Successful in US - avaiable in Europe from spring 2011: the Camaro (Image: Chevrolet)

According to John Fitzpatrick, Chevrolet Camaro marketing manager, the success can be attributed to the Camaro’s appeal to both loyal fans, and those new to the brand. “When the new Camaro went on sale, it was predominantly bought by Chevrolet owners, or Camaro enthusiasts who already owned a previous-generation. Today, about half of 2010 Camaro buyers are new to Chevrolet,” said Fitzpatrick.

Camaro sales outside the U.S. are expected to grow significantly, as Chevrolet increases production to accommodate exports for Chevrolet’s biggest markets, including Brazil, China, Russia, South Korea. In Europe, the Camaro coupe and convertible will be added to the Chevrolet product line-up in spring 2011.

Heading for Europe: the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (Image: Chevrolet)

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (Image: Chevrolet)

The new Grand Sport combines the Corvette’s LS3-based powertrain with wide-body styling, a wider track and a racing-bred suspension for a distinctive model that delivers a great balance of road and race track performance. It is offered with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The LS3 6.2L engine is rated at 436 horsepower (321 kW) and 575 Nm of torque with the standard exhaust system.

The Grand Sport brings an even greater degree of handling performance, with wider wheels and tires; revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications; and specific gearing. A combination of 0-100 km performance of four seconds, skid pad adhesion of 1 g and an estimated extra-urban fuel consumption of only 9.2 l/100 km makes it a very well-rounded sports car.

Grand Sport coupe models equipped with the manual transmission are uniquely outfitted for race track competition, too, with a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery.

Interior of the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (Image: Chevrolet)

The LS3 6.2L engine is rated at 436 horsepower (321 kW) and 575 Nm of torque. (Image: Chevrolet)

The complete list of content and special features for the Grand Sport includes:

• Wider front and rear fenders – including specific front fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges
• Z06-style front splitter and tall rear spoiler
• Functional brake ducts and extra cooling
• Unique 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels; painted finish standard and chrome finish optional
• Large 275/35ZR18 tires in front and 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
• Z06-size brakes, including 355 mm front rotors with six-piston calipers and 340 mm rear rotors with four-piston calipers
• Specific manual transmission gear ratios
• Specific rear axle ratio on automatic-equipped models

With its special equipment, the Grand Sport offers a unique blend of performance and amenities. Its suspension package approaches that of the Z06, but includes a removable roof on coupes (Z06 has a fixed roof) and, of course, the availability of a convertible body style. Also, the paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission is offered, while a manual transmission is the only choice with the Z06.

All of Corvette’s exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport, and an available Heritage package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The Grand Sport can be ordered with four different trim  packages, too.

Grand Sport history

Envisioned by legendary Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov as a factory-built, lightweight and race-ready production model that would trump domestic and foreign road-racing competitors, the original Corvette Grand Sport was a promising idea that led to the production of five special prototypes in 1963. The project was later shelved, following GM’s decision to stay out of manufacturer-backed motorsports.

The five prototypes were based on the styling of the 1963 Corvette and were hand-assembled under Duntov’s watchful eye. But while they looked like production models, the prototypes were purpose-built race cars that shared little with their assembly line cousins. Duntov also oversaw the Grand Sport engine program that featured a special, 377-cubic-inch small-block V-8 with side-draft carburetors.

Although never officially sanctioned by General Motors, the five Grand Sport prototypes saw extensive racing experience throughout the 1960s in the hands of “private” racers who had strong contacts within Duntov’s engineering circle. All five original cars are accounted for today and are among the most valuable in the collector market.

Chevrolet offered a limited-edition Grand Sport production model in 1996, commemorating the original racing cars and marking the end of the C4 era in Corvette production. All of the 1,000 units were painted Admiral Blue and featured a white center stripe and red “hash mark” graphics on the left front fender, a graphic scheme that mimicked the look of some of the original race cars.