Hankook launching third generation of Ventus S1 UHP line

PORTOROZ, Slovenia — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. is rolling out the third generation of its top-of-the-line ultra-high performance (UHP) tire, the Ventus S1 evo 3, which will debut in Europe in early 2019, but not until 2020 in North America.

Developed at Hankook's European development center in Hanover, Germany, the new tire will be made primarily at the company's 11-year-old plant in Rácalmás, Hungary, the company said.

At a press event in Portorož, company officials said the tire offered improvements over the Ventus S1 evo 2 in wet-grip, handling/steering and rolling resistance, while maintaining the wear properties of its predecessor.

The new Hankook flagship initially will be offered on the European market in 72 versions covering 17- to 22-inch rim diameters from early 2019 onward. Tread widths will range from 205 mm to 315 mm.

Driving characteristics of the Ventus S1 evo 3 have been "optimized" for wet and dry roads by using "high-performance natural resins" in the tread compound, Hankook said.

This, it said, "not only increases the grip level at the peak of performance output, the tire also remains at this grip level across a significantly larger range of temperatures, resulting in a very wide threshold range."

A high-grip full-silica tread compound and a special mixing technology were used to enhance distribution of polymers and fillers in the tread compound.

"This results in a clear improvement in brake performance in the wet as well as in reducing rolling resistance," the Korean tire maker stated.

Meanwhile, a new type of sidewall compound is said to further lower the rolling resistance of the Ventus S1 evo 3 by at least an additional 2.5 percent.

Driving-stability and wear properties are also enhanced via a new 0-degree aramid composite cap ply. This is said to reduce growth in rolling circumference at high speeds by up to 60 percent versus traditional linear polyamide-based fabrics.

According to Hankook, the reinforcement technology also gives the new tire significantly better driving stability and a longer life thanks to lower heat generation.

The S1 evo 3 also will be available at market launch in an adapted version for SUVs with a two-ply rayon carcass.

A number of versions already have received OE approval from German car makers for their latest models, Hankook said.

The tire likely will show up in North America next year as OE fitments on imported European models, Hankook Tire America.