ZL1 WINTER TESTING TIRES
 

What tires did they use when they tested the ZL1 at various tracks and proving grounds when the weather was cold? They couldn't have been summer tires, and I'm not sure anyone makes winter tires that would fit out back.

Discuss

There are Pirelli tires that will fit the ZL1 available from Tire Rack, that I believe can be driven on in lower temps. I didn't compare. But these could be the same as the stock tires on the 2010-11 SS's. However, you'll give up some of the performance by switching. It is also stated that these are "Maximum Performance Summer" range tires, meaning that they are not designed to be driven in snow or on ice (Don't know of anyone dumb enough to do this!). No mention of not driving in temps lower than 40 degrees.

Sizes To Fit Your Vehicle

Click "View matching front and rear pairs". But sit down before you read the pricing!!

Those are the same tires that come on an SS, just sized to fit the ZL1

is there an option out there that isn't a max performance summer tire? I won't be driving in the snow but if the weather is good i'd like the option of taking it out....

Can't remember if they were Pirelli Snow and Ice or P-Zero Neros on the CTF ZL1 i saw... Fairly sure Pirelli has a trailer and/or office on GM Tech Center Grounds.... they probably manufactured something specifically for the fleet.

So does GM just expect us to board our cars for the winter?

there are no winter tires in 305's. I think people are reading more into this tire thing but maybe I am wrong.

I run my NT05's on my vette all year, I ran the PS2's before that all year, I ran the F1 supercar g1'a all year.

if these G2's are that bad I will just switch to ps2's.

I mean the grip level goes down but you just have to react to it.

Thats what most people do with high performance cars. Plus, most people that do use winter tires also use a set of winter wheels that are smaller, heavier, and narrower than their summer wheels. This helps them to get better traction in deep snow, and also protects their good rims against spring time potholes.

As far as how gm ran tests at cold temps it seems to me that the cars where stored in a heated area. After going on the track it would not be any problem keeping the tires warm! Going into many turns around the track would generate lots of heat in the tires due to friction of the road surface and also remember they also would be on the brakes many times and with lots of pressure on the rotors,this would also transfer to the tires so once they start turning corners the tires will stay hot.

Why does one have to stress about the Winter tires for the ZL1 so much? In my opinion, the Winter tires should have been included in the ordering process as a free stock option. We are spending over 50k for a vehicle that only is supported with summer tires and when the winter time rolls around we are screwed. We have to spend a good thousand more for tires that will only be used for 3 months at tops.

I imagine its because there is a good chance that less than 1% of ZL1 buyers will ever plan on driving their car in cold, snowy, salty, winter conditions. Thats what their truck and/or beater is for.

:word:

The harder you push the level of performance the less room there is for "dual" purpose anything.

I doubt anyone would be happy with winter tires that didnt hook up very well in the summer.

It seems like we are not going to get the vehicle as early as we want it and as soon as we receive the ZL1 we will need to save up for winter tires. We spend 60k during the summer only to spend another 1-2k on tires

and probably wheels, too.

I don't want to have to ride around on aftermarket wheels just because it's 32 degrees outside :\