Kumho’s latest tyres, award-winning technology at Autopromotec

Kumho presented its latest tyres and award-winning technologies at Autopromotec 2022. It also used the opportunity to underline its new approach to the Italian market, similar to its UK strategy, as Carlo Citarella, managing director of Kumho Tire Italia, explained. He said that Autopromotec gave the company “a great opportunity for the whole Kumho Tire Italia Team to speak directly with our customers, following the new direct approach to the market. Only by talking directly with the customer can we better understand the retailer’s needs and offer a service that lives up to their expectations.“

The manufacturer’s tyre range has been calibrated to meet these expectations. The latest tyres on stand included the Ecsta PS71, Ecsta HS52 and Ecsta PS71 EV summer tyres, the new Wintercraft WP52 and the all-season Solus HA32.

The Ecta PS71 premium sports tyre is designed for high-speed driving, the main feature of which is its ability to improve braking performance by maximising its contact patch with the road surface. By strengthening the belt, applying an in-out design pattern and introducing new hybrid technology, vehicle stability is ensured, regardless of road conditions.

The qualities of the Ecta PS71 were independently confirmed last year when it finished third overall on 17 UHP summer tyres tested by Europe’s largest automotive organization, ADAC. This tyre was also rated “good” along with products from Continental, Bridgestone and Falken. The PS71 range is currently being expanded to offer this performance to SUVs and electric cars.

Kumho also exhibited the new Ecsta PS71 EV model, a product supplied to Kia to equip the electric powered EV6 and features Kumho’s patented resonance noise reduction technology, known as K-Silent. Designed exclusively for electric vehicles (EV), PS71 EV is characterized by low frictional resistance, a low wear rate and high levels of traction.

Popular in the European market, the Ecta HS52 is designed to offer drivers a comfortable ride and high safety, making it ideal for both premium and small to medium-sized vehicles. The most notable feature of the Ecsta HS52 is its high-tech rigid block tread pattern.

This technology maintains constant pressure between the tire and the road surface, reducing impact and noise and improving ride comfort. In addition, it uses a high-performance silica compound to optimize the contact area with the road and reduce the loss of energy caused by the generation of heat, thus improving driving performance on wet roads. These qualities led the HS52 to win an iF Design Award 2022 and a Good Design Award 2021.

The recently introduced WinterCraft WP52 was also exhibited at trade shows. The product is designed for medium to large passenger cars and SUVs and is already offered in 43 sizes, with more to follow. Winter performance is maximised through a low-temperature compound and waffle-shaped composite slats. It also features 3D sipes for optimal block stiffness, while innovative hourglass-shaped wear indicators are an integral part of the tread pattern. Designs with snowy landscapes and snowflake crystals have been applied to the sidewalls, to emphasize the tyre’s excellent winter weather credentials.

The latest product on display was the Solus HA32 all season, featuring a new high-tech compound and a V-shaped tread pattern that promises stable braking and excellent handling in all weather conditions. Kumho Tire launched the Solus HA32 last year, then expanding the range to 22 SUV and 14 specific passenger car equipment. The wide range now includes more than 70 trim levels, from 13 to 20”.