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A larger-displacement V8 will be shoehorned into the updated Chevrolet Corvette, but Australia might miss out on this 6.7-litre, mid-engine monster.
Chevrolet has revealed updates to its 2027 Corvette range, including the return of the Grand Sport variant, and a Grand Sport X to replace the E-Ray hybrid, sharing a new 6.7-litre V8 engine.
But it remains unclear if it will arrive in Australia, where it may have an even harder time meeting Australia's tough new-vehicle emissions rules, which slug ever 6.2-litre Corvette Stingray sold with more than $17,000 emissions fines.
Key among the changes to the new Corvette is the replacement of the 6.2-litre petrol V8 in the Stingray for a larger 6.7-litre ‘LS6’ engine, which also powers the Grand Sport and Grand Sport X variants.
The new engine – at least in the two new Corvette grades – produces 399kW/705Nm, and is paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
This compares to the old 6.2-litre ‘LT2’ V8’s 369kW/637Nm output in Australia, Chevrolet saying the LS6 is “the most powerful standard engine ever offered” on the model line.
With a bump in power and torque, however, it is expected the new Corvette will also be thirstier and emit more carbon dioxide, which would push the V8 sports car further into the red under Australia's new-vehicle emissions rules.
Last year, every Corvette Stingray coupe sold saw GMSV hit with the equivalent of $17,200 in government fines – a cost that will need to be offset by the sale of electric Cadillacs or, likely, passed onto the consumer.
It is expected that a version of the 6.7-litre engine compatible with Euro 6d emissions rules would need to be developed so it can be sold in Australia in the long term, a cost that could be shared with European examples.
When asked directly about whether the Corvette update will make it Down Under, a General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) spokesperson declined to comment.
“At this time, we have no announcements to make on future models for the ANZ [Australia and New Zealand] region,” the spokesperson said.
Chevrolet is yet to detail fuel economy and acceleration times on the Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X, but both feature increased specification to take them above the Stingray and E-Ray, respectively.
The 2027 Corvette Grand Sport remains rear-wheel drive, but gains Magnetic Ride Control adaptive dampers, ‘touring’ suspension, and all-season Michelin Pilot Sport tyres as standard.
A centre-exit exhaust option is also available on the Grand Sport.
Buyers can also add the Z52 Sport Performance Package or Z52 Track Performance Package – the former bundling the Corvette Z06’s brakes, performance summer tyres, and stiffer suspension, while the latter features carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fibre exterior highlights, and track tyres.
Meanwhile, the Corvette Grand Sport X adds a front-axle-driving electric motor from the E-Ray for all-wheel-drive grip, and takes the powertrain’s combined output to 538kW – a 50kW bump over its predecessor.
Drivers are able to choose between three drive modes to preserve or use the power on tap from the small-capacity battery, which can be used in Stealth Mode to propel the Grand Sport X in electric-only mode for short periods of time.
Standard on the Grand Sport X are carbon-ceramic brakes and all-season tyres, but buyers can opt for a Performance Package for more track-focused rubber.
To differentiate the new Grand Sport lines from the standard Corvette, Chevrolet has added ‘hash marks’ to the rear fenders as a homage to the original version from 1963.
The rear wheel-arch stickers, as well as an optional centre stripe, are available in a variety of colours.
Chevrolet has also added the Admiral Blue Metallic heritage colour, as well as Pitch Grey Metallic, to the available exterior hues of the 2027 Corvette range.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
