Nexen Tire has announced it will supply original equipment tyres for Kia's EV5, the automaker's core family electric SUV, further strengthening its position in the growing electric vehicle segment.
The Korean tyre manufacturer will fit two distinct products depending on market: the ROADIAN GTX all-season SUV tyre for North American and Korean markets, and the N'FERA SPORT ultra-high performance summer tyre for European applications. This market-specific approach reflects different driving environments and tyre consumption patterns across regions, with the N'FERA SPORT emphasizing high-speed stability and braking performance for European driving conditions.
Both tyre lines incorporate electric vehicle-specific design features to address the unique challenges posed by EVs' instant torque delivery and heavier kerb weights. Nexen has employed its proprietary TSPD (torque steer pattern design) system to minimize torque steer - the tendency for high motor output to pull the vehicle to one side during hard acceleration.
The tyres also feature optimized stiffness distribution within pattern blocks to maximize road contact and prevent wheel slip. Additionally, an in-out multi-sequence block design disperses road noise more effectively, a particularly important consideration given the absence of engine noise in electric vehicles.
The EV5 supply agreement represents another milestone in Nexen's growing relationship with Kia's electric vehicle lineup. The company now provides OE tyres across Kia's key EV range, from the compact EV3 through to the flagship EV9 SUV, making it the Korean tyre manufacturer with the broadest OE coverage for domestic electric vehicle models.
"Supplying OE tires for the Kia EV5 proves that our products deliver reliable performance for the era of electric vehicles," said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of Nexen Tire. "We will strengthen our global market position through an integrated production strategy, and maintain our excellent performance without distinction between EVs and ICE vehicles."
The announcement underscores Nexen's commitment to expanding its global OE partnerships, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, as automakers increasingly prioritize EV-optimized tyre specifications for their electrified model ranges.
Tagged with: Nexen Tire, Kia EV5, OE tyres, Roadian GTX, N’Fera Sport, EV SUV tyres, torque steer pattern design, tyre noise reduction, EU tyre labelling, European motorway driving, electric vehicle tyres, OE fitments
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
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