food and strange sensations

Yes it is possible. I finished with jerky and leave again. We're heating up. Then I boldly hold the throttle from Zenke all the way down the start-finish line and enjoy the feeling that I'm steering the rear axle in the right direction, as if ... well, yes, in fact, with light pressure on the buttocks. I enjoy the feel of a 466 hp two-valve automatic. it smells unmistakably and immediately and unconditionally responds to my every desire for greater power, while carefully containing its emissions and never exploding uncontrollably.

Then I just relax. I go down a long straight, make a gentle north turn, pass a short section on the right fork, and only after the right Ecclestone again push my friend LT1 to accelerate together on a parabolic. The jump from fourth to fifth seems oddly long - I was impressed upon arrival, but it seems to remain one of the model's two purely cosmetic flaws. Secondly, the low Grand Sport body with spoiler trim confuses the sensors and stops the brushes of most automatic car washes. But that's not his TV's fault. What this Corvette variant can safely be blamed for is its ability to focus even more on the sporty character of the Stingray. Of course, the colors of war on the body of the Grand Sport have a minimal contribution in this regard. Much credit goes to the even faster steering response and even more impressive high-load stability, which is achieved without completely abandoning the idea of driving comfort.

Without a doubt, the Grand Sport is one of the rare representatives of this endangered species, which gives you the opportunity to crush the style of competition on the track, and then leave it in good conscience and go home calmly and rested on your own. At the same time, the naturally aspirated V8 fills you with plenty of torque that you can use as you see fit and desire before reaching for the shifter again.

During this time, the adaptive dampers cope with most types of road bumps with tough but not ruthless behavior. In fact, even the bassists of an eight-cylinder orchestra don't go too far with decibels. This Corvette wraps tightly but leaves no bruises or blisters on body or soul. He keeps you close to him, but he doesn't hold your breath. And even if you're brave enough to turn off the behavior control electronics, you only get one in the neck when you really deserve it. For example, if you have not warmed up properly, but first of all you want to pretend to be a man with the naive belief that you can stop as late as possible. Carbon fiber-reinforced ceramic rims are as thermophilic as tires, of course. Problems await those for whom insane speed is not enough, and control reflexes are still in the pre-embryonic stage. They will definitely get a slap in the face.

For all fans of common sense, it is better to leave the multi-level traction control system with excellent settings. This keeps the Grand Sport hot enough to warm the cold winter asphalt of the track and rekindle the emotional connection between the car engine and sport and the Hockenheimring. I finally locked myself behind me, as promised. I take a few steps and suddenly feel a question arising somewhere deep inside me. Should I return these keys?

Text: Jens Drale

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert