[VIDEO] Corvette Team Presentation from Corvettes at Carlisle 2026

Sep 1, 2026

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[VIDEO] Corvette Team Presentation from Corvettes at Carlisle 2026

Photo Credit: Keith Cornett

One of the highlights of any Corvettes at Carlisle show is that the GM engineers who design and build our Corvettes are on-site to discuss the latest updates to the C8 while also taking the time to answer our questions.

For the 2026 show, Corvette Vehicle Chief Engineer Josh Holder and Corvette Product Marketing Manager Austin Fisher took two 2027 Corvette Grand Sport Xs to the Grandstands where they spoke at length about the latest Corvettes to enter the marketplace, as well as the new LS6 V8 engine that powers the Grand Sports and the new Stingray.

Josh kicks things off with some additional updates on the ZR1 and the ZR1X which recently broke the Pikes Peak Hillclimb record. After that quick intro, Josh says 2027 was all about refreshing the heart of the Corvette line-up and the biggest part of that driving experience is the engine. That’s where the new LS6 comes into play. Since 1955, the Corvette has had a Chevrolet V8 for its power and the LS6 represents the 6th generation of the small block V8 engine.

After acknowledging the new LS6, Josh takes us through the highlights of the new 409 cubic engine, as well as some of the old hotrodder tricks used to generate the 535-hp and 520 lb-feet of torque, which is the most torque of any naturally aspirated V8 ever.

[VIDEO] Corvette Team Presentation from 2026 Corvettes at Carlisle 2026

Corvette Vehicle Chief Engineer Josh Holder (L) and Corvette Product Marketing Manager Austin Fisher (R)

The Grand Sport X is also discussed, and it features both the new LS6 and the front-electric motor from the ZR1X that offers 186-hp for a total of 721-hp combined. The GSX goes 0-60 in 2.4 seconds and runs the quarter mile in 10.4 seconds.

The Grand Sport is also the most customizable Corvette in the C8 lineup with a number of ways the owners can customize their looks either with the various stripes and hashmark packages. Austin jumps in here to run us through some of those updates. The Grand Sport is also the first C8 with three distinct chassis configurations that includes the Base, Sport, and Track packages.

Q & A about Air Deflectors

During the Question and Answer session, we stepped up to ask the first question which was “Why they are adding the air deflectors under the Grand Sport” (and Stingray) and it wasn’t the answer we expected.

Josh gives us the back story on the air deflectors, which help to route cooler air from under the car up into the engine bay to cool the Gas Particulate Filters (GPFs). The air deflectors are on the export models only to meet local emissions regulations.

It turns out that the redesign of the LS6’s Tri-Y exhaust manifold is different enough from the LT2’s design that there are parts, mainly spark plug wires, that can get hot with track driving. They added the air deflectors to keep those spark plug wires cooler.

Josh says your LT2 Corvettes (or any of the higher performance C8s in the line up) can be equipped with them “if that makes you happy,” but again he reiterates that only the LS6 needs them.

Check out the full presentation below and thanks again to Josh and Austin for the info!