Prinx arrives with 2 EV-specific tyres

Prinx is the new flagship brand of Prinx Chengshan Tire Europe and following their public debut at The Tire Cologne in 2022, the market launch of the first Prinx products is imminent. Wholesalers can now order the XNEX Sport and XLAB Comfort, which together are obtainable in a range that covers 45 sizes and 69 articles.

Positioning itself as a “sustainability-oriented” brand, Prinx gets the ball rolling with a pair of tyres developed specifically for electric vehicles. Introducing XNEX Sport and XLAB Comfort, Thomas Wohlgemuth states that “both summer tyres have been developed from scratch specifically with the European market in mind.”

The tyre maker’s Europe region managing director adds that when designing XNEX Sport and XLAB Comfort, Prinx didn’t just convert an existing tyre model for electric vehicles: “We are able to draw on many years of experience in research and practice through our parent company Prinx Chengshan. The fact that the Chinese market has a big head start in the field of e-mobility is a real advantage for us in this case.”

EV-specific design

Tyre construction and tread pattern accommodate the higher vehicle weight associated with the battery and its effects on braking behaviour, wear pattern and rolling resistance. The high acceleration speeds of EVs place above-average demands upon tyres, and Prinx Chengshan adds that precise steering response is also essential. Furthermore, the lack of engine noise in electric vehicles means that drivers are more sensitive to the driving and rolling sounds that have previously been drowned out. “EV tyres should compensate for this.”

The rolling resistance of both tyres is optimised for more range per charge; XLAB Comfort has an EU label A rating and XNEX Sport a B rating for this criterion. Both tyres are B-rated for wet grip.

Awards, safety & comfort features

Prinx Chengshan Tire Europe tells us that XNEX Sport has “won several international awards for its look,” including the Muse Design Award in the USA. The tyre gained a silver accolade at the Italian A’Design Award & Competition and was a product design category winner at the Paris Design Awards. Elaborating, Prinx says that “the 3D style of the sidewall and its smooth, velvet-effect surface impressed, as did the technical features Silenteck and Healteck.”

Silenteck is a foam material that reduces cavity noise by up to 12.6 dB in the passenger area and up to 2 dB in overall noise. Healteck is a silicone tyre sealant that permanently closes holes of up to 6mm in diameter within seconds should a puncture occur, enabling the tyre’s continued use without compromising the car’s handling characteristics or controllability.

Prinx XNEX Sport is available in a range of 35 articles that encompasses 18 sizes. Prinx offers 34 articles in the XLAB Comfort line-up, with 27 sizes.