Chevrolet Corvette C7 Grand Sport / Ford Mustang GT S550

The Chevrolet Corvette C7 Grand Sport makes 466 horsepower and costs $67,000. The Ford Mustang GT S550 makes 435 horsepower and costs $47,500—a $19,500 price gap (41% more expensive for the Corvette) for 31hp more power. Across 43 shared tracks with 634 unique comparison scenarios, the Corvette wins by 3.44 seconds overall, and when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the Corvette wins 87.2% of battles with a 4.70-second average gap.

This is Chevrolet's track-focused Grand Sport versus Ford's S550 Mustang GT (2015-2023). The Grand Sport weighs 3,464 lbs. The Mustang weighs 3,705 lbs—241 pounds heavier. The Grand Sport costs $67,000 versus the Mustang's $47,500. Both offer naturally aspirated V8 performance and track capability, but the Corvette's mid-engine-like front-mid-engine layout (behind front axle) and wider tires create an 87.2% win rate that justifies the $19,500 premium.

The 31-Horsepower Gap and Chassis Advantage

The Grand Sport's LT1 6.2L V8 makes 466hp at 6,000 rpm and 630 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm (note: database shows 630.46 lb-ft, likely with optional performance exhaust). Power-to-weight: 7.43 lbs/hp. The Mustang GT's 5.0L Coyote V8 makes 435hp at 6,500 rpm and 400 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm. Power-to-weight: 8.52 lbs/hp—a 13% disadvantage.

The Grand Sport's advantage isn't just 31hp—it's 230 lb-ft more torque and superior chassis. The Grand Sport runs 285mm front and 335mm rear tires on widebody fenders versus the Mustang's 255mm front and 275mm rear. The Grand Sport's front-mid-engine layout (engine behind front axle) creates 50/50 weight distribution versus the Mustang's nose-heavy 53/47 split.

What the Filtered Data Reveals

• Matched mod + matched tire (47 laps): Grand Sport wins 87.2%, Mustang wins 12.8%, 4.70s gap. When both run equal preparation and tires, the Corvette's chassis and power advantages are overwhelming. The Mustang wins only 12.8% of battles—proof that the Grand Sport's engineering superiority is measurable.
• Matched mod, mismatched tire (165 laps): Grand Sport wins 88.5% with 6.12s gap. The tire mismatch scenarios often show the Corvette on R-compounds (TW40) versus Mustang on street tires (TW200), expanding the gap further.
• Light Corvette vs race Mustang, TW200/40 (21 laps): Mustang wins 81.0% with 5.56s gap. When the Mustang runs race-level modifications with R-compounds against a lightly-modified Corvette on street tires, the tables flip entirely. A supercharged Mustang GT (650-700hp) on slicks defeats a bolt-on Grand Sport.

The $19,500 Price Gap and Modification Potential

Mustang GT S550: $47,500 buys the Coyote 5.0L's 435hp, independent rear suspension (2018+), and strong aftermarket. The Coyote's modification ceiling is high: supercharger ($7,000-9,000) + supporting mods ($3,000) = 650-700hp. The Mustang can reach Grand Sport power levels for $10,000-12,000, but it can't replicate the Corvette's wider tires and weight distribution without chassis surgery.

Grand Sport: $67,000 buys the LT1's 466hp, widebody fenders with 335mm rear tires, Z06-derived aero, and Magnetic Ride Control. The LT1's naturally aspirated ceiling reaches 500-520hp with headers ($2,500), exhaust ($2,000), intake ($800), and tune ($1,000)—adding 40-60hp for $6,300. To reach 650hp requires supercharging ($8,000-12,000), matching the Mustang's forced induction potential.

The $19,500 premium buys a car that wins 87.2% of matched battles and depreciates slower. Grand Sport values held steady at $67,000 from 2019-2024 while Mustang GT S550 dropped from $52,000 to $47,500 (9% depreciation).

The Verdict

Choose the Ford Mustang GT S550 if you want naturally aspirated V8 performance at $47,500, accept losing 87.2% of matched battles, and plan to add forced induction. The Coyote 5.0L's supercharger potential reaches 650-700hp, transforming the fight entirely—but stock-vs-stock, the Mustang loses nearly 9 out of 10 battles.

Choose the Chevrolet Corvette C7 Grand Sport if you have $67,000 to spend and want the car that wins 87.2% of matched battles. You're paying $19,500 more (41% premium) for 31hp more power, 230 lb-ft more torque, widebody tires, and a chassis advantage the Mustang can't replicate through modification. The Grand Sport is the choice for drivers who value track dominance and don't need rear seats.

LapMeta's 3.44-second overall gap and 4.70-second matched-condition gap show the Grand Sport's superiority when both are stock or equally prepared. The Mustang's 241-pound weight disadvantage and narrower tires can't overcome the Grand Sport's 31hp, 230 lb-ft torque advantage, and superior weight distribution. For the driver who wants American V8 performance at the best price, the Mustang delivers. For the driver who wants the car that wins nearly 9 out of 10 battles, the Grand Sport's $19,500 premium buys measurable superiority.