Kumho has been appointed official tyre supplier for the TCR Europe race series from 2022. The products provided will be its proven dry weather ECSTA S700 and wet weather ECSTA W701 competition tyres. The supply arrangement will also include TCR Spain, TCR Denmark and TCR Eastern Europe

Launched in 2015, the various TCR series are hosted by World Sporting Consulting (WSC) and are international motorsport competitions for mass-produced touring cars. Run to rules approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), they feature mass-produced 4/5-door touring cars powered by 2.0-litre turbocharged engines of up to 350bhp driving through sequential transmissions.

Marcello Lotti, President of WSC Group, said:

“Motorsport competitions offer a great opportunity to showcase and test advanced vehicle technologies. Kumho has made a great effort to embrace TCR, and that dedication is shown first and foremost in the quality of the product, which we have now evaluated and approved.”

Paulo Ferreira, the TCR Europe Promoter, commented:

“We are delighted to be making this announcement and I am looking forward to working with Kumho this season. Having a single tyre across a range of TCR series makes total sense for both organisers and competitors, and I think it shows great foresight by Kumho to work with WSC and series promoters in the production of a bespoke TCR tyre.”

“Kumho is happy to participate in the new partnership with the WSC Group,”

said Tony Gangseung Lee, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Kumho Tire.

“We will use this partnership to enhance our motorsport technology image and brand recognition in the global marketplace.”

No stranger to touring car racing, Kumho was the official tyre partner for TCR Korea at its launch in 2018, and the company’s success in the world of motorsport has embraced everything from European F3 to WCR rallying, while in 2007 it successfully developed prototype tyres for F1.

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Kumho ranked among the top 12 percent of the automotive parts industry in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) evaluation recently conducted by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI). The company received a BBB grade in 2019, an A grade in 2021, and an AA grade this year, meaning its evaluation score has been steadily rising year-on-year.

MSCI ESG Ratings is an ESG evaluation model developed in order to build and manage investment portfolios. Companies are rated on a scale of AAA (leader) to CCC (laggard) according to their exposure to industry-specific ESG risks and risk management capabilities relative to their peers. According to the MSCI report, Kumho received excellent reviews for ‘environmental impact management’, such as ‘eco-friendly technology’ – for example reducing toxic emissions and developing EV products. In addition, it was recognised for its competency in the customised talent development programme, while in terms of quality and safety it was deemed to show an industry-leading management case.

Last year, Kumho established a new division specifically in order to speed up the establishment and internalisation of its ESG management system. CEO Jung Il-Taek said,

“We will improve the future value of our business and increase trust in it by responding to social requirements.”

Meanwhile, Kumho obtained a B+ grade in a corporate sustainability management evaluation conducted last year by the Korea Corporate Governance Service – an improvement on the previous year’s results. The company is also pursuing clean mobility and increasing its sustainable credentials by supplying tyres for the EV6, Kia’s first battery electric vehicle.

Furthermore, it is actively researching natural raw materials and improving tyre recycling technologies so as to replace 100 percent of raw materials with sustainable ones by 2050.

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No newcomer to receiving international accolades for its products, Kumho has now been accorded not one but two 2022 iF Design Awards in the automobiles/vehicles category – one for its new high-performance tyre, the ECSTA HS52, and one for its latest future tyre concept, Fin-Sread.

The newly launched HS52 is aimed at premium brand passenger and sports cars and will be available in the UK in some 46 sizes by the end of this year. The solid block design of the tread pattern helps maintain a steady pressure on the road surface, reducing impact and noise and improving ride comfort. Strong shoulder blocks ensure stability and good handling.

With the development of autonomous driving, the car is growing from a mere means of transport into a mobile living space. Fin-Sread is a new airless, electronic tyre platform. Its airless structure helps reduce accidents by eradicating punctures, while the independent control of each unit maximises ride comfort and the centre section actively blocks out noise.

Organised by the International Forum Design of Germany, the iF awards are amongst the world’s most prestigious. Along with the Red Dot and IDEA awards, the 69-year-old accolades are recognized as one of the top design prizes in the world. Winners are selected by an independent jury of design experts via a comprehensive screening process that takes into account design excellence as well as innovation, environmental friendliness, quality, functionality and convenience. Last year, Kumho was the recipient of all four major global design awards – the German iF, North American IDEA, German Red Dot and Japanese Good Design.

The head of Kumho Tire’s R&D Division, Cho Mansik said:

“As vehicle electrification gathers pace, the design of their component parts is also advancing rapidly. Tyres are being developed that create synergy with the other elements, and will rapidly transcend existing limitations. We continue to reflect Kumho’s future-oriented vision and value in our products.”

