Presentation of the new Kumho sports tire
The company Kumho Tire held a presentation in Shanghai for the new sports tire Kumho EnnoV Sport (V703), which, like other models in this line already presented on the Korean market, was developed specifically for owners of vehicles using new energy sources (NEV).
According to Jeon Il-taek, President and CEO of Kumho, in 2023, the rapid growth of the NEV segment in China continued, with their market share exceeding 32%. "The new EnnnoV tire line was created with the strategic importance of the Chinese market in mind, and the tires will be the first in the industry to have the HL (High Load) marking and a noise reduction function in all mass-produced sizes, making them the best choice for NEV owners," he added.
The HL marking means that the tires have a higher load capacity compared to models with the XL (Extra Load) designation, and Kumho adds that the new design with high-strength breaker and carcass layers increases its strength and reduces the likelihood of damage when used in harsh conditions, such as when driving over potholes. Additionally, the sidewall and bead design has been improved to increase acceleration efficiency, taking into account the instantly available torque of electric vehicles.
To reduce noise, a sound-absorbing material insert is used (the technology is called K-Silent Ring and will be applied in the production of tires with a diameter of 18 inches or more), and it is reported that resonant noise has been reduced by more than 8%, while the tread pattern has also been optimized to improve acoustic comfort. Additionally, the even distribution of loads in the contact patch increases the tire's lifespan, and wear resistance has been improved by 15%.
Since the tires are designed for NEV owners, special attention was paid to reducing rolling resistance, and Kumho claims that the EnnoV Sport can increase the range of electric vehicles by 3% between charges, while the new rubber compound improves traction and handling on both dry and wet roads.
Kumho also reported that they have already received orders for 15,000 new tires, and last year the company showed its best results in China in almost 10 years, made possible by the "high technical level of products created with the latest market trends in mind".
The presentation was also attended by Chai Yunsen, Chairman of the Doublestar Group (which has controlled Kumho since 2018), who noted that the release of new tires demonstrates the results of the joint efforts of the two companies. "In the future, Doublestar will continue to provide full support to Kumho Tire and use the company's efficient business model in independent mode," he said. "We will also promote Kumho's rapid development in China and increase investments in research and development, production, etc., so that the company can achieve an even more significant breakthrough in the local market".
The Kumho EnnoV Sport tires have been presented in 26 sizes from 205/50 R17 to 265/45 R21. In Korea, the all-season Kumho EnnoV Premium tires are also already available, and in the future, the EnnoV Supermile model with increased mileage and the EnnoV Winter winter tires are planned to be added to the line. Earlier, another Korean company, Hankook, also presented a full line of tires for electric vehicles, using the iON brand in this segment.