Kumho shows environmentally friendly car concept

Seoul, Korea - Tyre maker Kumho is paving the way for the world's first truly eco-friendly racing car. It has developed a concept which it has name the Epoch.

Kumho's single-seater has a chassis grown from bamboo, thereby providing an immediate carbon offset, while its lightweight body panels are formed from recycled tyre tread rubber.

Power comes from Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) units integral to the four-wheel hubs. Proven in the railway industry, this advanced electromagnetic technology has the advantage of low friction as well as maximum torque at zero rpm.

"As you'd expect from one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers, the Epoch also boasts revolutionary tyre technology. Known as EAP (Electro Active Polymer), it allows the tread and even the shape of the tyres to be fundamentally altered simply by passing an electric current through the rubber. This is achieved via the positioning of magnets on the hubs and within the wheel rims. It effectively allows the characteristics of the tyre to be altered at will, to suit different tastes and conditions," said Kumho.

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Images of Epoch from Kumho

Press release listing from Kumho