![[VIDEO] Corvette Team Answers Customer Questions: Grand Sport X vs Z06 at the Track](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2026/09/091826_2.jpg)
The arrival of the new 2027 Grand Sport X flips the traditional Grand Sport script by being more powerful than the C8 Z06. So many people are fixated on the total horsepower numbers versus what is the car’s stated purpose, and we have seen this question arise many times as customers grabble with which car best fits their use.
On one hand, the Grand Sport X has 721 combined horsepower which is greater than the 670-hp in the Z06. Plus, it’s 520 lb-ft of torque becomes readily apparent almost from the get-go versus that of the Z06 in which you have to wind up the high-revving Z06’s 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 for it to really kick in.
The GSX also has a number of improved modes for the track that takes advantage of its hybrid AWD system. These include Endurance Mode (for prioritizing longer sessions), Qualifying Mode (all the energy for the fastest lap time), and Push-to-Pass (maximum power output for overtaking). While those features sound like Chevy wants you to track the GSX, what the car is missing is a real factory track performance configuration as its only performance package swaps out the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S all-season tires for the PS4 summer tires.
Meanwhile, the Z06’s naturally aspirated 5.5-Liter V8 is Chevrolet’s purpose-built track weapon that was made for putting down fast laps at the track. It can be ordered with all the components needed for great times including the carbon aero package, Z07 racing suspension, Michelin Cup 2 R tires, and Brembo’s carbon ceramic brakes. It’s lighter than the Grand Sport X and seasoned drivers racing on the Michelin Cup 2 R tires will have a distinct advantage against other cars.
And that leads us to this question asked and answered by members of the GM’s Corvette Team at the NCM’s 32nd Annual Celebration.
The seminar was held on Saturday morning as Executive Chief Engineer Tony Roma and Vehicle Chief Engineer Josh Holder shared all the latest news and updates for the Corvette team. Following their planned discussion, the floor was opened to questions.
One question that came up had to do with the Grand Sport X vs the Z06 on the track, and the customer asked “everything being the same (same driver, same track) which car would do better?
Tony answered first an alluded to the AWD Grand Sport X being a great choice for the less experienced driver as it feels really planted with the All-Wheel Drive system. The Z06 is a little looser, more nimble, and it’s lighter. Tony says for the more experienced driver, the Z06 is the car for the track that will grow your experience even more.
Josh returns to the question and says it depends on the driver and the track:
“For a typical two plus-ish mile road course with a skilled driver, I’d bet the Z06, especially a cup-tired Z06. A tighter track with maybe a driver with less skill…just getting used to the dynamics of a mid engine Corvette, the all-wheel drive system might shine for them because it’s a little more confident and inspiring. Like Tony said, you can use that power to dig out a corner and we’ve said this often, sometimes it even rewards bad behavior. There’s certainly stuff you wouldn’t want to do in a rear drive car. So it really does depend on the driver and the mission, but a skilled driver, track focus, the track focused car wins out. That’s the Z06.”
You can see the question and answer from the Q&A Session below:
Source:
Photo and Video by Keith Cornett
Related:
[POLL] Now That We Know More, Which C8 Corvette Grand Sport Are You Picking?
[VIDEO] 2027 Grand Sport and Grand Sport X Driving Reviews are Now Out!
[VIDEO] Corvette Team Presentation from Corvettes at Carlisle 2026
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![[PODCAST] Corvette Today #342: A Preview Of This Year's Muscle Cars & Corvette Nationals Show](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/uploads/2026/11/110226_5-218x150.jpg "[PODCAST] Corvette Today #342: A Preview of the 2026 Muscle Cars & Corvette Nationals Show")
Thanks for making The GSX faster than the ZO6, you could have made it less hp . ZR1X , ZR1, ZO6, then the GSX ! Now you ruined The ZO6 resale and it’s not special any more !
The LT6 engine makes a Z06 special.
1. It’s “grapple” not “grabble”
2. Combined torque is 665. Even the ER’s combined torque was 595–far higher than 520 listed (LS6 only power) or the LT6’s 460.
Anyone swayed by the GSX having more power–is truly a low-IQ buyer. ER was already outperforming the Z06 everywhere but long straights on track; even more if given Cup 2’s. Z06 is up a meager 15hp and down a colossal 135 torque vs the ER. It’s now down 51hp and down 205 torque vs. the GSX.
Z06 was already getting spanked. It’s now getting beaten mercilessly. Nothing new. And the Z06 isn’t selling because it’s faster and more powerful; let’s just bury that myth here and now.
Such bickering?
Two cars with two different ways to do the job. Get over the mines better crap.
Which one depreciates the most?
Perhaps the reason that GSX is not offered with a CUP2 tire option is so that it doesn’t holistically beat Z06 noisemakers. E-Ray and GSX are already better every-day street cars. Significantly more range between fillups and distracting engine rev’ing isn’t necessary to move forward a few feet in stop and go traffic. You might say that they have both performance and sophistication.
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