It is the ‘MO’ label on the sidewall that Hankook Tire is particularly proud of. The two letters stand for ‘Mercedes Original’, and only tyres that match strict quality criteria are approved as original equipment for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. These letters appear on the sides of three Hankook tyre models that Mercedes-Benz fits on the S-Class, continuing a supply arrangement that began almost a decade ago.
Hankook has won three more original equipment tyre fitments from the Volkswagen Group. It is supplying its ultra-high performance Ventus S1 evo 3 to the Golf GTI und Golf R, while the Tiguan R will roll on either the Ventus S1 evo 2 SUV or evo 3 SUV. The sporty variants of each VW model will benefit from the tyre manufacturer’s flagship UHP tyre technologies, with the Golfs running on 235/35R19 91Y tyres, and the Tiguan R SUV rolling on either the 255/40R20 101Y XL S1 evo 2 SUV, or the 255/35R21 98Y XL S1 evo 3 SUV variants.
The latest incarnation of the Hankook Ventus Prime is now available and takes over from a predecessor that has sold more than 20 million units since 2015, is original equipment on several vehicles and has racked up a number of tyre test honours, including two wins in the renowned Auto Bild summer test. Hankook says the new Ventus Prime 4 offers generational improvements “in practically all relevant points,” including further optimised handling, rolling resistance and mileage.
Hankook has announced the official opening of its newly constructed test centre on the premises of Applus+ in Idiada, Spain. All areas that previously had to be accommodated separately on the premises are now housed under one roof in the new workshop due to the constant growth in testing and development requirements over recent years.
Hankook is supplying its new Ventus S1 evo Z ultra-ultra-high performance tyres for the new Porsche Panamera in 19 and 20-inch variants. The tyre-maker extensively tested the tyre at maximum speed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack, a popular proving ground for sporty handling and longevity. “The Porsche Panamera is a high performing four-passenger sports car with outstanding comfort,” says Sanghoon Lee, president of Hankook Tire Europe. “As such, we are very pleased to be the first to equip this model, as it shows that our products are extremely competitive even in the high-end segment. Additional tyres for future Porsche models are already in development at Hankook.” The tyre made its debut on the Mini John Cooper Works GP in late 2020.
Hankook Tire has expanded its testing and development capacities in Europe with the commissioning of a new test centre in Spain. The facility, located some 40 miles southwest of Barcelona on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group, will enable the tyre maker to “build on even more efficient and state-of-the-art, fully automated test logistics for European tyre development in the future.”
In April, Goodyear shared that the new Audi e-tron GT is available factory-fitted with a 21-inch version of its Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5. Hankook Tire reports it is also supplying original equipment tyres to Audi’s electric performance saloon; the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 ev will be fitted to the e-tron GT in size 225/55R19 XL 103Y on the front axle and 275/45R19 XL 108Y on the rear.
Hankook Tire is delivering original equipment tyres for the Audi RS Q8. The 600 hp SUV will thus roll off the production line fitted with the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV in 295/40 ZR22 112Y XL AO. To ensure safe driving in the colder months, Audi customers can additionally order the Hankook Winter i*cept evo 2 in sizes 275/40 R22 107V XL AO or 295/35 R23 108W XL AO.
Hankook Tire says its new Ventus S1 Evo Z gives us a foretaste of the generation of ultra-ultra-high-performance tyres it will offer in future. We’ve gained a first glimpse of Hankook’s new UUHP rubber on the Mini John Cooper Works GP, where it sees duty as the exclusive original equipment tyre. The fastest roadgoing Mini ever to see light of day wears the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z in size 225/35R18 87Y XL.
As reported earlier this month, Hankook Tire has released its latest winter products for motorists and Western and Central Europe. And the new tyre line is off to a promising start, with Auto Bild awarding the new tyre its top ‘exemplary’ rating in its winter 2020 comparative evaluation.
Audi has released a performance version of its Q8 SUV coupe, and Hankook Tire says it is supplying original equipment tyres. Specifically, the Audi SQ8 TDI will be available with the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV and Winter i*cept evo 2 SUV in sizes 285/45 R21 113 Y XL and V XL. A 22-inch fitment of the summer tyre will follow – The SQ8 will receive the Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV in size 285/40 R22.
Back in 1994, a little-known tyre brand called Hankook entered the all-season market in Europe with the Optisuper. A lot has changed for the tyre maker since then, but it is still firmly in the all-season tyre business – and has now introduced its fifth-generation tyre, the Hankook Kinergy 4S².
Look carefully for the superscript – Hankook Tire has unveiled its fifth generation of all-season tyre for Europe. It’s called the Hankook Kinergy 4S², and despite the naming similarities is a completely redeveloped product. The Kinergy 4S² comes to market in June 2018 with a launch range of 17 sizes in the 14- to 17-inch rim diameter bracket. From the second half of the year, the range will be expanded to 64 sizes for 14- to 20-inches.
A new tyre line has joined the Hankook range of bus tyres. The SmartCity AU04+ is designed for year-round urban use – it is 3PMSF and M+S marked – and is available in size 275/70R22.5.
Hankook opened its Technotrac winter tyre testing facility in Ivalo, Finland early in 2017. With facilities ready for both commercial vehicle testing and future expansion, the facility will help the manufacturer push forward its winter and all-season ranges for the European and global markets. Tyres & Accessories spoke to vice president Klaus Krause, head of the Europe Technical Center about its European Technotrac winter testing facility and the segment in general.
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