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.
Double the Advantage The iON Winter pushes the limits of trade-offs to reach optimum performance. The iON Winter is specifically tailored for electric vehicles, but also equipped with the best of both worlds.
Enhanced Cornering Stability EV Contour Technology Tire stiffness is essential to be improved to bear the weight of electric vehicles. Hankook’s EV Contour Technology increases cornering stiffness by 7% to advance electric vehicle handling performance.
Improved Snow Traction Optimised Sipe Angles The angles of sipes on the iON Winter are optimised to improve braking and traction on snow. The accuracy of sipe angles can significantly improve safety on snowy roads.
Superior Handling on Winter Roads Diversified Sipes The tread pattern rigidity is optimised by applying 2D sipes in the center and 3D sipes in the blocks surrounding. This allows the iON Winter to provide superior handling on all types of winter road surfaces.
Advanced Snow Performance secured, adding Reduced Rolling Resistance EVolution Compound Composed with high-concentration silica and eco-friendly materials, the EVolution compound provides satisfactory mileage and further reduced rolling resistance without missing snow performance.
Improved Wet Grip Water Pipe Kerf Water pipe kerfs are placed inside the shoulder blocks for water drainage from the main groove, which maximises grip on wet roads.
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).