Maybe this will inspire you Dr. Sameer:
h1Kumho Fortis Concept/h1
Created by tire manufacturer Kumho, the Fortis Concept is a study for a futuristic electric SUV. Among the features are the tires with adjustable tread pattern, body panels manufactured from recycled tire rubber and a modular chassis with four electric motors.
Designed by Kumho's in-house designer, Rob Dolton, the Fortis Concept adopts a revolutionary tire technology which allows the driver to adjust the tires tread pattern depending on the driving conditions (on-road and off-road).
The tires feature metal biters in their tread that optimise off-road performance – when employed, it is primarily they that grip the terrain for maximum traction and durability. For on-road use, the tire cavity is inflated.
This expands the rubber areas of the tire to cover the metal biters, offering high levels of comfort, noise performance and road-biased dynamic ability. With this technology, one really can achieve the best of all worlds.
The exterior design is characterized by an aggressive stance combined with aesthetic touches such as light clusters influenced by Korean glass sculpture.
The bumper sections, doors, hood, front wings and rear hatch which are manufactured from recycled tire rubber.
The vehicle adopts a modular chassis and drivetrain concept that will be developed through subsequent designs, the platform allowing for different vehicles to be easily packaged around common parts.
The drivetrain comprises four 100hp chassis-mounted motors – one powering each wheel when the vehicle is in 4-wheel drive mode.
This system provides ultimate off-road traction, ESP and hill descent, while the motor configuration allows for easy transition between 4WD, 2WD, FWD and RWD. The in-wheel regenerative braking system gives optimum on-road driving response.
Power comes from a Lithium ion battery pack which can be used in two ways:
- Recharged – at home, work or recharge stations
- Exchanged – old batteries replaced by new ones on longer journey
"SUVs [...] will have to change dramatically if they are to survive ever greener vehicular legislation. They will also have to provide a better balance of on- and off-road ability. "
h2About the Designer/h2
Rob Dolton "is the only qualified vehicle designer employed within the world’s tire industry".
He works at Kumho’s European Technical Centre in Birmingham specifically to explore future technologies for road and track vehicles, and the tires on which they run.
A graduate of the internationally renowned Automotive Design Department of Coventry University, he worked for Fiat Advanced Design in Turin before joining Kumho in 2005.
Dolton’s previous vehicle concepts include the Epoch Concept (2007), a bamboo-chassied single-seat racecar powered by four Maglev units.
For further information on Kumho visit www.kumhotire.co.uk.
Do see the Kumho Epoch Concept as well! (Y)(Y)
Kumho has plans for the future..Maybe just a little while later after the Economies stabilize and Kumho will then announce its entry in the Vehicle market!!
