Kumho strengthens winter range with new WP52 car, SUV tyre

Manufacturer adds further cold weather mobility to range following the launch of its all-season van tyre, building on success of Solus 4S HA32

Kumho has launched a new winter tyre for the medium to large car and SUV market, the Wintercraft WP52. The new tyre follows the introduction of a new all-season van tyre from the Korean manufacturer, the PorTran 4S CX11, which added features from the lauded Solus 4S HA32 all-season car tyre to its existing winter van range. Kumho has established itself as a tyre supplier to Europe’s biggest winter tyre markets in the Nordic and Central Europe regions with a comprehensive range of well-regarded products, and is strengthening its position in the region’s growing all-season market.

The “more technically advanced” WinterCraft WP52 will take over from the existing WP51 pattern during the 2022/23 winter season, though the older pattern remains available for the time being, Kumho says. The new tyre offers 27 sizes, including all the most popular fitments up to 18 inches. The WP52’s specification include: interlocking 3D sipes, snow ejector and snow trapping prevention systems, a V-shaped tread pattern with wide lateral groove for improved aquaplaning resistance and maximum lateral grip. and hourglass-shaped wear indicators for quicker, easier tread depth assessment. Its optimised profile results in an increase in the tyre’s footprint of up to 10 per cent.

Kumho’s leading all-season car, van tyres

Kumho Solus 4S HA32 (Photo: Kumho)

The Solus 4S HA32 is Kumho’s leading product for the burgeoning all-season market in the UK and across Europe. The manufacturer added several new size options to its range with the tyre’s introduction, bringing the total as high as 70. The related SUV offerings include fitments up to 20 inches in diameter.

The Red Dot Design Award-winning HA32’s cutting-edge compound and zigzag V-shaped tread pattern brought notable improvements in wet weather performance, earning the tyre a wet grip label grade of at least B for 95 per cent of its range. Other features such as its three-dimensional interlocking sipes ensure impressive handling in all conditions.

Kumho says the HA32 is ideal for drivers seeking optimum performance and reliability in all weathers, now available in sizes of 14 to 20 inches for a wide spectrum of cars, as well as most of the UK’s most popular SUVs.

In the van market, the PorTran 4S CX11 was created by combining the strengths of the Solus 4S HA32 and the WinterCraft PorTran CW51. As a result the new tyre ensures safe, secure driving with braking performance delivered throughout the year. Kumho’s latest compounds and an advanced tread design that optimises the tyre’s contact with the road will also lead to reductions in fuel consumption, the manufacturer promises. The tread has also been developed for maximum traction on snowy roads, certified by the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) mark, which joins Kumho’s own all-season icon on the sidewall. The PorTran 4S CX11 is currently available in 15 sizes between 15 and 17 inches, covering the most popular vans and LCVs on Europe’s roads. Kumho adds that it is able to adjust to meet shifting consumer demand with year-round manufacturing for its all-season products.

Kumho winter tyre range

In addition to the new WP52, Kumho’s existing winter tyre range for Europe is comprehensive. It includes the WinterCraft WP72 and WP71 for medium and large-sized family and executive cars. The tyres feature zig-zag main grooves, V-shaped lateral grooves, a multi-layer tread for optimum block stiffness, and 3D snow sipes. The tyres offer improved dry, wet and snow performance, offered in an extensive range of sizes from 215/55R16 to 275/35R19, and in V and W speed ratings. There is also a choice of four different run-flat sizes including 225/55R17 and 245/45R18. Several new 19 and 20 inch sizes of the Good Design Award-winning WP72 now form part of Kumho’s winter UHP range.

For SUVs, Kumho offers the WinterCraft WS71. Currently available in a choice of more than 30 sizes up to 21 inches and H, V and W speed ratings, the asymmetric pattern includes: vertical grooves for superior wet surface drainage, zig-zag channels, high-stiffness 3D sipes and ejectors for optimum performance on snow, anti-noise shoulder design, and hourglass-shaped wear indicators.

The PorTran CW51 is Kumho’s winter alpine van pattern, providing traction and handling in snowy and icy conditions to light commercial vehicles. It features 3D sipes in the shoulder area for superior handling and reinforced tread blocks for improved stability and available in 18 sizes.