Kumho creates unique eco tyres for Qazana’s Geneva debut

Kumho is responsible for the unique, ultra low rolling resistance tyres fitted to the Nissan Qazana concept being debuted at this week’s Geneva Motor Show.

Strong eco credentials
To ensure optimum driving economy and minimum CO2 emissions, Kumho has used a number of cutting edge design tools. The tyre compound uses nano materials to ensure ultra low rolling resistance without any sacrifice in wet grip or wear. Tread profile and side wall section have been optimised to ensure the blend of enhanced off-road ability and excellent on-road handling that Nissan designers specified for the development.

British input to a British product

The development of the tyres has been orchestrated by Rob Dolton of Kumho’s UK-based European Technical Centre (KETC), which has worked on the project in conjunction with Nissan Design Europe for the last five months. The Qazana is a preview of Nissan’s new small crossover concept that will be built at the company’s Sunderland plant in the north of England.

Concept tyres for concept cars

Kumho is frequently called upon to design and produce prototype tyres for the concept cars of the world’s major motor manufacturers. The work is spearheaded by the company’s R&D headquarters in Korea, operating in conjunction with its technical facilities in the UK and the US.

Rob Dolton is the only qualified vehicle designer employed within the tyre industry and is retained specifically to explore future technologies for road and track vehicles, and the tyres they run on. Other concept vehicles on which Kumho’s innovative technology has recently been showcased include the:

Three Kia SOUL concept vehicles (the Diva, Burner and Searcher) – Geneva 2008
Holden Coupe 60 – Melbourne 2008
GMC Denali XT hybrid pickup – Chicago 2008
Bio-ethanol powered Mazda Furai – Detroit 2008
GM Groove and Trax – New York 2007
Chevrolet Ultra WTCC – Paris 2006

Said KETC’s managing director Roger Jenkins, “Concept vehicles are great platforms for inspiration – a commodity we should make the most of, particularly in these difficult times for the automotive industry. KETC relished the opportunity to work closely with Nissan on this concept programme and it gave us the ideal platform to demonstrate the considerable portfolio of skills and invention we can share with the motor industry.”

For more information on Kumho or its products, visit kumhotyre.co.uk