At the 2013 Kumho Tires Dealer Meeting in Cancun, Mexico, Dec. 6-10, 2012, Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc. announced two new replacement tires for 2013.
In the first quarter of the year the company will launch the Kumho Sense KR26 all-season touring tire. A yet-to-be-named new replacement for the Ecsta AST UHP tire will be launched in Q3 2013.
The Kumho Sense touring tire is positioned below the Kumho Solus KR21. The H-rated tire will be available in 28 sizes ranging from 13- to 17-inch rim diameters. It features a symmetric pattern and will come with a 40,000-mile warranty.
John Mosby, Kumho’s product planning coordinator, said the design features of the Sense include circumferential grooves for water evacuation and good grip, and a full-depth sipe system for snow traction.
Mosby also told dealers that the Sense’s multiple lateral grooves evacuate water for traction, and its variable pitch tread block offers a quiet ride.
Kumho may not yet know the name of the Ecsta AST’s replacement, but Mosby was able to tell dealers that it will be available in 27 sizes ranging from 15 to 18 inches with a V rating. The high-performance all-season tire will feature a directional tread pattern and will come with a 55,000-mile warranty. It will be positioned below the Ecsta 4X (KU22).
Mosby said it will have a directional tread design that maintains low noise throughout the life of the tire. Heavy sipe density on shoulder and tread blocks and large cross grooves will provide traction. A balanced tread compound will offer long mileage, while variable pitch shoulder blocks offer performance with low noise.
Kumho also had good news for its commercial dealers. Initiatives include a renewed focus on medium radial truck tires and the new KMD41 mixed service drive tire. It replaces the KFD04.
The KMD41 is designed for use on dump trucks, cement mixers and garbage trucks. It has a maximum speed of 65 mph, which is up from the KFD04’s 55 mph. The tire’s compound has been updated for better cut and chip resistance, and it is available in sizes 11R22.5 and 11R24.5.
