KUMHO Takes REIFEN VIisitors ‘BACK TO THE FUTURE’
The ‘Coop-Car 3 for free’ project was officially launched at the Atlantic Hotel, Frankfurt on May 25, just metres from the Kumho Stand A40M, Hall 3, REIFEN Messe Essen.
Complementing its previously announced new tyre products, Kumho’s involvement in the REIFEN exhibition, Essen, May 24-27 also included the launch of an innovative, environmentally-friendly concept city car – the ‘Coop-Car 3 for free’. It is based on a Kia Picanto and powered by 0.9-litre 3-cylinder, 2-stroke common-rail diesel engine capable of delivering a fuel consumption of just 2.5l/100km.
Assisting the achievement of this remarkable figure are the vehicle’s Kumho KH27 ECOWING ES01 environmentally-friendly tyres. They were especially chosen for their low rolling resistance and low noise level, following the achievement of top marks in these disciplines in a tyre test carried out by ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), Europe’s largest motor club – the results of which were published in the March 2015 edition of ADAC Motorwelt.
The working Group behind the Coop was established by the consulting company TCU² and co-ordinated by the Friedberg-based Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences. It investigated the benefits of a 2-stroke engine for modern passenger cars and how they could be combined with innovations in regard to engine management, charging, fuel injection, fuel and lubricants in order to achieve the aim of minimal NOx and CO₂ emissions and low noise. A range of renowned industry names are also involved with the project, including Shell and Bosch.
The inclusion of ‘3 for free’ in the Coop’s name is a nod to the DKW 3=6 of 1953. This also featured a 3-cylinder, 2-stroke engine which DKW reasoned worked twice as hard as the equivalent four-stroke unit – hence the ‘3=6’ nomenclature for their car and the ‘3 for free’ claim for both that and the exciting new Coop concept vehicle.
For further information on Kumho and its products for road and competition use see
www.kumhotyre.co.uk