Hankook Ventus iON S: New Summer Tire For E-cars To Join Global Tire Family
Published On 13-Jun-2022
Characteristics of the new tire include reduced rolling resistance, extremely low noise rolling characteristics and high load-bearing capacity.
In May 2022, Hankook Tire launched the Ventus iON S, the first summer tire in a new product range that has been specifically designed for electric vehicles.
By taking this approach, the company wants to make a decisive contribution from a tire choice perspective to advancing the mobility transition towards zero-emission vehicles.
The new summer tire is a pioneer of the new, global “iON (pronounced as /ai’on/)” tire family designed for premium electric vehicles, which will include the Hankook Winter i*cept iON in September 2022.
Characteristics of the new tire include reduced rolling resistance, extremely low noise rolling characteristics and high load-bearing capacity. For drivers of electric cars, this means more range per battery charge and a better driving experience compared to conventional tires.
In addition, the new Hankook iON products are specially designed for the instant high torques produced by powerful electric vehicles.
Numerous measures for EV-specific requirements
The new Hankook Ventus iON S meets the demanding everyday requirements for EV tires (EV = Electric Vehicle) by providing an extensive set of technical measures.
In particular, Hankook has countered the higher vehicle mass of electric vehicles – caused by the considerable weight of the drive batteries – with a higher load capacity. Among other things, ultra-resistant aramid fibers effectively counteract the deformation forces caused by the especially high torque in electric vehicles.
The tread compound, which features a high proportion of natural resin, also ensures exemplary durability and reduced wear. The high silica content provides micro-level grip on wet roads by counteracting the formation of a film of water between the road surface and the tires, which can be dangerous.
Another special feature of the new compound is its high proportion of natural oils. This not only makes the iON products more sustainable overall, but it also has a positive impact on the durability of the tread. This means that less material is required for consistent performance, and the savings in weight of up to one kilogram per tire improves rolling resistance, said Hankook in a release.
One of the special features of the Ventus iON S is the aerodynamic optimization so that it can exploit potential for greater levels of efficiency and range. The tire pattern is designed in such a way that air resistance is reduced, something that is even true for the lettering on the tire sidewalls.
A further development goal was to achieve the quietest possible running characteristics, especially since eliminating the noise of an internal combustion engine draws attention to this aspect. It is therefore all the more important that Hankook Sound Absorber™, together with the noise-reducing tire pattern, noticeably reduces the level of noise inside the vehicle.
The Hankook Ventus iON S is available in sizes between 18 and 22 inches. The Hankook Winter i*cept iON, designed for winter months, will follow in September 2022. An all season version, the Hankook Ventus iON A, will also be available for the North American market. Further specific product designs are in the pipeline.
Technology exchanges between electric motorsport and road vehicles
As one of the world's leading original equipment manufacturers of electric vehicles from premium car brands, the Hankook development engineers have already documented their expertise in this demanding segment many times over.
Original equipment tires from Hankook that have been optimized for electromobility are already being used by Audi, BMW, Porsche, VW and other leading brands.
From the 2022/2023 season, the premium tire manufacturer will also be demonstrating the technical expertise it has acquired in the area of sustainability and high-performance mobility, as a supplier in the world of electric motorsport, as appointed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
Available sizes for Ventus iON S and Ventus iON SX for SUVs
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