Bigger wheels?

[JLemke]

Is it just me or does the c8 look like it may need bigger wheels for proper look?

[John]

The 2020 ME’s wheel and tire size is the only known C8 actual measurement.





Looking at other comparable equivalent brands and their tire/wheel sizes.

NOTE:Every 2019 Corvette, regardless of “entry” or ZR1, runs 19” F/20” R wheel:

Tire Size /Wheel Diameter for Common ME’s (F/R)

Audi R8: 235/35/R19; 295/30/R19

Audi R8/V10: 245/35/R19; 295/30/R19 [Opt. R = 305/30R20]

Ferrari 488 GTB: 245/35R20; 305R30/R20

Ford GT: 245/35/R20; 325/30/R20

Lambo Huracan: 245/30/R20; 305/30/R20

McLaren 570: 225/35/R19; 285/35/R20

McLaren 650: 235/35/R19; 305/30/R19

McLaren 720: 245/35/R19; 305/30/R20

Porsche GT3: 245/35/R20; 305/30/R20

Porsche 911S: 245/35/R20; 305/30/R20

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...ire-generation

[meyerweb]

I hope GM doesn't feel the need to go even bigger (larger diameter). Just adds unsprung weight and more rotating mass, neither of which does anything good for performance. And ever shorter sidewalls are little more than a styling exercise. Slightly taller tires work better, on the road and on the track.

[JLemke]

Good to know. Just trying to figure out why they appear smaller than they should be.

[Ronstar]

I think the wheels sizes are the same or very similar to the cars you are comparing to the C8. I think the difference in appearance is actually the size of the wheel opening in relation to the quarter panel. The C8 seems to have more area above the wheel opening making the wheels appear smaller in comparison to the body of the car. Some of this could be the camo “flattening”out the body lines on the quarters

[JB]

Body cladding to disguise the production vehicle may create the perspective that the wheels and tires are too small ..the final production showcase should show the tires and wheels are of the correct size for the final bodywork.

[meyerweb]

The Corvette, I think, also tends to ride higher than many of the foreign exotics. The difference between a car that can be a daily driver, and deal with driveway aprons, speed bumps, etc., and exotic cars that get driven only rarely.

[John]

The 2020 ME looks to have, as one CAD showed, the capability for an optional front axle lift system (FALS) and thus be able to be positioned lower. Or maybe, that would be a revised setting at the factory for those equipped with FALS, or during the PDI process for those with it to have their coil over shocks set/re-set at a lower height, e.g., moving toward slammed.

What fun it would be for the ME, with or without FALS, to still be able to be easily heighten adjusted with its coilovers. Happy times ahead!

[JB]

The Corvette, I think, also tends to ride higher than many of the foreign exotics. The difference between a car that can be a daily driver, and deal with driveway aprons, speed bumps, etc., and exotic cars that get driven only rarely.

I believe porsche 911s tend to have very tight wheel gaps and make very good daily drivers.

ive always thought some of GM testing procedures prior to production includes snow chains or something like that and thats why the wheel gap is larger than vehicles like porsche.

[Racer86]

I hope GM doesn't feel the need to go even bigger (larger diameter). Just adds unsprung weight and more rotating mass, neither of which does anything good for performance. And ever shorter sidewalls are little more than a styling exercise. Slightly taller tires work better, on the road and on the track.

Agree, shorter sidewall tires on the street can degrade the ride comfort. A tire is a spring. Drop a flat tire on its edge from a 6 foot ladder and it doesn’t bounce. Fill the tire with air and drop it from the ladder and it does bounce. The tire adds to the spring rate of the suspension. The suspension must be tuned for this effect. This is one of the reasons tire pressure can be used to help balance the car. A low profile tire has by nature, a very stiff sidewall. My opinion for the street is a 40 series tire seems to be a balance of comfort and control.
Also, the larger rim sizes are used on race cars to allow for a larger brake rotor. I see guys with 20-22 inch rims and 12 inch rotors. Looks dumb and increases the stopping distance.

[meyerweb]

Also, the larger rim sizes are used on race cars to allow for a larger brake rotor.

True, but even on race cars there are limits. I don't see anyone racing on dubs with 19" diameter disks and 1 inch high sidewalls.

[Racer86]

True, but even on race cars there are limits. I don't see anyone racing on dubs with 19" diameter disks and 1 inch high sidewalls.

Agree, totally,

[Ronstar]

I’m actually pretty happy with the wheel gap on the mules. Looks better than usual. I think the quarters are taller on the vette