Hyundai and Kia have developed special wheels and tyres with built-in snow chains

Hyundai and Kia are back at it. Just a couple of weeks after announcing a new drivetrain system that could revolutionise the way that EVs are built, the pair have now unveiled a special wheel and tyre combo with built-in snow chains. No joke.

Yep, the busy bunch of engineers reckon this “snow chain-integrated tyre technology” could help us all stay safe in winter, and the tech is currently patent-pending in both South Korea and the US.

Apparently it uses ‘shape memory alloy modules’ that protrude past the tyres when a button is pressed and an electrical signal is received. Those modules (which are set in “radial grooves at regular intervals, like a pizza”) then provide more grip than a traditional snow chain would.

“This innovation, which will hopefully be introduced on Hyundai and Kia vehicles someday, reflects our commitment to turning advanced technologies into real-world solutions that benefit customers,” said Joon Mo Park, boss of the excellently titled Advanced Chassis Development Team. “We will continue to develop technologies that enhance safety and convenience of our vehicles and bring value to our customers.”

A statement on the new tech also says: “Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to consider mass production of the tyres after further technological development, durability and performance tests and regulation reviews.”

Do we think this fancy setup could actually make production? And what would stop us deploying the snow chains in the dry for some drifting practice?