The Ecsta 4X II (KU22) is Kumho’s second-generation affordably priced Ultra High Performance All-Season tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and performance sedans that want to be able to forget the forecast. Compared to its predecessor, Ecsta 4X II tires feature a further advanced tread compound to increase handling in wet and wintry conditions along with longer treadwear. The Ecsta 4X II is designed to combine responsive handling, capable cornering and year-round traction to go in dry, wet and wintry conditions, even in light snow.
The compound used for Ecsta 4X II tires combine a polymer blend ratio that increases tread life and wintertime performance, new resins to increase flexibility in low temperatures and high-dispersion silica to increase grip in wet and snowy conditions. This compound is molded into an asymmetric tread design that features large outboard shoulders and intermediate tread blocks for quick response and sporty handling. Notched center ribs provide continuous road contact that helps reduce noise while enhancing straight-line tracking and cornering stability. Four circumferential and multiple lateral grooves enhance hydroplaning resistance and wet traction while strategically placed sipes increase the number of biting edges to promote traction in snow.
The tire’s internal structure features twin high-tensile steel belts and spirally wrapped jointless cap ply reinforcements that stabilize the tread area to enhance handling, high-speed durability and uniformity. The tire’s casing was developed using Kumho’s ESCOT “tension control optimization” technology that allows engineers to tune the bead, sidewall and shoulder tension to optimize footprint pressure distribution and uniformity. This results in less flexing and cooler operating temperatures that improve durability.
Founder at Tiresout. Used to be working as an engineer at Bridgestone Tires Akron Technical Center. The responsibilities included but were not limited to technical computing, indoor & outdoor testing of new tires.
