As the automotive world shifts rapidly towards electrification, tyre technology must keep pace with the evolving demands of electric vehicles.
CST Redefines EV Tyre Performance with the New SALEKS E.X1
With higher vehicle weight due to battery packs and the instant torque delivered by electric drivetrains, EVs place unique stresses on tyres.
Addressing these challenges head-on, CST (Cheng Shin Tires) introduced the SALEKS E.X1, an innovative tyre developed specifically to meet the needs of electric vehicles, while also performing ‘exceptionally well’ on petrol-powered cars.
Unveiled on 4th June, 2024 at The Tire Cologne exhibition in Germany, the SALEKS E.X1 immediately drew attention from industry insiders and automotive experts. Among the first to test the new tyre was German automotive expert Niko Pliquett, who praised its outstanding grip on wet and dry surfaces, sharp cornering ability and notable cabin quietness, thanks to its advanced sound-absorbing technology. Pliquett emphasised how the tyre’s cutting-edge features translated to a game-changing experience for EV drivers.
Tested and proven
Prior to its market debut, CST Tires enlisted the expertise of UTAC, a globally recognised automotive testing and certification body based in France, to conduct comparative tests of the SALEKS E.X1 against top-tier tyres. These rigorous tests culminated in a historic achievement — CST Tires became the first EV tyre manufacturer to secure a 3A rating on the EU Tire Label. This recognition confirmed the SALEKS E.X1‘s excellent performance across three critical categories: rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling noise.
At the core of this achievement is CST Tires’ investment in advanced tyre technologies. To reduce rolling resistance and boost energy efficiency, the SALEKS E.X1 features a proprietary rubber compound developed through CST Tires’ Black Diamond-grade compounding process. This approach is said to ensure even silica dispersion using constant temperature and uniform-speed mixing that enhances overall tyre performance and reduces rolling resistance by five per cent. An aerodynamic Dragon Scale sidewall design further reduces air drag by five per cent by speeding up airflow across the tyre surface while enhancing rapid heat dissipation. This innovative design lowers rolling resistance by two per cent, contributing to lower energy consumption and longer mileage.
To improve energy efficiency, the SALEKS E.X1 incorporates high-strength tyre casing cords to increase cord strength by 20 per cent. This reduces tyre deformation caused by road surface irregularities and vehicle movements, improving energy conversion efficiency. It also avoids the irregular wear caused by heavier batteries of EV cars by ensuring more uniform tyre performance and extending tyre lifespan.
In wet grip, the SALEKS E.X1 uses a high-dispersion nano-silica tread compound that provides better road contact and improves wet braking by 10 per cent. Combined with deep drainage grooves and strategically placed sipes, the tyre delivers greater stability and control even in challenging, water film conditions. Consistent V-sipes on the inside rib maximise the tyre’s footprint area, significantly enhancing stability and control during cornering. Meanwhile, consistent sipes on the central rib ensure a smooth roll to provide a more comfortable ride. Additional structural support comes from ultra-high-strength steel layers, which increase the strength of the tread steel layers by 10 per cent. This enhancement boosts stability during high-speed driving and contributes to superior wet grip performance.
Noise reduction is another standout feature. Recognising that EVs operate more quietly than traditional vehicles, CST Tires designed the SALEKS E.X1 to tackle road and cavity noise that would otherwise be more perceptible to passengers. The closed shoulder design minimises air resonance, reducing external noise by 2dB, while a 20-per cent stronger nylon belt helps maintain tyre shape and absorbs road vibrations. To address interior cabin noise, CST Tires incorporated honeycomb acoustic foam inside the tyre cavity that cuts interior sound levels by as much as 5dB for a smoother, quieter ride.
Award-winning excellence
This suite of innovations has not gone unnoticed. The SALEKS E.X1, which was produced in 2023 and sold before its official launch in 2024, earned the title of ‘Annual New Energy Car Tire’ at the 2023 ApexTire Awards (China Tire Annual Selection and 2023 Annual Automative Service Competitiveness Awards). The accolade recognises its achievements in reducing rolling resistance, improving grip and lowering noise, underscoring CST Tires’ leadership in tyre solutions for the EV era.
With the SALEKS E.X1, CST Tires reaffirms its commitment to forward-thinking tyre technology that supports environmental sustainability and driver satisfaction. This flagship EV tyre is part of a broader portfolio that includes other standout models like the MD-A7 and Adreno AD-R9. The MD-A7 is engineered for everyday use by offering dependable performance across varying weather conditions, while the Adreno AD-R9 targets luxury and performance vehicle owners with its superior handling and grip.
Founded in Taiwan in 1967, CST Tires grew to be a prestigious tyre brand under Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co, Ltd, known for its quality, innovation and advanced technology. With the tagline ‘Performance for Petrol and EV’, CST Tires says it is committed to meeting the evolving needs of conventional and electric vehicles.