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Underlining its international resurgence and ongoing development of award-winning tyres specifically for the European market, Kumho this week has a significant presence at two key industry exhibitions – The Tire Cologne (Cologne, Germany, May 24-26) and Autopromotec (Bologna, Italy, May 25-28).

The main displays echo the structure of the European tyre market by being divided into summer and cold-weather products. Representing the former are the multi-faceted ECSTA PS71 – now available in passenger car, SUV and EV guises – and the equally-high performance ECSTA HS52, the recognised qualities of which have already garnered it a 2022 iF Design award and 2021 GOOD DESIGN AWARD from Germany and Japan respectively. The company’s cold-weather offerings are symbolised by the recently introduced WINTERCRAFT WP52 and popular all-season SOLUS HA32.

Renowned for its innovative concept products, Kumho is also showcasing three generations of airless tyre technology from the BON of 2017 to the e-NIMF of 2020 and the recently unveiled Fin-Sread, all of which have been honoured with top international design awards.

Already a leading player within the rapidly-growing EV market with the noise-reducing ECSTA PS71 EV that it supplies to Kia for OEM fitment to its 2022 Car of the Year electric SUV, the EV6, Kumho is using the shows to announce a significant upscaling of EV tyre production. It promises no less than 15 sizes of PS71 EV fitments for cars and SUVs for Europe for 2023, quickly leading to a full line-up of summer, all-season and cold-weather products for the global EV car and SUV markets.

The post WE’RE DISPLAYING OUR EXPANDING RANGE & FUTURE TECH AT TWO EUROPEAN EXHIBITIONS appeared first on Kumho Tyres.

• Kumho Tyre (UK) joins Driven to Extremes Euro EV Marathon as supplying partner
• An endurance drive like no other, covering 3,600 miles in five days
• Fully electric Kia EV6 ‘Air’ with Kumho tyres to visit 15 countries in 120 hours
• Kumho ECSTA PS71 EV original fit on the Kia EV6 to be used for the challenge
• Team aims to cross the finish line in Lisbon on World EV Day – Sept 9th

Ensuring an epic road trip stays on track, Kumho Tyre (UK) has joined the ‘Driven to Extremes Euro EV Marathon’ as supplying partner, with expedition specialist Max Adventure planning to drive a Kia EV6 from Oslo, Norway to Lisbon, Portugal in just five days.

Recreating an historic motoring exploit, the 3,600-mile challenge will visit 15 countries in just 120 hours. Kumho’s ECSTA PS71 EV tyre is original fit on the Kia EV6 and it is this specialist product in 235/55R19 size that the challenge car will be equipped with throughout the trial.

The tyre is notable for its minimal level of resonance noise, thanks to Kumho’s patented sound absorbing technology, dubbed K-Silent. This optimises the shape and properties of polyurethane foam materials placed within a tyre, which results in a marked reduction in the air vibration generated during contact with the road surface. Kumho developed the K-Silent system back in 2014 and now holds patents for the unique design throughout the world. Other properties of PS71 EV that make it ideal for tyres intended for use on electric vehicles include low rolling resistance, strong anti-wear performance and excellent levels of grip.

Inspired by an endurance test completed by Sir Stirling Moss 70 years ago, the ‘Driven to Extremes Euro EV Marathon’ is understood to be the first time the route has been attempted in a fully electric vehicle as a continuous trip. With the support of Kumho Tyre, as well as Kia UK, the team will start the drive on September 4th, and aim to arrive in Lisbon on September 9th – World EV Day.

Speaking of the challenge, Kumho Tyre (UK)’s Managing Director Keon Park said:

“We are delighted to be involved with this landmark event, which allows us to showcase our first electric vehicle tyre to be approved by Kia ahead of the arrival of our full EV range next year. Kumho has a history of innovation, and the ECSTA PS71 EV will ensure we are at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle revolution.”

The ‘Driven to Extremes Euro EV Marathon’ draws on the adventure undertaken by Stirling Moss in 1952. A publicity stunt to promote the newly launched Humber Super Snipe 4-door saloon, the legendary racing driver, along with three of his ‘fast friends’, visited 15 European countries in less than five days. 2022’s challenge gives that journey a modern perspective, the team will travel from Oslo to Lisbon, driving roughly 200-mile legs at a time, to arrive on World EV Day, September 9th.

Speaking of the challenge, Project Leader Mac Mackenney said:

“We’re delighted that Kumho Tyre’s expertise and knowledge will be part of this ambitious adventure. We want to show that every aspect of owning a modern EV means there’s no compromise – from the reliability of the vehicle to the dependability of the tyres. We’ll have a long way to travel, with the team driving in shifts, so resting and sleeping properly throughout will be vital. This means comfort and low road noise, as well as efficiency and safety – and we’ll be in good hands with Kumho.”

