Kumho tyres

01st November 2007

Here’s a revolutionary new concept – a sports car with ‘smart’ tyres that adapt to the conditions and your driving style. Called the Epoch, this futuristic single-seater is the work of Korean tyre maker Kumho.

The wheels are shod in a special electro-active polymer that has vari­able properties. Passing an electric current through the tyres alters their shape, tread pattern and grip. How­ever, this isn’t the Epoch’s sole innovation. Its chassis is made from bamboo, while the body panels are constructed from recycled rubber.

Power comes from magnetic levi­tation units in the hubless wheels – technology that’s already proven in the railway industry to create zero friction. As well as these futuristic innovations, there’s one feature that is available now – scen­ted rubber. For an additional £5 over the cost of Kumho’s standard tyres, buyers can have rubber embedded with heat-resistant lavender oils.

The fragrance can be detected within the car and outside from up to 25 feet away. At the moment, the option is only available in the US.