Finally: Scented Tire That Can Solve All Our Other Problems!

[HiroY]

Hi gang,

I heard about this on a recent radio show...now I've seen it all! But then, I started thinking of the problems this could solve for some of the more humorous 'issues' I've seen posted by folks on this forum (thanks for keeping me entertained with these threads during my winter hibernation season!):

> Having trouble with your female significant other liking your Elise? Or taking rides with you? Lavender tires might just do the trick!

> For you single owners out there...Just think of the gals coming up to you and your car now: "My, your car sure does smell nice!"...or "Let's burn some rubber baby - I just love how it smells!"

I'm sure you all can think of many more applications...Perhaps we should rally Kumho to build these in our tire sizes!

*****

PRESS RELEASE: KUMHO Introduces World’s First “Aroma Tire” For Select Passenger Vehicles U.S. market will carry limited lavender tires, and later, orange and jasmine scents KUMHO Tire USA…December 21, 2006…announces the introduction of the world’s first fragrance automotive tire, the ECSTA DX. The project is the “fruition” of more than a year’s worth of research and development to deliver an alluring aroma tire that replaces the normal “black rubber” smell with heat-resistant oils in the scent of lavender, and in later versions, neroli (orange) or jasmine. Visitors to www.kumhotireusa.com can find the nearest Discount Tire store or TireRack.com will ship them for installation. According to Rick Brennan, Brand Director for KUMHO, the company is selling the DX aroma tire to help build brand awareness and highlight KUMHO’s tire technology. The tire is targeted at female consumers who drive such sedans as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Subaru Outback, Chrysler Sebring and Ford Taurus. In addition to a unique aroma, the ECSTA DX is engineered to deliver low noise levels and ride characteristics on par with the leading tire brands. Ride comfort is maintained throughout the life of the tire through the use of tread elements designed to provide uniform linear stiffness. Optimized pitch sequence and variable pitch lengths help minimize noise, while a straight center rib provides high-speed stability. The DX features four wide grooves that help evacuate water, while a silica compound improves all-weather performance and wet traction. High tensile steel belts and a jointless nylon cap ply also help improve noise, ride comfort and durability, while an undertread reduces unwanted heat buildup for consistent performance. The ECSTA DX Aroma tire will be sold through Discount Tire stores and TireRack.com starting in the first quarter of 2007 in three sizes: 205/60R16 (MSRP $119), 215/60R16 (MSRP $125) and 235/60R16 (MSRP $138). The tires can be delivered and affixed to passenger vehicles at a KUMHO tire dealer. [Source: Kuhmo via Autoblog]

[JnC]

My respect for Kumho right now after reading that: -10

[Brennon]

Originally Posted by JnC

My respect for Kumho right now after reading that: -10

Why? They're a tire company. They sell tires. If making certain ones smell nice for the ladies sells more tires, then good for them.

[JnC]

Originally Posted by Brennon

Why? They're a tire company. They sell tires. If making certain ones smell nice for the ladies sells more tires, then good for them.

Ok. Forget the -10. I'll make it simpler: I'll never buy Kumho now for anything.

When I buy a tire for a performance car, I want a tire that they plowed their R&D money into making it stick on the road. The fact that they are wasting their development money by throwing it into fragrance makes me question their seriousiness and resolve to design tires that will keep my car planted on terra firma.

It's akin to buying a audio sound system because it "looks good". Misplaced values.

[NMRJock]

Originally Posted by JnC

Ok. Forget the -10. I'll make it simpler: I'll never buy Kumho now for anything.

When I buy a tire for a performance car, I want a tire that they plowed their R&D money into making it stick on the road. The fact that they are wasting their development money by throwing it into fragrance makes me question their seriousiness and resolve to design tires that will keep my car planted on terra firma.

It's akin to buying a audio sound system because it "looks good". Misplaced values.

I'm sure they have R&D people devoted to making them stickier too. But all their projects are going to be designed to sell more, and I'll bet this will.

[Brennon]

Well the way I see it...if they sell more tires to the masses, they'll have more $$ for R&D where it counts.

[RacyTracy]

Maybe I'm the exception, but I don't care if my tires smell good.

[mrluky]

This is for drifters. Some other company makes tires that give off different color smoke.

Go around the long sweeper shooting a fruity scent to the fans&judges or a red trail of tire smoke.

[DreamCar]

I love the smell of burnt tires in the morning.

Hey, maybe they'll do an 'Apocolypse Now' theme & have napalm scented tires...

[mrluky]

Just searched, it is Kumho for the red smoke, too.

[Darth G-F]

Originally Posted by JnC

Ok. Forget the -10. I'll make it simpler: I'll never buy Kumho now for anything.

When I buy a tire for a performance car, I want a tire that they plowed their R&D money into making it stick on the road. The fact that they are wasting their development money by throwing it into fragrance makes me question their seriousiness and resolve to design tires that will keep my car planted on terra firma.

It's akin to buying a audio sound system because it "looks good". Misplaced values.

Then why wouldn't you buy Khumo tires? The V700 is the stickiest tire this side of a Hoosier and will cost you much less. A V710 is almost on par with Hoosier and still cost much less. The Azenis series is a very stiff and very sticky street tire that is as cheap as tires go.

The fact Khumo plans on making nice smelling tires is probably just to show off how good they are at making tires. "We are so good at making tires, we can them make smell like orange."

Marketing guys are probably calling the shot with this one. But don't be fooled, Khumo makes very impressive tires that stick like glue at very affordable prices.

P.S. Just so you know, not all tires are designed with ultimate grip in mind.

[khamai]

So how many of you like walking into a tire store and get aroused at the smell of tire rubber?

Should that tire rubber smell be bottled and sold as a cologne?

Cheers,
Kiyoshi