C8 Corvette Convertible Makes Powdered Donuts, Michigan-Style!

Worried about driving your new C8 Corvette Convertible in the winter snow? Top up or down, there’s no downside to the fun awaiting you!

For the longest time, few would dare drive their Corvette convertibles in winter (unless they lived in Florida, Arizona or California, of course). Aside from the thought of a ‘Vette driving through the snow sending shivers down the spines of many, a soft top is only there to keep the rain out. And for those with a hard top, slapping it on may not be worth the effort. But that was all before the C8 Corvette Convertible arrived.

Now, nothing can stop Corvette fans from taking the mid-engine machine out to make a few powdered donuts in the driveway. In fact, GM sent one of their press-fleet C8 Corvette Convertibles to Charlie and Nathan of Daily Motor to do more or less that in the wintry climes of Michigan.

All-Seasons Just Fine

“We knew that there was a Corvette in the fleet with winter tires.” said Charlie. “We reached out to GM and said, ‘Hey! We’d love to take it up to scenic beautiful northern Michigan, and see what the Corvette’s capable of on some winter rubber.’”

GM replied by sending a >C8 Corvette Convertible with Michelin Pilot Sport all-seasons. As Charlies says, GM had all the confidence in the world such tires could handle the snow with no trouble. Turned out the General was right, as the ‘Vette fared well on the stock all-seasons. Not as great as it would’ve on winter tires, but the car didn’t go into a ditch, so there’s that.

Winter Can Be Fun, Though the Top Should Stay Up

“I’ve driven a Z51 C8 quite a bit [in the rain],” said Charlie. “But I’ve found the non-Z51, the standard car, to be most fun in the rain. In the dry, you can’t slide it around; it just understeers too much with these all-season tires. GM did such a great job with the chassis in this car and the controllability, the steering, the transmission, everything, that in the snow, you can kinda slide it out with just a little input of throttle. Then, when you’re ready to come back in, release the throttle, and right back it goes.”

The C8 Corvette Convertible isn’t totally windproof with the top down, though. However, there’s enough protection to keep warm enough. Of course, it’s better just to have the retractable hard top up, which can be engaged at 30 mph and below.

The Convertible for All Seasons

“I think what Chevy wanted to do with these tires, ” said Charlie, “is they put all-season tires on the base car. They did that so that people could genuinely enjoy their Corvettes all time of the year, and not be afraid if they live in a climate that might get some snow, that they’re going to be completely stuck.”

That said, if you and your C8 Corvette Convertible live in northern Michigan or a similar place, get some winter tires to truly make the most of your ‘Vette.

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