Hankook Tires As Original Equipment Partner For Audi Q8
Published On 20-Sep-2019
India bound Audi Q8 will see a market launch sometime in Nov-Dec
Premium tyre maker Hankook announced on Wednesday that it will supply tyres for Audi’s new SUV Q8. The tyre maker has old association with Audi and has supplied tyres for A3, A4, Q3, Q5,Q7, Audi TT, and the new RS5 Coupe.
The new Audi Q8 with its single-frame radiator grille in octagonal design is based on the successful Audi Ur-Quattro. It offers plenty of space along with luxury and a user-friendly infotainment system, that includes a high-tech navigation system and voice control. Tyre sizes will range from 20 to 22 inches - the largest ever on an Audi. A powerful 3.0-liter V6 engine will be on offer initially.
Hankook will provide three tyre line for this four-door SUV coupe: the ultra-high-performance summer and winter treads Ventus S1 evo 3 and Winter i*cept evo 2 respectively in 285/45 R21 113 Y XL and V XL. The Dynapro HP 2 Plus in 275/50 R20 113H X, 285/45 R21 113H XL and 285/40 R22 110H XL.
"We are very pleased that our products have again been selected for a new Audi model," explains Cho Hyun-jun, head of the OE Division. "Even as a long-standing supplier to Audi, it is an honor to have been named original equipment supplier for the top-model of the Q-Series. In addition, we are proud that we will supply the full range of our treads for the Q8 to various markets."
Hankook tyres are known to support agile handling when driving dynamically. "The central requirement in the course of the development was the tire design. Because of the generally higher vehicle loads with large SUVs and the resulting load index to be fulfilled in combination with the possible high speeds, the durability of the tire design was of course particularly important. In addition, we paid special attention to the required vehicle attributes in both wet and dry conditions," explains Hong Moon-hwa, vice president of the OE Development Department.
The Ventus S1 evo 3 is constructed with ‘bead packing’, which is a special nylon material in the sidewall area that increases the sidewall strength. It has a two-layers carcass and is built with aramid composite material that reduces the unwanted growth of the unwinding circumference at high to very high speeds (over 300 kph) by up to 60 percent. This provides better driving stability and longer service life.
