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Kumho Fortis concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Korean tire manufacturer Kumho, our future may yet be filled with SUVs after all. Unlike yesteryear's gas-guzzling behemoths, though, tomorrow's multi-purpose vehicles will be fully electric and powered by lithium ion battery packs. Being a tire company, it comes as little surprise that Kumho's Fortis concept SUV would feature body panels molded from recycled rubber for an eco-friendly twist. Another interesting exterior bit are the front light clusters inspired by Korean glass sculptures.

Underneath the SUV-shaped body sits a modular platform with one chassis-mounted 100-horsepower electric motor per wheel. This arrangement allows for an unlimited number of drivetrain possibilities - front- rear- or all-wheel drive are all possible and traction control, stability control and hill descent control can be baked right in via the software that controls the motors.

Perhaps the coolest bit of future-tech in the Fortis design study are the tires. When traveling off-road, the tires deflate, leaving a series of metal lugs exposed for ultimate traction. When it's time to hit the road, air cavities in the tires expand, covering the metal lugs so as not to cause harrowing spark-induced moments of panic.

Kumho claims that Rob Dolton, the mind behind the Fortis concept, is the only full-time vehicle designer currently employed by a tire company. His job is to explore future automotive technologies and to help Kumho plan next-generation tires. Note to Kumho: We'll gladly take a set of these units for our next off-road excursion.


Gallery: Kumho Fortis Concept

kumho-fortis-1kumho-fortis-2kumho-fortis-3kumho-fortis-4kumho-fortis-5

[Source: Kumho]

Continue reading Kumho Fortis - What if a tire manufacturer made an electric SUV?

Kumho Fortis - What if a tire manufacturer made an electric SUV? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>greenkumhokumho fortiskumho fortis conceptkumho tiresKumhoFortisKumhoFortisConceptKumhoTiresrob doltonRobDoltonFri, 31 Jul 2009 07:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19114427/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/31/kumho-fortis-what-if-a-tire-manufacturer-made-an-electric-suv/19114427/article-detail.xml 19114427 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/kumho-fortis-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/kumho-fortis-lead.jpg <![CDATA[Burned Rubber: Kumho delays holiday bonuses indefinitely]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/burned-rubber-kumho-delays-holiday-bonuses-indefinitely/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/burned-rubber-kumho-delays-holiday-bonuses-indefinitely/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/burned-rubber-kumho-delays-holiday-bonuses-indefinitely/#commentsFiled under: ,



Rubber factory workers in South Korea haven't had a very happy holiday season this year, and they can blame it on the negative traits of the trickle-down effect.

Because Hyundai/Kia has been hit as hard as any other automaker in this economic crisis, business has been down for the country's second-largest tire maker, Kumho, as well. Due to the resulting dearth in liquidity, Kumho Tire Co. has just announced that it is unable to pay its workers their annual bonus. At 2.5 million won ($1,883) per worker and 3000 workers waiting for their cash, that's a lot of money, and Kumho says they don't have it... and don't know when they will.

Looks like it's tire-swings all around for Junior next Christmas, too...

[Source: TradingMarkets.com]

Burned Rubber: Kumho delays holiday bonuses indefinitely originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kumhokumho tireskumho tyresKumhoTiresKumhoTyresMon, 05 Jan 2009 14:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1417931/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/01/05/burned-rubber-kumho-delays-holiday-bonuses-indefinitely/1417931/article-detail.xml 1417931 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/kumho-tire-closeup-580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/kumho-tire-closeup-580.jpg -1 2