Can you improve any car with the right tyres?

EV, hybrid, ICE… The car market is changing, and every different powertrain needs a tyre which can match its energy. Or does it?

It might not always feel like it, but the demand for EVs is still growing in the UK: multiplying 10x over the last half decade as the nation drives towards a zero-emissions future. This rise in electric cars has inevitably eaten into the share of petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles on the road — with Hybrid vehicles also taking a substantial bite of the powertrain pie  — but with over 50% of new registrations this year still pure ICE power, the picture has simply become more complex. 

And alongside this complexity on the vehicle side, has come the emergence of powertrain-dedicated tyres. But is there a tyre out there which can do it all?

Sticking to traditions

Ok, so let’s start with something a little bit niche — and now sadly defunct — to test that theory: the Kia Stinger.

As a thoroughbred high-performance ICE saloon, there are a handful of petrol and diesel Stinger variants out there, but it’s the 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 swansong which really pushes the model’s limit. Zooming from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, this was the fastest production spec Kia ever, until the EV6 GT stole both its spot in the brand’s line-up, and the record books, by shaving over a second off this time. Nonetheless, if an engine is pushing a model to limits like this, you need a tyre capable of translating this power to the tarmac.

Enter the Kumho PS72 range, containing both the ECSTA Sport and the enhanced ECSTA Sport S high-performance tyres, described as ‘an excellent fitment’ for petrol and diesel vehicles (and more, but no spoilers). 

So, what exactly makes this rubber ideal for the Stinger (aside from some Korean synergy) and other combustion-powered models? Well, first up, both tyres offer strong construction, providing high speed stability to keep those impressive acceleration figures right where you’d want them. But, like when Kia matched this hefty engine with Brembo brakes to ensure everything could be brought safely back down to a halt, Kumho followed that logic here too. Using a ‘max grip resin’ the ECSTA range now brings improved braking performance to the tune of 9% in the dry, and 10% in the wet — maximising the capabilites of ‘the most powerful calipers ever found on a Kia’.

Something completely different

So, we’ve got tyres which can handle a somewhat unorthodox, yet traditionally powered vehicle, but it’s time to flip the coin. This is where Kumho reveal that in addition to petrol and diesel, the ECSTA Sport and Sport S are also suitable for hybrid and full EV models — bringing the same benefits as they would for ICE vehicles, but with a little bit extra.

What does this actually mean though? Let’s take an award-winning SUV which covers both the hybrid and EV side of things to investigate: the Hyundai Kona. A bit of a trend-bucker as it was designed as an EV first, with other powertrain options added later, the Kona’s futuristic design does it’s best to symbolise its departure from tradition.

Estimates reckon that EVs average around an extra 300-400 kg over their ICE counterparts, so whether opting for a hybrid or fully-electric Kona, you’ll be looking at some additional weight courtesy of the battery — with the 65.4 kwh long-range option likely the heftiest addition. Now, this is where the wrong tyre may suffer from increased wear, especially when combined with the torque which an EV can run through them. 

Once again, step in the ECSTA Sport range, now showing its EV compatibility: boasting a distinctive zig-zag tread which can handle this combination of weight and traction, as well as a high load capacity from the reinforced construction. The result? A stable contact area which ensures wear remains even and in check, bringing longevity to match the Kona’s 319-mile EV range or 60+ mpg hybrid capabilities.

Of course, opt for the all-electric Kona, and the ‘living space’ interior — as comfortable and tech-laden as you’d expect from a contemporary SUV — now gets the bonus of being a serene, quiet perch. The ECSTA sports can take this serenity a step further too, packing ‘K-Silent’ technology to absorb road noise and keep things truly peaceful. It doesn’t get much more of a vibe match than that.

So, yes, you can supplement a car’s strengths through the correct tyre choice, whether petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric powered. But as proven by the Kumho ECSTA Sport and ECSTA Sport S, there are some tyres which can cover all the bases.