From its departure point at Kia’s Norwegian headquarters in Lørenskog on the outskirts of Oslo, the team of drivers will use main roads and bridges to cover the 3,600 miles and the adventure will be tracked at all times by a GPS system. The location will be available via the Max Adventure website – www.maxadventure.co.uk and https://yb.tl/evmarathon. The team of three will take turns behind the wheel of the EV6, resting and navigating – with the only planned stops made for driver swaps and vehicle charging. A support vehicle, also supplied by Kia, will accompany the EV6 to document the drive, carrying a photography and film crew.

Regular updates, including pictures and videos from the team will be available during the drive, published via its own social channels as well as Kumho Tyre (UK)’s and other supporting partners.

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Well used to receiving Red Dot Design Awards for its road tyres, Kumho has now won one for its ‘Airborne Tire’, a revolutionary concept product aimed at the rapidly evolving UAM (Urban Air Mobility) sector.

It is reckoned that by 2030 some 60 percent of the world’s population will be urban and with many major cities already close to gridlock on the ground, pressure is mounting to optimise the airspace above them. To that end a new generation of safe, sustainable and convenient aircraft, such as electrically-powered VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) machines, are in development, and it is with these in mind that Kumho has evolved the ‘Airborne Tire’.

Employing technology proven in magnetic levitation train systems, its unique combination of magnetic field suspension and rotating wheel devices allows it to generate sufficient electricity to manoeuvre an aircraft on the ground without the need for any further form of propulsion. Once in the air the tyre wheels float by the force of the magnetic field alone, while the airless construction minimises impact on landing to the benefit of the passengers.

Committed to keeping pace with such trends as UAM, Kumho is in fact no stranger to the related technologies, having proposed advanced electromagnetic technology for Epoch, the eco-friendly racing car concept it developed as long ago as 2007.

Kumho’s latest Red Dot Design Award was in the ‘Design Concept’ category. Organised by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen of Germany since 1955, Red Dot is the oldest design competition in the world and among the three most prestigious. This year’s award ceremony will take place in Singapore and the winning products will be displayed at the Red Dot Design Museum.

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Kumho Tyre (UK) helped the Max Adventure team complete the Driven To Extremes Euro EV Marathon, as they beat their original target and covered the 3,174 miles in just 3.75 days – using the fully electric Kia EV6 ‘Air’ fitted with Kumho’s ECSTA PS71 EV tyre.

Taking the car from Oslo, Norway, to Portugal, the team knocked 47 minutes off the time set by racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, who undertook the drive in 1952, and was able to add an extra country to the list of those visited.

Designed to show how easy it is to cover huge distances in a short time using a standard EV and existing charging infrastructure, the team relied on Kumho’s patented tyre technology to cross the finish line and mark World EV Day on September 9th. Kumho’s ECSTA PS71 EV tyre is original fit on the Kia EV6, with 235/55R19 sized examples used by the challenge car throughout the trial.

Kumho’s ECSTA tyre is notable for its minimal level of resonance noise, thanks to Kumho’s patented sound absorbing technology – dubbed K-Silent. This optimises the shape and properties of polyurethane foam materials placed within the tyre. This results in a marked reduction in the air vibration generated during contact with the road surface.

Kumho developed the K-Silent system back in 2014 and now holds patents for the unique design throughout the world. Other properties of PS71 EV that make it ideal for tyres intended for use on electric vehicles include low rolling resistance, strong anti-wear performance and excellent levels of grip.

Inspired by an endurance test completed by Sir Stirling Moss 70 years ago, the ‘Driven to Extremes Euro EV Marathon’ is understood to be the first time the route has been attempted in a fully electric vehicle as a continuous trip. With the support of Kumho Tyre, as well as Kia UK, the team departed on Sunday, 4th September at 15:00 and crossed the border into Portugal, at Vilar Formoso on Thursday, 8th September at 08:12. This marked the start and stop points for the timing – as per the original drive in 1952.

The team of three in the Kia EV6 worked to a strict rota, taking turns behind the wheel and then navigating, while the third rested. The only stops were made for driver swaps, refreshments and vehicle charging.

Speaking of the Kumho ECSTA and its role in the drive, Project Leader Mac Mackenney said:

“Ensuring that the team member on a rest cycle was able to sleep was vital to the safety of this project and, while an EV produces less vibration and noise than an ICE vehicle, road noise can be a problem. The team found that the Kia EV6 with the original fit ECSTA EV tyre delivered a pliant and quiet ride right across Europe. If it hadn’t gone smoothly, we couldn’t have bettered Sir Stirling’s time.”

