Hankook adds iON GT to EV portfolio

Hankook Tire is expanding its iON product line for electric vehicles with the introduction of the Hankook iON GT. This range includes the iON GT summer tyre for battery-powered city cars and saloons, and the iON GT SUV for compact SUVs. These new products debuted at The Tire Cologne and will be available from autumn 2024 in sizes for 16- to 20-inch rims.

Introducing the iON GT range, Hankook Tire emphasises that it utilises a high percentage of recycled and renewable materials within the tyres. The tyre maker’s development team employs bio-based silica and sustainable PET textile cord derived from plastic waste. The tyres also incorporate plant-based oils and resin, bio-circular synthetic rubber from bio-circular feedstocks, as well as circular carbon black from tyre pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black from end-of-life tyres. Hankook engineers have incorporated a significant proportion of ISCC Plus mass balance certified materials into the iON GT. Despite the high percentage of sustainable components, Hankook says its engineers have “succeeded in increasing the sustainability without having to compromise on the tyre safety and comfort.”

In addition to sizes for city cars & saloons, the range provides fitments for compact SUVs (Photo: Stephen Goodchild / Tyre Industry Publications Ltd)

Package of technical measures

Another notable feature of the iON GT range is its A/A/A EU tyre label rating, indicating top performance in rolling resistance, wet grip, and rolling noise. Hankook achieved these results with a package of technical measures. An advanced vulcanisation process known as Opti Cure technology significantly reduces rolling resistance, enhancing the vehicle’s range per battery charge. At the same time, the tyre’s ProGrip tread mixture ensures better adhesion on wet surfaces through a combination of high-density silica and other sustainable raw materials.

Other innovations include i Super Mileage technology, including Round Even, which guarantees an extremely even contact pressure on the road and helps to extend the tyre’s life. Furthermore, aramid fibres enhance the steering precision in combination with the Grip Boost technology, which reduces the movement of the sidewall.

Another development objective was to minimise tyre noise, as the absence of a combustion engine highlights this aspect. Hankook’ says its integrated i Sound Absorber technology and specific tyre pattern effectively reduce cabin noise levels.