Kumho’s ECSTA KU39 excels in tyre test
Wheels Magazine is highly respected by Australia’s car fraternity and has been providing drivers with authoritative news and views since 1953. The results of its annual tyre test are certainly eagerly awaited and the findings from this year’s event have caused quite a stir - the Kumho LE Sport KU39 finished a close third behind offerings from Europe’s two biggest tyre makers and ahead of well established and respected Japanese brands.
Wheels Magazine concluded that, “Third place for the Kumho is a great result, and it showed up some big names from Bridgestone and Dunlop.” The ECSTA KU39 finished just 29 percentage points behind the winning Michelin Pilot Sport 3, and 1.5 percentage points from the Continental ContiSportContact2. The KU39 topped the wet braking challenge and was ranked second in both the wet cornering and dry slalom tests, which resulted in an overall score of 96.5 percent.
Commenting on the success, the managing director of Kumho Tyres Australia Edmund Cho said: “The result is an undisputed confirmation that Kumho has arrived as a tyre brand, delivering tyres that perform at their highest levels at affordable prices. The performance of the ECSTA KU39 in the Wheels test shows it is a world class performance tyre capable of holding its own against any of the acknowledged industry leaders, and underlines the fact that Kumho is now one of the world’s top tyre brands.”
The tests were carried out under controlled conditions with well-known Australian racing driver David Sieders putting the selected Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Kumho, Michelin, Nexen and Sumitomo products through their paces from behind the wheel of a new Kia Optima at the Eastern Creek raceway skidpan, Sydney.
Kumho has already established its motorsport credentials in Australia, winning the contracts to supply control tyres for the Bosch Australian Rally Championship, Australian Formula 3 Championship and Shannons V8 Touring Car Championship. Most recently, British rally star Mark Higgins won round two of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (the International Rally of Queensland) using Kumho tyres.
The ECSTA LE Sport KU39 is an asymmetric ultra-high performance tyre developed using Kumho’s latest KADAS tyre structure simulation technology and tested at Europe’s most demanding proving grounds. The Y speed rated product’s key selling points are its enhanced handling and wet braking performance as well as its controlled ride and refinement. Its high grip tread compound ensures maximum traction and braking, while its specially designed casing provides impressive stability at speed.
For further information on Kumho and its products, visit kumhotyre.co.uk.
