Kumho Fortis - What if a tire manufacturer made an electric SUV?

July 31, 2009

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Technology, Design/Style, Alternative Fuel, Off-Road, South Korea

Kumho Fortis concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Korean tire manufacturer Kumho, our future may yet be filled with SUVs after all. Unlike yesteryear’s gas-guzzling behemoths, though, tomorrow’s multi-purpose automobiles will be fully electric and powered by lithium ion battery packs. Being a tire company, it comes as little surprise that Kumho’s Fortis concept SUV would feature body panels molded from recycled rubber for an eco-friendly twist. Another interesting exterior bit are the front light clusters inspired by Korean glass sculptures.

Underneath the SUV-shaped body sits a modular platform with one chassis-mounted 100-horsepower electric motor per wheel. This arrangement allows for an unlimited number of drivetrain possibilities - front- rear- or all-wheel drive are all possible and traction control, stability control and hill descent control can be baked right in via the software that controls the motors.

Perhaps the coolest bit of future-tech in the Fortis design study are the tires. When traveling off-road, the tires deflate, leaving a series of metal lugs exposed for ultimate traction. When it’s time to hit the road, air cavities in the tires expand, covering the metal lugs so as not to cause harrowing spark-induced moments of panic.

Kumho claims that Rob Dolton, the mind behind the Fortis concept, is the only full-time automobile designer currently employed by a tire company. His job is to explore future automotive technologies and to help Kumho plan next-generation tires. Note to Kumho: We’ll gladly take a set of these units for our next off-road excursion.

Gallery: Kumho Fortis Concept