Kumho’s innovation honoured

Last year Kumho products were honoured with the world’s top three design accolades – the Red Dot Award (Germany), iF International Forum Design (Germany), and International Design Excellence Awards (United States). Add further laurels from Good Design (Japan), Good Design (Korea) and Green Good Design (United States), and it was a bumper 12 months.

Kumho’s innovations of note in recent years include: 15 series tyres; 32-inch SUV tyres; Laser-etched tread patterns; Coloured smoke tyres; and even aroma tyres. The company was also the first to be awarded the Nordic Swan Eco-Label.

The creation of concept tyres for global manufacturers including GM, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan and SsangYong has brought the world such memorable designs as: the super-low aspect ratio ‘Maxplo’ that changes shape according to the driving conditions; and ‘Smasher’, that features suction plates and grinder-shaped tread blocks.

Bespoke motorsport-derived OE fitments of note include the ECSTA V720 that’s fitted as standard to the thunderous 645bhp Dodge Viper ACR; also the ECSTA V70A on which all single-seat BAC Monos ride and which featured on all 2000 MK2 Mini John Cooper Works GPs.

Eco credentials

Last year Kumho products were honoured with the world’s top three design accolades – the Red Dot Award (Germany), iF International Forum Design (Germany), and International Design Excellence Awards (United States). Add further laurels from Good Design (Japan), Good Design (Korea) and Green Good Design (United States), and it was a bumper 12 months.

Kumho displayed the Kia 3-cylinder, 2-stroke ‘Coop-Car 3 for free’ at last year’s Reifen exhibition. Its engine, capable of delivering a fuel consumption of just 2.5l/100km, was complemented by Kumho KH27 Ecowing ES01 tyres – they were especially chosen for their low rolling resistance and minimal noise level, following the achievement of top marks in these disciplines in an ADAC tyre test. Still newer additions to Kumho’s ‘green’ line-up are the award-winning Eco Sense SE11 (not currently on sale in the UK) and the WattruN VS31 that is now available on these shores in two sizes – both patterns have been designed specifically for the burgeoning environmentally-friendly and electric vehicle markets.

With recently-launched patterns of UHP, eco-friendly, all-season and winter car tyres, and more to come during 2017, Kumho reports that it currently has much to offer the UK market. This much will be evident in September when the company once again has a major presence at the IAA.