Kumho Ecsta PS71 EV OE on 2022 Car of the Year, the electric Kia EV6

The Korean manufacturer’s latest electric car tyre is the descendant of an award-winning early entry into specialist EV tyres

While most tyre manufacturers are evolving their approach to building ranges of electric vehicle tyres, with specialism not always the preferred route, a small number of tyre-makers were quick off the mark with new product lines. Korean manufacturer Kumho was one of the small number to bring an all-new product to the electric vehicle replacement tyre market, entering the burgeoning segment in 2016 with the Wattrun VS31. The tyre garnered several accolades for pioneering design work, including both the prestigious German Red Dot Design Award and American Green Good Design award. Now Kumho’s strategy is to bring its EV line more directly into alignment with its existing passenger car tyre brands; the Wattrun VS31 pattern has now been superseded by the Ecsta PS71 EV, the company’s next generation electric vehicle tyre.

Several sizes of the newcomer feature Kumho’s patented ‘K-Silent’ technology that minimises resonant noise via a layer of polyurethane foam within the carcass. PS71 EV also utilises high strength cords for optimum cornering ability, while the level of High Dispersible Micro Silica ensures high wet grip and low wear rates. The zig-zag tread pattern prevents ‘sloping’ – a phenomenon caused by the high torque loadings of which electric vehicles can be capable during initial acceleration. A lack of sidewall protrusion minimizes air resistance.

PS71 EV is now available in the UK in a total of 15 sizes, nine of which include ‘K-Silent’ technology, not least that fitted as standard to Europe’s ‘2022 Car of the Year’, the Kia EV6.

Eco tyres continue to be a fixture for Kumho

The Ecowing ES31 offers eco-friendly properties to standard vehicles (Photo: Kumho)

In addition to the explicitly electric car tyre products, Kumho continues to offer specifically eco-friendly tyres in the form of its Ecowing brand. The Kumho Ecowing ES31 is now available in a total of 50 sizes from 14 to 18-inch, around 60 per cent of which carry an A or B label grade for rolling resistance. The sizes include all the key fitments for such best-selling small and medium-sized hatchbacks and saloons as the Volkswagen Polo and Golf, Fiat 500, Audi A1, A2, A3 and A4, BMW 1 and 2 Series, Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio.

The ES31’s innovative asymmetric pattern includes: a quartet of wide drainage channels for optimum wet weather performance; a stiff centre rib for minimal rolling resistance; and aerodynamically designed shoulders for improved wind resistance that feature novel heat dissipation dimples on the inner flank.

A double A grade 185/65R15 88H version of the ES31 is fitted as standard to the current Volkswagen Polo.