Experimental Tyre Design Proves Excellent in Wet Conditions

Following four years’ of development South Korean company Teong Kim Enterprises has announced the successful testing of a new tyre design that it says “significantly improves” performance in wet conditions. During a press conference in Seoul on April 1, company representatives outlined the fundamental technology used in the experimental ‘wTyre’, and the potential benefits tyre manufacturers may reap from it.

“The monsoon season, which typically occurs here in Korea between June and August, was a motivating factor in the development of the wTyre,” said company chairman Cho Park Leong. “With flooding a frequent occurrence, it was to us clear that a tyre capable of handling more extreme wet weather conditions was needed.” Mr. Cho added that the wTyre was, from its inception, intended to be a “dedicated” wet weather product, and the results of the company’s work have “exceeded all expectations.”

Within the wTyre is a honeycomb like internal structure, explained chief of design Kim Seung. Each of these ‘honeycomb’ cavities is filled with beads containing a patented gel that possesses strong buoyancy characteristics. While Kim did not disclose the specific chemical properties of the gel, he did note that the company was also considering its viability in other applications, such as swim rings and children’s pool toys. “The material is very, very buoyant,” he stated.

Road testing in Chuncheon, South Korea’s “Lakes District”, has highlighted the wTyre’s positive handling characteristics in wet conditions. A Hyundai Sonata fitted with the experimental tyres achieved speeds of up to 140 km/h at Lake Soyang, and according to Mr. Kim, braking distances were said to be comparable with premium quality standard tyres. He added that the wTyre exhibited “good resistance to aquaplaning.”

Once testing is completed, Teong Kim Enterprises foresees the widespread commercial adoption of this new technology, and company chairman Cho indicated that he had already participated in negotiations with “more than one top-ten tyre manufacturer.” He added that the time and fuel savings that could be achieved by using the wTyre were considerable. The 20-mile drive from Dover to Calais, he told European journalists, could be completed in between 20 minutes and one hour, depending on weather conditions.