Hankook -
Hankook manufactures premium high-performance tyres for a wide range of vehicle categories from cars to trucks as well as for motorsport. Much of the development and production takes place in Europe for the European market, including original equipment for Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and VW.
An all-round winter player, not only excellent control in the snow but also advanced wet and dry performance in cold weather.
Tyre Pattern
Snow pick traction groove Unidirectional tread design in a gull wing shape improves the traction and braking performance on snow.
3D winter sipe Serrated winter sipe improves braking performance in winter driving. This special sipe enhances driving stability by minimising block movement.
Water pipe kerf The water pipe kerf placed inside the shoulder block improves performance on wet surfaces by efficiently transporting water out of the main groove.
Aqua pine compound Maximising wet and snow grip by adopting highly refined resin.
Tyre Structure
Advanced silica compound for wet performance The high loading silica compound provides an increased wet performance. Natural ingredients ensure the rubber’s flexibility in a wide temperature range.
Application of high strength steel belt wire A full cover steel layer increases the tread stiffness and keeps straight stability even throughout powerful acceleration. The application of special edge covers improve steering response.
Dual layer fibre stiffener The dual structure of the carcass fibre stiffener provides tyre durability and stress resistance.
High strength bead wire The extra high tensile bead wire provides driving stability even throughout powerful acceleration.
EU Tyre Label and Efficiency Classes
The European Union has introduced the EU Tyre Label by Regulation (No. 1222/2009) identically and bindingly for all EU member states. It applies to passenger car tyres, light commercial vehicle tyres and heavy commercial vehicle tyres produced after 01.07.2012.
Three different areas are tested: rolling resistance, wet grip and the rolling noise the tyre makes on the road.
The following are not affected by the EU Tyre Label: retreaded tyres, professional off-road tyres, racing tyres, tyres with additional devices to improve traction such as spiked tyres, T-type emergency tyres, special tyres for fitting to vehicles first registered before 1 October 1990, tyres with a maximum authorised speed of 80 km/h, tyres for rims with a nominal diameter of 254 mm or less or 635 mm or more.
With this regulation, the European Union is pursuing the goal of promoting economic and ecological efficiency in road traffic as well as increasing road safety on the one hand, and on the other hand, granting consumers more product transparency and at the same time serving as an active decision-making aid.
Already during the incorporation, experts criticise the fact that the EU Tyre Label unfortunately only shows a few product characteristics. Apart from rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling noise, which are the main focus of EU tyre labelling, tyres have much more important and safety-relevant product characteristics, such as aquaplaning properties, driving stability, service life, braking properties on dry and wet roads, behaviour in wintry conditions, etc.
Tyre manufacturers point out that test results from various institutions and journals remain an important information medium for the end consumer. These tests usually focus on further safety-relevant product characteristics besides the EU standard qualifications for tyre labelling, which are always important for the final customer.
* List prices, when available, provide a net basis for calculating sales prices between tyre manufacturers and their distributors. In no event are they selling prices that are paid or customarily paid.
**Prices include VAT and delivery within mainland UK (excl. Scottish Highlands).