Speaking of the successful challenge, Kumho Tyre (UK)’s Managing Director Keon Park said:

“Many congratulations to the Max Adventure team on achieving their aim and for beating their target time in the process. It was an amazing feat with which Kumho was delighted to be involved.”

The Euro EV Marathon
The ‘Driven to Extremes Euro EV Marathon’ was inspired by the adventure undertaken by Stirling Moss in 1952. A publicity stunt to promote the then-new Humber Super Snipe 4-door saloon, the legendary racing driver, along with three of his ‘fast friends’, were challenged to visit 15 European countries in less than five days.

2022’s challenge gave that journey a modern perspective, and concluded on World EV Day, September 9th. Travelling from Oslo to Lisbon, driving roughly 200-mile legs at a time, and using Europe’s public charging network throughout, the challenge used one of the most accomplished electric vehicles available today.

With a WLTP combined range of up to 328 miles on a single charge, the Kia EV6 ‘Air’ was the perfect car for the Driven To Extremes team to tackle the 3,174-mile marathon. With its spacious cabin and long wheelbase, the car provided comfort during this 89-hour drive, while its 800V ultra-rapid charging technology kept pit stops to a minimum. Capable of taking the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes when using a 350kW charger, or from 10 to 80 per cent in 1 hour 13 minutes using a 50kW charger, the Kia EV6 allowed the team to pick optimal stopping points along the way.

To ensure the team had the best possible chance of completing the challenge in time it also used ‘Kia Charge’. Providing easy access to chargers across all parts of the UK, Northern Ireland and Europe, ‘Kia Charge’ lets owners choose from 23 charge point operators in the UK via a single account, and dozens more across Europe. ‘Kia Charge’ provides instant access to more than 21,000 connectors across the UK – equivalent to approximately 70% of the national public infrastructure – and more than 400,000 across 29 European countries, all from a single account.

From its departure point at Kia’s Norwegian headquarters in Lørenskog on the outskirts of Oslo, the team of drivers used main roads and bridges to cover the 3,174 miles and the adventure was tracked at all times by a GPS system. The route trace is available via partner YB Tracking: https://yb.tl/evmarathon. The team of three took turns behind the wheel of the EV6, driving, resting and navigating – with stops made for driver swaps, team rest and vehicle charging. A support vehicle, also supplied by Kia, accompanied the EV6 to document the drive, carrying a photography and film crew.

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Effective from October 1, Gangseung ‘Tony’ Lee has been appointed as the new head of Kumho Tire Europe GmbH.

Lee has extensive experience of international management, marketing and sales within the sector, most recently as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing based at Kumho’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.

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All-season tyre test

Kumho has outstripped 30 rival manufacturers to take fifth place overall in Auto Bild’s latest all-season tyre test with its popular Solus 4S HA32 pattern. The test, that was carried out across two continents, is among the most comprehensive of its type, the results of which will be regarded as highly significant by both the European tyre trade and its consumers.

No less than 20 of the 35 entries were eliminated by the initial dry and wet weather braking contest and, while the ensuing qualifications caused some of the early leaders to drop down the order, Kumho’s consistent scoring in all conditions ultimately saw it rounding out the top five places. The Auto Bild testers particularly commended the HA32 for its stable handling, good traction and short braking distances on snow, low wear rate, and good economy.

Unlike some tyre tests, where the products are supplied by the manufacturers, those for the Auto Bild ones are covertly purchased by the magazine from regular retail outlets. The chosen size was 195/55R16, ie that specified for a high percentage of Ford Fiestas, Vauxhall Corsas etc, and therefore one of the most common within the European car parc. UK purchasers currently have the choice of some 70 sizes of Solus 4S HA32 for wheels of 14 to 20 inches in diameter.

Winter tyre test

Auto Bild has also commended Kumho for the performance of its WinterCraft WP52 pattern. Competing in a dedicated winter tyre test against no less than 55 rival products, the WP52 was accorded the title of Eco-Meister for not only gaining top marks for its cost over 1,000 kilometres, but achieving the joint highest mileage of all.

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Kumho Tyre UK and Tottenham Hotspur are running a ‘Guess Who?’ competition on their Facebook and Instagram platforms. Echoing the style of the BBC’s Question of Sport’s Mystery Guest slot, the challenge is to identify the four Tottenham Hotspur First Team players who are featured in ‘light’ disguise.

The competition is open to all, and entrants merely have to pick out each footballer from a series of video clips to have the chance of winning a pair of VIP match day tickets, or one of three signed Tottenham Hotspur shirts as runners-up prizes. Contestants simply need to visit www.kumhotyre.co.uk/gw22 and enter by 6pm on Monday, December 19, 2022.

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