Kumho

The Korean tyre manufacturer Kumho has developed a tyre made from 80% sustainable materials. The tyre replaces petrochemicals with sustainably sourced and recycled materials. The company has a target to develop products made entirely of sustainable materials by 2045.

With budget brands now accounting for 38 per cent of 17- and 18-inch tyre purchases in the UK, it is more important than ever to recognise products that deliver the handling and stopping performance required by executive and performance saloons. To identify our favourite Performance Tyres of 2023, WhatTyre has looked at the three most popular sizes for 17-inch and larger rim diameters, 225/45 R17Y, 225/40 R18Y and 205/45 R17W. As was the case in 2022, this year we have separated tyres aimed at the highest echelon of the performance car world into their own category – Supersports Tyres.

Eco tyres and EV tyres have a very close relationship in that both focus on delivering high energy efficiency and high longevity. As we mention in our recommendations for electric car tyres, the lines are blurred considerably by the broad range of “EV-Ready” (to borrow Bridgestone’s term) products now on the market. While the specialist EV tyres generally start with performance principles tuned specifically towards enhancing range, reducing noise and providing greater longevity, the tyres on our eco tyre list have evolved from generations of touring tyres for cars. This means that they are generally well-rounded products, with features that promote enjoyable, comfortable driving as well as improving efficiency.

Hyundai has selected the Kumho PorTran KC53 as the standard tyre for its new Staria MPV. The KC53 was primarily designed for European vans and LCVs, and it is an upgraded version of this pattern that Kumho Tire is now supplying in two sizes – 215/65R17C 108/105H and 235/55R18 104H XL – for fitment on the Staria.

Renault’s new Arkana will exclusively ride on Kumho tyres. Depending on model, the hybrid compact SUV will wear Kumho Ecsta HS51 tyres in sizes 215/60R17 or 215/55R18.

We’re creeping towards the end of lockdown and a year of minimal driving, and more than a few people will want a new set of tyres before hitting the road this summer. While the cheapest products out there may dazzle with their rock-bottom prices, it can be much more economical in the long term – not to mention safer – to look at your options. The inaugural WhatTyre awards search the market for the best-performing, safest and most efficient tyres to fit in spring and summer 2021.

When browsing tyre test results it’s sometimes easy to gain the impression that the same premium brands dominate proceedings. But this isn’t always the case. Auto Bild has released the results of its 2021 summer tyre test, and the biggest names in the business needed to clear space on the top step of the winners’ podium for an ambitious competitor. The runner-up premium tyre was also given a run for its money by the third-placed candidate, a lower-priced product from the same manufacturer.

We won’t see this vehicle/tyre combination in the UK, but it's nevertheless a red-letter occurrence for Kumho. For the first time ever, Audi is equipping one of its models with Kumho tyres.

This year the Mini celebrates its 60th anniversary. To bring things up to date, we have pitted the best tyres in our 100,000 item+ database against each other to find the best five Mini tyres.