正新轮胎携SALEKS E.X1
进军电动车市场
随着汽车工业迅速朝电动化转型，轮胎技术也必须跟上电动汽车不断演变的需求。由于电动汽车搭载电池组而导致车辆重量增加，再加上电动驱动系统带来的瞬间扭矩，电动车对轮胎施加了独特而严苛的压力。
为正面迎接这些挑战，正新轮胎（CST）推出了全新创新轮胎 —— SALEKS E.X1。这款轮胎虽是专为满足电动汽车的使用需求而开发的，但也同时适用于汽油车，而且表现同样出色。
该产品于2024年6月4日在德国科隆轮胎展（The Tire Cologne）上首次亮相，立刻引起业内人士与汽车专家的关注。德国汽车专家尼科●普利奎特（Niko Pliquett） 是首批测试该轮胎的人士之一，他称赞该轮胎在湿滑路面上的卓越抓地力、敏锐的转弯性能，以及凭借先进降噪技术带来的车舱静谧性。普利奎特强调，这款轮胎的尖端技术为电动车驾驶者带来了革命性的驾驶体验。
经过验证和认可
在正式投放市场前，正新轮胎委托全球知名的法国汽车测试及认证机构UTAC，对其全新产品 SALEKS E.X1与市场上顶级电动汽车轮胎产品进行了对比测试。经过一系列严苛测试，SALEKS E.X1 创下历史性成就 —— 正新轮胎成为全球首家获得欧盟轮胎标签3A级认证的电动汽车轮胎制造商。该认证认可轮胎在三个关键性能指标上的卓越表现：滚动阻力、湿地抓地力与滚动噪音。
这一卓越性能的核心，正是正新轮胎在先进轮胎技术方面的持续投入。为降低滚动阻力、提升能效，SALEKS E.X1采用了正新黑钻（Black Diamond）级橡胶配方工艺开发的独家橡胶复合材料。据悉，该配方通过恒温恒速混炼技术，实现二氧化硅在轮胎表面的高效均匀分布，从而提升整体轮胎性能，并将滚动阻力降低 5%。此外，轮胎侧壁采用独特的龙鳞（Dragon Scale）设计，通过加速气流通过轮胎表面，进一步降低5% 的空气阻力。同时加速散热，有效减少2% 的滚动阻力，进而提升能效并延长续航里程。
为提高能效，SALEKS E.X1采用了高强度胎体帘纱，帘纱强度提升了20%，可显著减少因路面不平与车辆动态导致的轮胎变形，从而提高能量换转效率。此外，该结构也避免轮胎因电动车电池重量较大所引发的异常磨耗问题，使轮胎磨耗更均衡，使用寿命更长。
在湿地抓地性能方面，SALEKS E.X1采用了高分散纳米硅胶配方，可提升轮胎与地面的接触面，改善了10%的湿地制动性能。配合深雕式排水沟槽与策略性布置的细小刀槽花纹，即使在具有水膜的湿滑路况下，轮胎依然能够提供出色的稳定性与操控性。轮胎内侧肋条上的一致性V型胎沟，能最大限度提升轮胎的接地面积，在过弯时大幅提升稳定性与操控性；而中央肋条上的一致性沟槽则确保轮胎的平稳滚动，带来更舒适的驾驶体验。
静音性能是该轮胎的另一大亮点。由于电动汽车比传统燃油车更为安静，因此路面和轮胎腔体的噪音也就变得更加明显。正新轮胎因此特别针对SALEKS E.X1进行了专门设计，以降低乘客所感知的噪音。其封闭式胎肩设计有效减少空气共振，将外部噪音降低2dB；而强度提升20%的尼龙带，则有助于保持轮胎形状并吸收路面震动，从源头减缓噪音传播。为进一步降低车内噪音，正新轮胎还在轮胎腔体内嵌入了蜂窝吸音棉（honeycomb acoustic foam）结构，将车内噪音降低高达5dB，显著提升乘坐舒适性与安静度。
屡获殊荣的卓越表现
该轮胎的创新成果受到了行业的高度关注。SALEKS E.X1虽于2024年才正式发布，但该轮胎早在2023年投产并销售，还在2023年ApexTire（中国轮胎年度评选暨2023汽车服务竞争力年度奖）“年度新能源车轮胎”奖项。该奖项充分肯定了其在降低滚动阻力、提升抓地力以及降低噪音方面的卓越表现，彰显了正新轮胎在电动汽车时代轮胎解决方案领域的领先地位。
通过推出 SALEKS E.X1，正新轮胎再次展现其对前瞻性轮胎技术的坚定承诺，致力于推动环保可持续发展并提升驾驶者满意度。作为电动汽车轮胎系列中的旗舰产品，SALEKS E.X1也是正新轮胎多元化产品组合的一部分，其他亮眼产品还包括 MD-A7 与 Adreno AD-R9。MD-A7专为日常使用打造，能够在多变的气候下提供可靠且稳定的性能；而Adreno AD-R9 则特别适合豪华及高性能车辆车主，其卓越的操控性与抓地力，满足他们对高水平驾驶性能的需求。
正新轮胎于1967年在台湾创立，隶属于正新橡胶工业股份有限公司。凭借卓越的品质、创新精神与先进技术，逐步成长为享誉国际的轮胎品牌。秉持“燃油车与电动汽车卓越性能”的品牌理念，正新轮胎表示将持续致力于满足传统燃油车与电动汽车不断变化和演进的需求。
