[DeTomaso] New Kumho (Khumos (sic)) coming

[Richard Barkley]

Mike,
Thanks for the heads up. I'd been planning on getting Ecsta XS (KU36) 
those sizes (315/35-17 and 245/40-17). I called Tirerack today to see if 
they knew anything about the V720 sizes and availability and, just 
talking to the guy who took the call, didn't get any info. Googling 
around I didn't find much of anything except this (3rd hand info) post.
http://www.cicenet.net/showthread.php?t=9874&page=446
> Some info off the Corvette forum, not sure if it's any help.
>
> TR expects to add the V720's to the website within the next couple of 
> weeks. The first round of V720's are still a few weeks away, but due 
> to the lead time and shelf life of our Spring Inside Track print 
> catalog they were included as a "Coming Soon" item. Kumho is fully 
> aware of the SCCA's April 30th deadline and intends to meet it. The 
> initial sizes will be limited to the following (Don't shoot the 
> messenger...plz) While we can't announce pricing yet, it will be the 
> least expensive of the new crop of Extreme Performance Tires. Kumho 
> has not released any information on possible future sizes yet, they 
> will likely wait to see how this first round of product performs 
> before committing further to the US market.
>
> 205/50R15 KU ECSTA V720
> 225/50R16 KU ECSTA V720
> 215/45R17 KU ECSTA V720
> 225/45R17 KU ECSTA V720
> 245/40R17 KU ECSTA V720
> 245/40R18 KU ECSTA V720
Also, reading some other things, it's not clear to me the the V720 is 
the replacement for the ES (KU36) and might be an update of the V710 
which is (along with the V700) more of a track day tire.

At least according to their online websites, I found a few that have the 
ES (KU36) in both sizes. So the question is do I get the ESs now (sure 
thing) or wait and see what happens with the V720s and risk them not 
coming out in the 315 size. I won't be needing tires for at least a few 
months as Zonkey is still in pieces but I do plan being on the road this 
summer. Since I live in So Cal (where it's only rained a couple of 
inches this year) and I'm not out racing on the track or streets, the 
safe thing would be to get the ESs now while they are still available.
Richard

On 3/29/15 1:54 PM, Mike Thomas wrote:
> Toyo's in 315/35-17 and 245/40-17 are currently listed on TireRack.com.  Interestingly enough, the 315's are in stock, the 245's available as "special order", which I would translate as "good luck with that . . . ".
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=yo&tireModel=Proxes+R888&frontTire5WR7R888&rearTireDWR7R888&vehicleSearch�lse&fromCompare1=yes
>
> They still list the Khumo Ecsta XS, but the 315's are "Back order", and a conversation with a tech rep from TireRack indicated they are no longer in production.  He did say they will be stocking the new Khumo Ecsta v720, replacement for the XS, by the end of April.  According to this link, Khumo is set to refresh much of their lineup, and the new v720 is said to have much better wet handling than the XS, which was my main gripe.
>
> http://www.tirereview.com/kumho-tire-product-offerings-2015/
>
> The tread pattern certainly looks revised.
>
> https://www.facebook.com/www.acanta.com.my/posts/660235830720226
>
> Mike Thomas
> Pres., Panteras Northwest
> Yellow ’74 #6328
>
>
> -- 
> -----
> Sincerely, Richard Barkley
>
> To Ski or not to Ski, that is the question!
>
> Richard Barkley (310) 373-6695 (home)
> E-mail:  rlbpantera <atsign> earthlink.net
> ZONKEY'S home page: http://home.earthlink.net/~rlbpantera
> Mammoth Lakes Vacation Condo: 2BR+loft/3Bath - Horizons 4 #186 (760) 934-6758
> Condo web address: http://home.earthlink.net/~rbarkley