Kumho performs well again in latest summer tyre test

The latest Auto Express annual summer tyre test featured the products of 11 top tyre manufacturers, including Kumho, whose Ecsta HS52 won two of the 10 disciplines outright, and was one of only three entries to score 100 per cent in two or more exercises.

The test was conducted using a Volkswagen Golf, shod with tyres of the ever-popular 205/55R16 size. The two disciplines in which the HS52 outstripped all rival entries were those of ‘dry handling’ and ‘wet circular track’.

It also achieved in excess of 90 per cent of the available marks for ‘wet braking’, ‘wet handling’, ‘straight aquaplaning’, ‘dry braking’ and ‘interior noise’.

In 2021, Kumho bettered 52 rival tyre manufacturers to take outright victory in Auto Bild magazine’s summer tyre test with its Ecsta HS51 high-performance pattern. That winning product is still produced to service niche sizes and OE fitments, but has otherwise now largely been succeeded by Ecsta HS52.

Featuring an innovative high-grip tread compound, asymmetric tread design and 3D interlocking sipes, the HS52 offers superior braking on wet and dry surfaces, better wet grip, and increased mileage when compared to its predecessor, according to Kumho.

It is currently available in some 46 sizes to fit rim widths from 14 to 18 inches in diameter.

Another recent accolade
The Ecsta HS52 is no newcomer to success in summer tyre tests, having received a ‘Good’ rating in the February 2023 edition conducted by German motoring association ADAC. The tyre beat 42 rival products to finish eighth overall out of 50.