Kumho adds ‘lifestyle’ SUV tyre to 4×4 range

Kumho reports that the addition of the Crugen HP91 swells its “already comprehensive” range. While there are numerous Kumho 4×4 tyres to choose from, the majority of requirements will be covered by the new on-road offering and the cross-functional road venture patterns MT KL71 and AT KL78.  Between them they cover everything from top end SUVs such as the Range Rover and BMW X5 to the Land Rover Defender.

The Crugen HP91 is aimed at owners of “the latest lifestyle and luxury SUVs who seek the optimum driving experience from their prestige vehicles”. To this end it will eventually replace Kumho’s long serving KL17. The newcomer features an asymmetric tread pattern combined with four wide circumferential grooves. Its silica-enhanced compound is designed for wet weather handling and braking, and a rolling resistance comparable to that of most passenger car tyres. The product’s other major attributes include: high speed stability, low wear rates, and resistance to aquaplaning. HP91 is manufactured in in V, W and Y speed ratings and is available in sizes to fit, for example, the Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque, BMW X5 and X3, and Volvo XC90 and XC60.

Kumho UK first demonstrated the HP91’s attributes at Rockingham Motor Speedway last September.

The Road Venture MT KL71 is designed for durability and off-road traction. A wider footprint has the advantage of better floatation on soft surfaces (such as sand and bog) and stability on-road. However, the tread itself is arguably its most innovative aspect.

On the road, the tread pitch sequence and centre elements have been designed to give a quieter ride than typical MT tyres. The high void directional pattern is said to offer excellent aquaplaning resistance and also shed mud. The shoulder lugs provide incredible off-road traction on soft surfaces.

Indeed the Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 was the joint winner of the 2008 ‘ultimate tyre test’ organised by 4×4 Magazine and Land Rover World to establish the best mud-terrain tyre on the UK market.

And finally the Road Venture AT KL78 is said to be the most versatile tyre in the Kumho 4×4 range. Engineers designed the KL78 to be truly cross-functional, with good road manners and competent off-road capability.

The KL 78’s tread compound stays flexible as temperatures drop. This, in combination with the aggressive groove and sipe pattern, gives the tyre excellent all-season and all-surface traction – even in snow. Its rugged tread pattern has obvious off-road advantages, and includes tie bars to improve on-road stability and carefully engineered block sequences to reduce tread noise.