Michelin OE 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray models

Michelin recently marked a milestone at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in January with the announcement that its tyres are – for the first time – the exclusive original equipment tyre on the complete range of 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray models.

The Corvette Stingray convertible will use the same chassis and the same tyres as the coupe, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP, an ultra-high performance tyre developed specifically for the Corvette through a relationship that began on the racetracks of the American Le Mans Series.

Being selected as the exclusive fitment on the Corvette Stingray marks a significant achievement for Michelin, after the tyre giant also gained fitments for the 2009 Corvette ZR1 and 2011 Corvette Z06.

“The Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP exemplifies Michelin’s commitment to innovation and our aim to bring the best performance characteristics together in every tyre we make,” said John Moloney, vice president of original equipment marketing at Michelin North America. “The proof is in the performance; owners of the 2014 Corvette Stingray will enjoy a tyre that is tuned specifically for their vehicle and delivers the road-handling, grip, cornering ability and progressive feel they expect – on the track or touring top-down through the countryside.”

Michelin worked closely with the Corvette vehicle development team to design and engineer a tyre that matches the vehicle performance. During the vehicle development process, Michelin spent more than 12,000 hours in tyre design using state-of-the-art computer modelling and completed thousands of miles of subjective test driving. Harnessing its full arsenal of experience and technology, the Company developed two Pilot Super Sport ZP tyres unique to the Corvette Stingray, one for the standard coupe and convertible and another for either bodystyle with the Z51 Performance Package.

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP summer tyre technical advancements include:

• Michelin’s most innovative ultra-high performance technology, including advances in the tread compound adapted for improved levels of both dry and wet grip.
• Footprint shape designed by sophisticated computer modelling and analytic tools traditionally used to predict the stresses occurring in race tyres. This is the first time these tools have been used to achieve higher performance in a road tyre.
• A new, advanced Aramid cap ply specially tuned for optimum contact patch control for high speed and high performance handling and wear life.
• A new specially adapted internal rubber compound to reduce rolling resistance and maximise overall vehicle fuel economy without compromising other performance areas.
• Asymmetric run-flat inserts and carcass configuration that are designed to broaden and emphasise tyre performance by focussing individual functions to the appropriate sidewall.

“When given the opportunity to develop a tyre for the breakthrough next-generation Corvette, we knew we had to bring the best technology Michelin had to offer,” said Lee Willard, lead Michelin technical engineer for the Corvette project. “The Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP represents a significant advancement in what is possible for an ultra-high performance tyre.”

The Z51 Performance Package takes the Corvette Stingray to a more aggressive level of performance, enhanced by Michelin’s additional tuning and development compared to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP found on the standard Corvette Stingray. With two versions of the Pilot Super Sport ZP, Michelin has enhanced the driving dynamics and performance of both versions of the car.

The Pilot Super Sport ZP fitted as original equipment for the Z51 Performance Package is aggressively tuned to provide outstanding handling and grip and road-holding capability. The design was derived from a combination of technologies found on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup ZP tyre that helped the 2012 Corvette ZR1 post a 7:19.6 Nürburgring lap time, and from the significant gains made during the development of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyre.

The Pilot Super Sport ZP also features the next-generation of race-developed tread compounds found in the record-setting Pilot Sport Cup ZP of the C6 ZR1 and Z06. Unlike the Michelin tyres fitted to the standard 2014 Corvette Stingray, the Z51 tyre features a custom dual-tread compound and pattern that achieves near-racing-slick grip and handling levels, while providing longer tread life and wet handling capabilities.

Like the tyres found on the standard Corvette Stingray, advanced computer-modelling techniques used to design American Le Mans Series racing slicks were applied to the Z51 Performance Package tyres. The process resulted in tyre structure and contact patches optimised specifically for racetrack-critical tyre performance levels.