Kumho Tire has been selected as an original equipment (OE) supplier for the all-electric ŠKODA Enyaq and Elroq, providing its ECSTA PS71 SUV tire in two EV-compatible fitments. The tire will be offered in 235/55 R19 and 255/50 R19 sizes for the Czech automaker’s battery-electric SUVs. The supply agreement extends Kumho’s presence across Volkswagen Group’s MEB-based electric lineup.
Highlights
- ECSTA PS71 SUV selected as OE fitment for ŠKODA Enyaq and Elroq
- Two EV-specific sizes supplied: 235/55 R19 and 255/50 R19
- Tire features asymmetrical tread pattern and reinforced structure for heavier SUV applications
- Deal expands Kumho’s OE footprint with European premium EV manufacturers
Tire Specifications and Design
The ECSTA PS71 SUV sits within Kumho’s performance-oriented ECSTA range, developed for higher-powered SUV applications. According to Kumho, the tire is engineered to deliver handling and braking performance across dry and wet conditions.
The SUV variant builds on the existing PS71 platform with modifications for larger vehicles. These include a reinforced construction, an enlarged contact patch intended to improve braking, and changes aimed at fuel efficiency. The tire uses an asymmetrical tread pattern paired with hybrid compound technologies, which the company says supports high-speed stability across varied road surfaces.
Context for ŠKODA’s EV Lineup
The Enyaq and Elroq form the core of ŠKODA’s battery-electric portfolio. Both models are built on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform at the Mladá Boleslav plant in the Czech Republic. The Elroq reached 100,000 units produced within its first year of series production, ranking as the second best-selling battery-electric vehicle in Europe during the first three quarters of 2025. The Enyaq family underwent a significant refresh for the 2025 model year, introducing improved aerodynamics with drag coefficients as low as 0.245 and WLTP range of up to 365 miles, subject to real-world conditions.
EV tires generally require different engineering priorities than conventional fitments, including higher load ratings to accommodate battery weight, lower rolling resistance to preserve range, and tread designs tuned for the instant torque characteristic of electric drivetrains. Kumho has not disclosed whether the OE specification for ŠKODA includes foam noise-reduction technology or other EV-specific treatments applied to its dedicated EV tire lines.
Kumho’s OE Strategy
The ŠKODA supply deal extends Kumho’s existing OE relationships across the Volkswagen Group. The South Korean manufacturer has previously supplied tires to Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Hyundai, and Kia.
“Our supply of OE tyres to the automaker is a testament to our quality and technological prowess,” said Insoo Kim. “We will continue to leverage our world-class quality and technology to expand our OE tyre supply for global premium carmakers.”
Kumho noted that the ECSTA PS71 has received “Good” ratings in summer SUV tire magazine tests, though the company did not specify which publications or testing protocols produced those ratings. The manufacturer has also expanded OE supply arrangements with several automakers for their EV programs, though specific flagship models beyond the ŠKODA agreement were not named in the announcement.
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