For the first time, Michelin tires are the exclusive original equipment tire on the complete line-up of 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray models.
All the Stingrays will come equipped with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP tire, an ultra-high performance tire that was co-developed by Michelin and Corvette through a relationship that began on the racetracks of the American Le Mans Series.
Michelin made the announcement at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The show will run from Jan. 14 through the 27 at Cobo Hall.
“Owners of the 2014 Corvette Stingray will enjoy a tire that is tuned specifically for their vehicle and delivers the road-handling, grip, cornering ability and progressivity of drive they expect,” said John Moloney, vice president of original equipment marketing at Michelin North America Inc.
During the vehicle development process, Michelin spent more than 12,000 hours designing the tire using state-of-the-art computer tire modeling. Engineers also completed thousands of miles of subjective test driving.
There are two Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP tires unique to the Corvette Stingray: one for the standard car and another for the Corvette Stingray with the Z51 Performance Package. The design for the Z51 Performance Package was derived from a combination of technologies found on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup ZP tire that helped the 2012 Corvette ZR1 post a 7:19.6 Nürburgring lap time and from the significant gains from the development of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire.
Advanced computer-modeling techniques used to design American Le Mans Series racing slicks were applied to the Z51 Performance Package tires. The process resulted in tire structure and contact patches optimized specifically for racetrack-critical tire performances.
The Pilot Super Sport ZP summer tire is manufactured in Greenville, S.C. It features the following technical advancements:
* Michelin’s most innovative ultra-high performance technology, including advances in the tread compound adapted for improved levels of both dry and wet grip.
* a footprint shape designed by sophisticated computer modeling and analytic tools traditionally used to predict the stresses occurring in racing tires. This is the first time these tools have been used to achieve higher performance in a street tire.
* a new, advanced Aramid cap ply specially tuned for optimum contact patch control for high speed and high performance tire handling and wear life.
* a new specially adapted internal rubber compound to reduce rolling resistance and maximize overall vehicle fuel economy without compromising other performances.
* asymmetric run-flat inserts and carcass configuration, designed to broaden and emphasize a range of tire performances by focusing distinct functions to the appropriate sidewall.
The Michelin brand is no stranger to the Corvette. It was selected as an OE tire for the 2009 Corvette ZR1 and 2011 Corvette Z06.
