MUNICH, Germany (Dec. 6, 2013) — German car maker BMW A.G. has selected Hankook Tire Co. Inc.'s Ventus S1 evo² SUV tire as an OE fitment on four-wheel-drive versions of its 2014 X5 luxury “sports activity” vehicles.
The Hankook fitment—in size 255/55R18 109V XL—is expected to be offered on the X5 X-Drive 35i, 30d and 40d models, Hankook said.
The X5 fitment is Hankook's fifth OE fitment, joining the BMW 1, 3 and 5 series and Mini.
This fitment “represents a significant value to our business,…” said Hankook Vice Chairman and CEO Seung Hwa Suh. “Starting with the supply of our high-performance tires to BMW X5, Hankook Tire will continuously expand our presence in the global SUV market as a premium tire supplier.”
Hankook said it designed the Ventus S1 evo² for drivers of high-performance, dynamic vehicles who demand uncompromising and sports-like performance from their tires.
The tire features a multiple tread radius and double-layer rayon carcass for maximum tire contact area under all conditions. The tread design incorporates 3-layer block design element for improved tire contact area as tire wear progresses, as well as a silica compound for improved wet traction, wear characteristics and thermal aging resistance, Hankook said.
The Ventus S1 evo2 SUV is manufactured primarily in Hankook's factory in Hungary. It will also be available on the replacement market next spring in sizes from 17 to 22 inches rim diameter and covering aspect ratios 60 to 30 with the tread widths from 225mm to 315mm.