Paul Tan's Automotive Industry News

Kumho unveils 22 inch ultra low profile tyre!

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Kumho 15-Series Tyre

These tyres are definitely suited for the kind of pimped out rides that are making its debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this week. Kumho has just unveiled what they claim is the world’s first 15-series profile tyre for 22 inch alloy wheels. The Kumho ECSTA SPT KU31 comes in a 385/15ZR22 size. Kumho says it has used computer simulation technology to optimise the ultra low profile sidewall structure in order to prevent the formation of standing waves or ripples. These problems can occur due to heat build-up at high speeds. Kumho also says the tyres have semi-run flat capability, though they did not go into detail what exactly semi-run flat means.

23 Comments »

  1. hybridmind said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 8:23 am

    Wah look at the size.. 22 can’t even fit to my gen2, if it do how can don’t have money to buy oil any way, that oil eater for me.
    Nice information really, it may be used for drag race. As always Thanks PAUL

  2. jamsbong said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 8:40 am

    I think semi flat means the tire can tolerate low pressure. So you can use the tire even when it is almost flat. like 10psi or something, it will still work.

    Hard to imagine this will be good for performance as the tire is bound to be heavy due to the thick walls to ensure strong structure and the huge (thus heavy rim) is gonna bog down the car speed.

    Moreover, it will be a bumpy ride….

    Definitely only for pimp rides.

  3. Paul Tan said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 8:45 am

    I think they’re meant to be used on pimped out SUVs.

  4. raptorclans said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 9:01 am

    I agree paul… SUVs can usually tolerate large wheels :P

  5. armandd said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 9:47 am

    i bet later they’ll use 5mm thick rubber for 24inch rims, haha..

  6. maxtek said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 10:14 am

    Yea, but even on SUVs, the wheels seem pretty “thick”, scary… lol…

  7. Jaybond said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 10:20 am

    Possibly this tire is meant for supercars with superfat rear tires like Lambo Murcie, Ferrari Enzo, souped-up Porsche GT2 and so forth..

  8. hybridmind said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 11:20 am

    I think that was big, but while I read autoblog just now, i was moved. There are Hummer H2 using Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico 315/30R30. What a big wheel. don’t know why it was made for…

  9. rexis said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 11:30 am

    I looked hard to find the edge of a 2nd tire before i realized that its one tire.

    Drag race specialized tire, thats it. Wonder how it will affect turning ability.

  10. qozhx said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 11:32 am

    not suitable for malaysia road….
    even 40 & 35 series u’ll cry if you hit a pot hole…
    to many pot holes & uneven surface of d road…
    just like our VIP’s faces….
    ngehngehngeh…

  11. torque said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 12:08 pm

    Massive nyer but only 15mm thickness?! Anyone slap those tyres in Malaysia is crazy wan…sure gonna bengkok kaw kaw their precious rims if hit pot holes! I used to put 40mm on my 17″ TRD rims pun boleh bengkok!!

    p/s: Paul, what about my suggestion on the ‘Tyres Reviews’ segment?

  12. pirate said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 12:50 pm

    Hmmm, wonder how this new UHP Kumho overcomes aquaplaning tendency seeing its super-wide section and ultra-low profile dimensions…

  13. bolo said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 1:31 pm

    might as well make tyres by painting the rubber on the rim…that will be mother of all the low profile tyres :)

  14. theanswer said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 1:47 pm

    better wrap any rims with postmen rubber band..

  15. kei9 said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 1:50 pm

    what the…

    Get ready for 50’s next time.

  16. mokkf82 said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 3:07 pm

    Not practical in M’sia road condition la. One step to the “super” path holes, the whole Tyre & Rim gone! Boleh buang……!~

  17. ALPINA Bukard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 4:21 pm

    super firm ride i guess

  18. mitlanevo said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 4:46 pm

    my god……. just 15, terrible…

  19. csv said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 5:05 pm

    semi run flat as in, will run ok for a while, after that EXPLODE.

    or, in our case here. run over pothole, those expensive rims are gonna go to scrap.

  20. Xx- Ferrari -xX said,

    November 5, 2008 @ 7:14 pm

    seems like this tyre is not designed for normal cars !!!!

  21. ALPINA Bukard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG said,

    November 6, 2008 @ 10:20 am

    looks very wide

  22. davv said,

    November 18, 2008 @ 11:22 am

    ya..it should be for SUV since Mazda CX-9 already using 20″ rims…

  23. richard67 said,

    November 11, 2009 @ 10:12 pm

    amazing technology by Kumho.

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