Automotive enthusiasts often think in simple terms: manual transmission is best, automatic is worst; summer tires are best, all-season tires are worst. However, the Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 tires for the C8 Corvette break this binary approach. They are the first factory-fitted all-season tires in Corvette history, and an engineering triumph in balancing high performance and versatility.
Responding to Customer Needs
The development of this tire was inspired by feedback from drivers in cold regions of the northern US and Canada, who expressed the discomfort of driving on summer tires on cold mornings. “Customers were willing to give up a little bit of ultimate performance to go with an all-season tire,” says Steve Calder, Michelin’s ultra-high performance product manager. Michelin designed this tire for the Corvette to meet this need.
What does all-season mean?
While the term “all-season” is vague, Michelin has a clear goal for it: to ensure mobility in cold and light snow conditions. In the ATSM F1805 test, all-season tires must achieve 50% of the performance of the reference tire. The Pilot Sport All-Season 4 scores 65-75% of the Corvette’s OE spec, which is better than summer tires (10-20%) but lower than tires with a severe snow rating (110 %+).
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Performance Goals
Michelin and Corvette set a lofty goal for this tire: 1g of lateral acceleration on the skidpad. This is on par with the performance of summer tires from a generation ago. “This is not a half-hearted surrender to customer demands, but a serious effort,” explains Calder. To achieve this goal, the tread pattern and compound were precisely optimized.
The Magic of Engineering
A tire’s performance depends on the combination of tread pattern and compound. The Pilot Sport All-Season 4’s tread performs well in rain and light snow, but it’s the compound that makes the real difference. Michelin’s C3M process allows different rubber compounds to be placed in different parts of the tire, increasing grip on both snow and dry roads.
Limitations and Strengths
This tire is not rated for severe snow, so you should avoid driving your C8 Corvette in a snowstorm. However, it is reliable in two inches of snow. Those who drove their Corvette on these tires on a cold, dry day experienced excellent handling, without the harshness of summer tires or the softness of winter tires.
Broader Impact
Following the example of the C8 Corvette, Calder notes that more automakers are adopting all-season tires on sports cars, sedans, and SUVs. “It’s ideal for customers who use a tire all year round,” he says. Although production of the C8 began in 2019, the tire represents a decade-old technology that promises to be even better in the next generation of all-season tires.
The way to the future
The Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 breaks down preconceptions about all-season tires, combining performance and practicality. If this tire isn’t enough to overcome the odds, Calder believes the next generation of tires will. This tire for the C8 Corvette is a bold step into the future of automotive engineering.