[VIDEO] Paragon Track Tests the Corvette Grand Sport and GSX on Equal Footing

Oct 23, 2026

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[VIDEO] Paragon Track Tests the Corvette Grand Sport and GSX on Equal Footing

Which is quicker around a road course, the new 2027 Corvette Grand Sport or the hybrid Grand Sport X? Our friends at Paragon Performance wanted to find out, but with one important condition: Give both cars the same equipment and let the lap times do the talking.

Korey says the problem with comparisons so far is that a track-equipped Grand Sport has been going up against a touring-spec GSX. Tires, aero, and even the choice of a coupe versus a convertible can all influence the outcome. For this outing at Putnam Park, Paragon matched the cars’ tires, brakes, wheels, suspension, alignment, and aero to get a better look at what the hybrid system brings to the party.

Handling the driving duties was Aaron from Winning Formula, an experienced racer who also owns a C8 Stingray and races Paragon’s car. With both Corvettes on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, he turned back-to-back laps of 1:13.87 and 1:13.88 in the Grand Sport. The Grand Sport X followed with a 1:12.8 despite traffic interrupting his session. That’s about a second quicker on the same tires, and Aaron said the lap came easier in the X.

Just as interesting was his take on the hybrid’s handling. Aaron didn’t feel like the GSX’s additional weight made it a larger or more cumbersome car. Instead, he liked the subtle braking effect from the front motor’s regeneration in Charge+ mode, describing it as a “little ghost trail braker” that helped settle the nose into a corner. The rear end still delivered the familiar Corvette feel when accelerating out.

Paragon then fitted the GSX with fresh Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires and sent Aaron back out with a faster run group. The result was a 1:10.6, more than two seconds quicker than his GSX lap on the 4S tires. That run shows what the stickier rubber added, although it is a separate result from the matching-tire comparison.

Aaron felt that put the GSX in the same ballpark as a Z06 with the Z07 package at Putnam Park, based on his previous experience. There wasn’t a matching Z06 test to settle that question, and he acknowledged that battery management and track layout could affect the comparison.

For this outing, though, the Grand Sport X came out ahead when both cars started on equal footing. Give it the stickier tires and the gap grows again. If you’ve been looking at the GSX as more of a touring Corvette, this is a good reminder that it has plenty to offer when the road turns into a racetrack.

Watch Korey and Aaron break down the test in the full video from Paragon Performance: