Hankook Tire Expands its Flagship Tyre Line-Up
Tyre maker Hankook is further extending its product portfolio in the premium performance
segment for passenger cars. The company’s award-winning, cutting-edge flagship tyre line
Ventus S1 evo² has been added by high-performance treads, providing a further improved
handling performance at high speeds in combination with a very low Rolling resistance.
They are already being delivered as premium original fitment to Daimler AG.
Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 15. September 2015 – Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook is further expanding its
line-up of flagship tyres of type Ventus S1 evo² for the passenger car segment by specific high-performance yet
very low rolling resistance versions in several sizes. Especially due to its eco-friendly properties, the Ventus S1
evo² has already been selected in sizes 225/50 R 17 for the front and 245/45 R 17 for the rear axle as original
fitment version for the Mercedes-Benz C350e plug-in hybrid. Alongside high wet grip and precise handling, the
development of the tyres, which are being made at the company’s state-of-the-art European production facility
in Hungary, has mainly focused on exceptional environmental properties such as low rolling resistance and a
low rolling noise.
“The superior performance of our products documents our potential of being able to supply the market with
Hankook top quality also for the technically demanding segment of very eco friendly yet high performing cars
like the Mercedes-Benz C350e plug-in hybrid,” explains Ho-Youl Pae, head of Hankook Tire in Europe. “And
we are especially proud of the fact that all the original fitment passenger car tyres for Daimler AG are being
manufactured in our European plant.”
Hankook Tire’s Ventus S1 evo2 type of tyres, featured with technology derived from DTM racetracks, have
been acknowledged for their remarkable tracking performance in both wet and dry road conditions. Along with
precise handling and controlled steering response at high-speeds, the tyre’s significantly low rolling resistance
and optimal contour implementation perfectly complement to its eco-friendly characteristics. The outstanding
technical advances are also expected to help the Ventus S1 evo2 sustain a high level of driving comfort for its
users by minimizing rolling noises under any conditions.
Manufactured in Europe the Hankook Ventus S1 evo² demonstrates optimum performance even under
demanding conditions with its successful combination of precise handling, outstanding braking ability and high
directional stability. The use of high tensile yet extremely lightweight steel cord material, which is also used for
Hankook racing tyres in the DTM for example, means the Ventus S1 evo² still enables dynamic driving even
under permanently challenging conditions. The development of the Ventus S1 evo² took the ever more important
environmental aspects into account, resulting in a significantly reduced rolling resistance and low rolling noise.
“During the intensive test phase, our tyre once more successfully proved its high degree of characteristic
dynamic driving properties,” explains Klaus Krause, head of the European Technology Centre (ETC), where
Hankook also coordinates the original equipment tyre development for Daimler AG vehicles. “With the Ventus
S1 evo² we have implemented our Kontrol Technology* philosophy and developed a modern high-performance
tyre which is tailored to the requirements of our customers in terms of dynamic driving, safety, eco-friendliness
and comfort.”
There are currently 50 engineers and technicians working at Hankook’s European development center in
Hanover, Germany on tailor-made tyre solutions for European car manufacturers. It is here that the tyres for
premium original equipment e.g of Daimler AG are developed and tested. The tyres are then manufactured at
the company’s European high-tech production facility in Rácalmás, Hungary. The ultra-modern factory, located
some 60 km south of the capital Budapest, specializes in the production of passenger car and SUV tyres for the
European market including premium original equipment tyres for leading car manufacturers and is one of the
most modern production facilities in the world.
###
Technical Characteristics of the Hankook Ventus S1 evo²
1. DTM-derived tyre contour with Multi Tread Radius for equal ground contact pressure achieved through ideal tyre
footprint. Significant weight reduction through application of ultra-light yet highly durable steel cord material for steel
belt package:
- Distinctive dynamic driving characteristics even under demanding conditions.
- Outstanding straight stability at high speeds.
- High level of driving comfort and low rolling noise.
- Increased performance especially in lateral hydroplaning.
