2025 Corvette ZR1 Features Improved Tire Spec Over C8 Z06

The 2025 C8 Corvette ZR1 that was unveiled in July is at the top of the C8’s food chain. It’s slotted above the track-ready, naturally aspirated Z06, but the two variants technically have the same tire options…or so it would seem.

In both high-performance C8 models, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is the standard tire, and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R is optional (with the ZTK package on the ZR1 and the Z07 Performance Package on the Z06). Although they appear to be the same tires at first glance, subtle differences set them apart.

“Because of the incredible performance in the ZR1, we had to tweak the tire construction a little and bump up [the tire spec],” Tadge Juechter, recently retired Corvette executive chief engineer, told GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft during the model’s reveal in Miami.

Juechter went on to tell us that the improved construction of the ZR1’s tires resulted in the TPC spec changing. TPC, or Tire Performance Criteria, refers to a specific compound of a tire. It ensures the rubber on any given model is appropriate for the vehicle’s intended use, with chassis and suspension calibrations typically tuned in conjunction with the TPC-spec tire. Naturally, the TPC for Corvette tires, especially the Z06 and ZR1, prioritizes performance.

To clarify, these numbers are just identifiers and don’t quantify anything. Each tire specifically tailored by GM gets its own TPC spec code. However, these numbers aren’t arbitrary. Owners who want to use the exact factory spec tires on their Chevy Corvette Z06 or Corvette ZR1 can look for these TPC codes when ordering tires to ensure optimal performance. Using the right rubber is key to unlocking the full potential of a high-powered, sharp-handling performance car like a C8 Z06 or C8 ZR1. The Cadillac V-Series Blackwing models also have their own unique TPC codes.

To recap, the C8 Z06 is powered by the LT6 naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8, pumping out 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the C8 ZR1 is the most powerful Corvette that GM has ever built, with its LT7 twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 producing 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque. They’re both track-focused Chevy Corvette models, giving enthusiasts a choice of high-revving atmospheric V8 power or forced induction, maximizing output while retaining track-ready agility, partially thanks to the improved tires.