Car and Driver has just released a new article about tire testing with the 2026 Corvette E-Ray and the results show just how far tire technology has progressed in the last two decades.
It was back in 2006 that a Corvette first exceeded 1.0 g from its summer performance tires. That car was the C6 Z06 and it was still wearing the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires before making the switch to Michelin shortly thereafter.
Now twenty years later, Car and Driver is saying the 2026 Corvette E-Ray just became the first vehicle wearing all-season tires to break the 1.0 g on their skidpad with a 1.01-g average. For reference, the E-Ray with the ZER Package that includes Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S performance tires achieved a 1.08-g average on the skidpad.
For new E-Ray buyers considering which tire to go with (or even other C8 buyers looking to extend their driving seasons), the stock Michelin All-Seasons gave up very little in performance to the Pilot Sport 4S summer tires as Car and Driver tested them in both acceleration and braking. When equipped with the All-Season tires, the E-Ray only gives up a tenth of a second in its 0-60 mph time and the car needed just one extra foot in braking to match the stopping power of the performance tire!
Check out this excerpt from Car and Driver:
Back to the electrified Corvette, with less grip and more rear tire spin, it gives up a tenth to 60 mph and in the quarter-mile compared with the E-Ray on summer rubber. But even with all-seasons, it still posted scorching times of 2.6 and 10.7 seconds, respectively. What’s maybe the most impressive is how little the braking performance is affected. The summer tires stopped from 70 mph in 152 feet and from 100 mph in 300 feet. The all-season tires needed just one foot more in both tests. A single foot! For those not looking for qualifying times, the three-season Michelin is one impressive tire.
Hats off to the Corvette Team and our friends at Michelin who worked hand in hand to bring us the first modern Corvette equipped with all-season tires. As you can see from the test, these all-season tires offer nearly the same performance as the summer-rated Pilot Sport 4S performance tires. Now that you know that, will that change your tire purchase plans?
If you are buying an new E-Ray and not really planning on taking the car to the track, take our advice and forgo the $500 ZER Package and stick with the base Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4+ tires. Not only are you getting a great 3-season tire for your AWD Corvette, but the replacement costs for the All-Seasons versus the Pilot Sport 4S Performance tires are better as well. A recent price check comparison at TireRack.com shows replacing a set of four All Season tires will cost $1,796 versus $2,240 to replace a set of 4S summer tires.
Make sure you read the full article at Car and Driver!
Source:
Car and Driver
Related:
C8 Corvette Z06 to Get the C8 ZR1’s Improved Michelins
[VIDEO] Tire Talk: A Comparison of Michelin’s Three Tires for the C8 Corvette Z06 and E-Ray
[PODCAST] CORVETTE TODAY #182 – The Men from Michelin Talk About Z06 and E-Ray Tire Options
Subscribe Now:
![[VIDEO] Bartender Wins a New Corvette Stingray Given Away by Jay Leno on Wheel of Fortune](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/uploads/2026/05/051926_3-218x150.jpg "[VIDEO] Bartender Wins a New Corvette Stingray Given Away by Jay Leno on Wheel of Fortune")
Sorry but it’s not the first. Before I got my 2010 Grand Sport convertible, I had a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 which was actually a reskinned AMG 32 supercharged Mercedes. These were rated from the factory in Germany for 1.02G with their OE Michelin all season tires.
Agreed on all points. Been saying that since the ER debuted. ZER has very little justification. ER is meant to be used year round, might as well have a tire that can be used year round.
I thought the approx 20 lbs difference would help a bit in acceleration. Was this not observed? If not, I wonder why.
That’s 20 pounds per tire difference.
Sure, the tires are “rated” for 1.02 G but did the AMG Mercedes ever meet or exceed that in an independent test?
The E-Ray is a gem that few understand. Zero degrees outside yet the E-Ray is ready to go. And, being very quick below 100 mph, it can be enjoyed a lot. No need to hit 170 mph, ZR1 owners.
As an E-ray owner who switches between the all seasons and summer tires, I can tell you there are several reasos I do so. The 2-ply summer tires are quieter and more comfortable than the 3-ply all seasons. Handling is noticeably better with the summer tires with the car better communicating what the tires are doing. I prefer the summer tires even in the rain when temperatures are warm. The all season is a good tire, but I don’t see why anyone would run it year round. If you can afford the car and you need winter tires, then you can afford an extra set of wheels and tires.
Thanks for that feedback on your experience with the different tires on the E-Ray.
When you live in NC where it might snow less than an inch once or twice a year but the temp goes below 40 degrees 4 months out of the year on a regular basis, it would make zero sense to buy another set of wheels and snow tires or summer tires. All seasons are the way to go. I run Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP’s and they actually handle better than the summer tires my 2010 Grand Sport came with. They ride just as well and as quiet too, so I’m happy with them – although they weren’t cheap!
Hi Keith, does not the ZER package also include some suspension tuning differences also? While I do not think they are aggressive by any means, i still would prefer even a slightly stiffer ride and would want that feeling so opt for the ZER, says the guy with a Z06! LOL
Comments are closed.