Special ME Tire Options

[John]

Acoustic Reduction Tires, or other choices?



What are the two different ME tires options? First taking a look at what we think at the C8’s tires specs:



Clearly looking at the there’s a typo, for both sets will be 19” fronts, 20” rears. We know exact tire sizes and that at least one set of the C8’s tires would be Michelin 4S’s.



But what about the two different ME tire option codes.? What makes them different? I noticed something when staring at the specs, that one set has “RF4”in them. As that does not stand for “right front,” IMO represent that one set is run flats, and perhaps the 4 stands for Michelin PS4’s. So is the other option not a run flat tire as it does not have either a “RF” in it not a “4” thus the second set not being PS4’s but instead something else?

Earlier I had asked whether one set was for all seasons? meyerweb responded that he thought probably not, and instead suggested one set could be the the Cup 2 tires. However, we have never had Cup 2 tires on any Stingray before. Doesn’t mean GM can’t change this up, but has not GM always, when one got Cup 2’s, they were automatically paired with carbon-ceramic brakes paired? As of yet however, we have not yet seen C-C brakes as an option for the 2020 ME.

I conclude, maybe erroneously, that perhaps as the Michelin 4S tires (option XFQ) are runflats (no surprise there), but what about the second second (option code XFN); are they non runflat versions of the PS4 (which Michelin also makes), or Cup 2’s or all seasons Michelin A/S 3+ tires? Might GM be giving us a completely different second tire choice?

Or is there another option for our consideration, that could second option code set of tires be the fairly new Michelin Acoustic tires?

MICHELIN® Acoustic Technology effectively reduces vibrations caused by the road resulting in a significant reduction of interior noise.

A custom designed polyurethane foam solution muffles noise by approximately 20%. It muffles noise resonance which allows the drivers and passengers to benefit fully from hands-free communication devices while lessening driver fatigue on long drives. MAT even dampens interior noise when driving on changing road conditions.

https://www.michelinman.com/US/en/wh...echnology.html

[Frenzy36]

The PS4 Michelin Tires are Fantastic. I have switched to them on several vehicles and can attest to their exceptional ride quality. Especially noticeable over rough terrain and potholes. Definitely worth the price of admission.

[Boomer]

A side note, its great the way you are piecing off each individual aspect of the leaked build sheet and devoting a thread for discussion.

[07MontyRed]

A side note, its great the way you are piecing off each individual aspect of the leaked build sheet and devoting a thread for discussion.

I agree!! Thanks John!

[John]

Thanks. Having fun and trying to glean every ounce we can by just starting threads. Together we are doing the learning. Now give us the full and official GM specs, and also the press release, and we can just imagine what we would be learning LOL.

[John]

Re the tires, if the Acoustical Mat Michelins are one of the tires options, it would be a consistent start with someone saying a while ago that we are eventually get a Grand Touring version and a separate, more track version

The PS4s, as Frenzy noted, are a major improvement over the PSS tires 90% of C7’s came with, with the MAT tires giving a quieter, smoother ride option for those of us who do long road trips yet do not track, and that too would be a nice option for others.

[majic1980]

I believe there WILL BE two different types of Michelin Tires for the “ base “ C8 when it’s initially released, ( most likely the C8 Z51 would have the higher performance tire ) furthermore I think they’ll Both be Zero Pressure. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cups have been replaced by the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R , There in the process of releasing them in many more sizes. I’d say those tires would most likely find there way on a C8 down the road a bit , probably on a ZO6 ( or whatever they’ll call it ) C8 model

[John]

majic1980, informative 1st post. Thank you.

Welcome to the forum

[MidEngine]

Thanks majic! Glad you joined us. We appreciate your adding to our knowledge pool.

[majic1980]

Thank You , Yes the “ base “ tire MAY still be ( called a ) Pilot Sport 4S , but it’ll most certainly be an updated tire , with different compound/construction especially for the C8

[John]

When the C7 was being developed, Corvette and Michelin did exactly that same tailored-to-Corvette collaboration. GM initially send Michelin its specs, then Michelin developed a custom “version1” PSS specific to those specs. Corvette tested it and as they progressively refined and changed early C7 IVERs characteristics, they feed that info, along with the version 1 tire feedback to Michelin. This resulted in a version 2 tire for the C7. This progressive refinement happened at least one more version before we got the specific tire delivered on the customer 2014 SR’s.

I learned this from Lee Willard’s presentation the 1.13.13 weekend, but for those who missed that, here is the public presentation he did at the BASH a few months later.

While there is no Michelin seminar this year at the BASH, they have a booth just outside the Corvette Cafe, and are happy and friendly to talk with you — but guess what, not a single question you raise about the C8 would be answered.

Though in answer to you, you might hear, “What is a sea eight?”

[George]

Those of us who wearing hearing aids, struggle with road noise as they pick that up more than normal hearing, It would be wonderful to have cabin noise reduced by 20%, making for a nicer 'grand touring' environment. Because the doctors tell me that the average age for needing hearing aids is dropping rapidly, I believe cabin noise will be increasingly important to many buyers.

Yes, I grew up loving the outrageous noise levels of all the hot cars...but we're in a new age now and most new vehicles won't sound like that. Let's just hope the Government isn't intrusive enough to add noise makers to the quiet new vehicles!

[JB]

I would prefer gm offer summer only tires as well as high performance all season...

otherwise ill have to buy a second set of wheels and tires to mount from november to april.

i daily my corvettes and from november to april it drops way below 40 degrees (where the summer only corvette z51/GS/z06/zr1 standard tires crack if used in cold climate.)

not terrible to have to purchase a second set of wheels and winter tires if need be as it just extends the life of the summer tire set...but Id rather not.

at 60 years old Im not lookimg to swap wheels and tires for the winter season...

id pay an additional fee to get all season high performance rubber ..

i dont like to take up space in the two car garage for a set of wheels if i can avoid it...

[meyerweb]

I'd be surprised if GM sells a car without a spare with non-runflat tires from the factory. I've been wrong before though. Maybe they figure that by now people are comfortable enough with the lack of a spare to sell it with just an air pump and slime kit.

[brad66]

The C5 Z06 came from the factory with non runflats and no spare so they have done that before.