Autoblog

How low can you go? That's the big question in the tire-making industry, where profile sizes keep getting lower and lower. Sooner or later they're going to be spraying layers of rubber on a wheel with a pocket of air injected underneath. But in the meantime, Kumho has upped the ante (or lowered it, as the case may be) with its new 15 series tires, the lowest profile rubber on the market.

Wait, who? Okay, Kumho may not be as well known as Goodyear or Pirelli, but they've got an established history of innovation in tire technology – to varying degrees of usefulness – like scented, colored smoke and X-rated rubber. And while those may sound more like the stock list for the local "intimate apparel" store, it's things like that which have put Kumho on the map. The tires are being initially offered as upgrades for supercars like the Ferrari F430, Dodge Viper and Corvette Z06, and offer partial run-flat capability. Check out the press release after the jump and the images in the gallery below for more.

[Source: Kumho]

Click images to enlarge

Is the future of racing one populated with bamboo-framed cars with rubber components and magnetic propulsion? Well, according to Kumho Tire, yes. The design study seen here is called the Epoch, and it is the "blue sky" concept brainchild of Kumho designer Rob Dolton.

Epoch is his take on what an eco-friendly racer might look like and consist of, hence the frame made of grown bamboo (no carbon emissions), bodywork and interior made of recycled tire rubber (hey, it is a tire company's concept after all). It's driven by hub-mounted maglev units at each wheel, and the tire shape and tread patterns can be modified at will by sending electrical currents through the rubber. Very sci-fi. Very interesting. We will say this, though: that electro-magic tire technology sure would be handy to have when winter comes around. Snow tires at the touch of a button works for us! Read Kumho's press release after the jump.

[Source: Kumho]

In a story that seems to resurface every so often, Kumho is apparently ready to introduce the scented tires we first reported on back in 2005. The new Kumho Ecsta DX series is available in three different sizes and is engineered to smell like lavender instead of rubber. Later on, orange and jasmine scents will be introduced as well.

The fancy rubber is being targeted at female drivers of vehicles like the Camry, Accord, and other staid family carriers. Presumably, these women would rather shell out up to $138 a tire to get something a $1.29 Little Tree will provide. In fact, we see a new marketing opportunity for Kumho here. Never mind girly-scented tires for midsize boringmobiles. Instead, how about a cross-branded Kumho/Little Tree performance tire? Then, all drivers would need to do is shut off their nannyware traction control systems, get those wheels spinning and fill the air with the delicious, unmistakable scent of Vanillaroma! That, we could get behind.

Snark-free details in Kumho's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Kumho via Engadget]

It's been well over a year since Michelin unveiled its take on the future of the tire, the airless Tweel. The odd-looking invention pairs a replaceable outer rubber layer with a central alloy hub joined by polyurethane ribs. Judging by this video, it would appear that the tire manufacturer is continuing to develop its concept, testing it on a variety of vehicles in a number of different environments. Click on the link to get a glimpse of what might just be in your automotive future.

[Sources: FreshCreation.nl; Michelin]

(Appreciate the tip, Martijn)

 

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has announced plans to slash 1,500 jobs in an effort to save $50 million dollars. The world's largest tire company will reach those goals in part by shuttering plants in Britain and Poland.

Part of its restructuring efforts that began last September, the manufacturer will jettison 585 employees at its UK Goodyear Dunlop facility in Washington, and a smaller outpost in Wolverhampton will shed around 40 employees, leaving about 450 workers.

Additionally, Goodyear's Debica, Poland plant will stop making bicycle tires and inner tubes, pink-slipping 360 employees.

The rubber giant says that it expects to incur charges of around $105-115 million USD in the process of exacting the changes.

[Sources: The Australian; Associated Press]