New Products Ready to Join Growing Kumho UHP Range

Europe is currently a market of much activity for Kumho, and the manufacturer reports that its OE business here is growing, the latest addition to the company’s original equipment portfolio being the high performance Ecsta KU19 in size 245/45R18 for the new Mercedes-Benz Viano X-Clusive. Supply of this particular KU19 size has been added to the company’s global OE business, which includes as customers Chevrolet, Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Smart, SsangYong, VW and Daimler AG, to whom Kumho has supplied tyres for the A-Class model since last year. In the replacement market Kumho’s profile has also grown rapidly, thanks to the support of national distribution partner Micheldever Tyre Services, Northern Ireland distributor Modern Tyres and the ECSTA Performance Centre network, arguably one of the most successful retailing programmes of its kind.

Kumho was amongst the first tyre manufacturers to supply run-flat tyres in Europe, and the company introduced its first XRP or Extended Run-Flat Performance version of the ECSTA SPT, for the Mini Cooper, in 2005. This has since been joined by more than a dozen of the most popular BMW fitments, from 195/55R16 to 245/40R18, which between them cover most size requirements for the Mini and the BMW 1, 3 and 5 Series models. Several additional sizes are planned for introduction in the near future.

Kumho’s XRP tyres have reinforced sidewalls and a specially reinforced bead that will support the car’s weight and ensure a secure fit on the wheel, even after complete loss of inflation pressure. Materials used in its construction also prevent heat from building up while driving when the tyre is deflated. Indeed, in order to ensure the problem-free sale of its replacement run-flat products throughout the world, Kumho built a high degree of tolerance into its technical specification from day one. The company is now moving towards second generation products that it says will guarantee ride comfort even closer to that of a conventional tyre, courtesy of refinements to the tread profile (as a result of FEA analysis) and the use of lighter gauge sidewall inserts. XRP tyres are suitable for retrofitting to any make of car, says Kumho, provided the wheel is of the right size and the car is equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Winter versions of the run-flat range are also available.

The Korean manufacturer reports the reaching of a milestone for a key product in its Ecsta range; the directional tread Ecsta SPT KU31 is now available in over 100 sizes, most with extra load capability and Y speed rating. Combining Kumho’s race-derived tyre technology with some of the latest innovations in road tyre design, the KU31 incorporates a number of features designed to enhance the driving experience. These include patented rotate wear indicators that permit the visual monitoring of tread life, and special notches to protect against water turbulence through the tyre’s longitudinal grooves. A noteworthy endorsement of the KU31’s performance abilities came last November when the influential German motoring magazine, Auto Bild, gave the tyre its coveted ‘Exemplary’ rating in a test of 12 tyres, commenting on its stable and safe driving characteristics on wet and dry roads as well as low noise qualities.

Scheduled for release in the summer of 2008 is the Ecsta X3 KL17, Kumho’s new product for the luxury and sports SUV market designed to offer outstanding resistance to aquaplaning, high cornering stability and a notably quiet and comfortable ride. To ensure its place in this ever-expanding sector of the market, the KL17 is available in fitments for rim diameters starting at 16-inches and progressing through to a massive 32-inches, the ultra large size pioneered by Kumho, and the KU17 line-up encompasses key growth sizes such as 255/50R19 and 275/40R20.

Another new release is the Ecsta HM KH31, a tyre designed to provide a new level of balanced performance for GT cars, sporting saloons and estates. A replacement for the well-regarded KH11, Kumho says that the new tyre will feature an upgraded UHP tread compound, advanced belt package design technology and high-level casing durability. The KH31 range will be made available in a range of fitments from 14 through to 18-inches.