2. DTM-inspired triple layer block design for superior traction:
- The staircase arrangement of the outer rib blocks is designed to increase the tyre contact patch with
the
surface as the tyre wear progresses, ensuring a consistently high traction performance throughout
the tyre-
lifecycle.
3. Latest generation Mixing Technologies and all new Tread Compound for reduced Rolling Resistance, dynamic
handling characteristics and improved wet braking performance:
- The extension of mixing times at reduced temperatures significantly increases the bonding rate and more
targeted
cross linking between carbon and rubber molecules for reduced heat generation during driving thus
improving
handling characteristics while at the same time reducing rolling resistance, tread wear and thermal
caused
aging.
- A new High Styrene Polymer enhances the tyre’s wet braking performance as well.
4. Advanced Cooling System with Intercoolers for improved heat regulation:
- Surface-enlarging cooling fins applied to the tyre’s main grooves allow for continuous heat reduction,
resulting
in a more stable handling performance.
- Double step dimples applied to outer block edges generate cooling micro turbulences thus reducing heat in the
tyre’s shoulder part.
- Aerodynamically designed side wall helps to reduce noise and vibration level for increased driving comfort.
5. VAI Siping System (Vehicle Alignment Indicator)
- Provides drivers an easy and convenient way to check the vehicles alignment themselves by
comparing wear on the sipes of both of the tyre’s shoulders and realign as necessary.
6. Line-Up:
- The current line-up comprises 55 dimensions from 16 to 19 inch with aspect ratios 60 to 30, covering tread
widths from 205 to 305mm. The Ventus S1 evo2 is available for high powered compact cars, luxury
limousines, sportive coupés /convertibles and GTs as well as high end sports cars.
* Kontrol Technology
Derived from the English terms Kinetic (for movement) and Control (for control), Hankook Tire Kontrol Technology
reflects the best possible controllability of the interaction between the driver, the vehicle and the road by the tyres
during the journey. Kontrol Technology has been developed in order to provide the vehicle driver with all currently
available benefits of the latest Hankook tyre technology in terms of safety, driving characteristics, comfort and
environmental compatibility.
###
About Hankook Tire
Hankook Tire is one of the global top 5 companies in the mass production of tyres and manufactures innovative,
award winning radial tyres of proven superior quality for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs, trucks, and
buses as well as motorsports (circuit racing/rallies).
Aspiring to bring consumers the utmost excellence in product quality, technological excellence and driving
satisfaction, Hankook Tire continuously invests in research and development maintaining five R&D centres and
seven production facilities around the world. Bespoke tyre solutions for the European markets as well as
European Original Equipment according to the requirements of leading premium car manufacturers, are
developed in the company’s regional Technical Centre in Hanover/Germany. Production for the European
region is taking place in the state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Rácalmás/Hungary which was inaugurated in
June 2007 and is continuously being expanded. Currently more than 3,000 employees produce up to 19 million
tyres a year for passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks.
Hankook Tire’s European headquarters are located in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt am Main in Germany. The
manufacturer operates further branches in Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Hungary, Czech
Republic, Russia, Turkey, Sweden and Poland. Hankook products are sold directly through regional distributors
in other local markets. Hankook Tire employs more than 22,000 people worldwide and are selling their products
in over 180 countries. Internationally leading car manufacturers rely on tyres made by Hankook for their
original equipment. Approximately 30 percent of the company's global sales are generated within the European
and CIS-Region.
For more information please visit www.hankooktire-press.com or www.hankooktire-eu.com
Kontakt:
Hankook Tire Europe GmbH | Corporate Communications Europe/CIS | Siemensstr. 5a, 63263 Neu-Isenburg | Germany
Felix Kinzer
Director
Tel.: +49 (0) 61 02 8149 – 170
f.kinzer@hankookreifen.de
Susanne Baun
PR-Manager
Tel.: +49 (0) 6102 8149 – 172
s.baun@hankookreifen.de
Anna Magdalena Pasternak
PR-Manager
Tel.: +49 (0) 6102 8149 – 174
a.pasternak@hankookreifen.de
Larissa Büsch
Public Relations
Tel.: +49 (0) 6102 8149 – 171
l.buesch@hankookreifen.de