Kumho’s Smasher and Sealant tires have been honored in the 2016 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) – the third design accolade for the designs, following success in the Red Dot and iF International Forum Design awards schemes.
The Smasher design was evolved in collaboration with the SsangYong Motor Company and is optimized for driving in extreme conditions, through features such innovations as suction plates and grinder-shaped tread blocks. The former enable the vehicle to ascend steep slopes by creating a vacuum between the tire and the ground, while the latter permit safe driving over even the roughest terrain by crushing uneven areas that could otherwise damage a tire.
As the name suggests, the Sealant tire automatically seals itself when penetrated by debris, thereby preventing loss of air pressure. The IDEA award is the latest accolade for this product, which has already been bestowed with the Red Dot, Good Design (Japan) and Good Design (Korea) awards.
“We are very proud to now have the top three international design awards under our belt,” said Chung Taek-Gyun, executive vice president at Kumho Tire and head of its R&D division, “and will continue to build our capabilities in all areas of tire technology, including design, in order to open a new chapter for the global tire industry.”
