Kumho ECSTA SPORT A/S Wins Good Design Award 2026

Kumho’s ECSTA SPORT A/S all-season tyre has won Japan’s Good Design Award 2026, completing the manufacturer’s sweep of awards across four major international design competitions this year.

Kumho Tire announced the achievement on 28 October. The ECSTA SPORT A/S is an ultra-high-performance (UHP) all-season tyre designed to meet the requirements of both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles. It combines features intended to reduce noise and improve water evacuation with details that emphasise its sporty character.

The tread features specially shaped longitudinal grooves that help reduce road noise. Extensive lateral grooves in the shoulder blocks improve water evacuation on wet surfaces. Meanwhile, the sidewalls and shoulders feature racing flag motifs and graphics with a holographic effect.

Organised in Japan by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, the Good Design Award dates back to 1957. It is regarded as one of four major international design competitions, alongside Germany’s iF Design Award and Red Dot Design Award, and the US-based International Design Excellence Awards, known as IDEA.

In 2026, Kumho Tire received recognition in all four competitions. In addition to the ECSTA SPORT A/S, award-winning products and concepts included the Omni Ring design, which received iF, Red Dot and IDEA awards, and the ROAD VENTURE RT tyre, which earned a Red Dot award. The ECSTA SPORT also received a German Design Award.

Kim Young-jin, Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development at Kumho Tire, described the results as confirmation of international recognition for the company’s design capabilities. He said the company would continue developing technologies and designs to strengthen the brand’s position in global markets.