NEU-ISENBURG, Germany — Sports car maker Porsche A.G. has selected versions of Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd.'s Ventus S1 evo 3 ultra-high-performance tire line as OE fitments on the 2021 model-year 718 Boxster and Cayman mid-engine two-seat models.
The fitments cover export models as well as those sold in Europe, Hankook said. As such, cars sold in North America could come equipped with the Ventus fitment.
These latest fitments complement Hankook OE fitments on Porsche's Cayenne SUV and Taycan electric-driven models, the South Korean tire maker said.
Hankook is one of three OE tire suppliers to the Taycan, along with Goodyear and Pirelli Tyre.
The fitments on the Boxster and Cayman models are the same sizes: 235/40 ZR19 (92Y) N-0 for the front axle and 265/40 ZR19 (98Y) N-0 for the rear axle.
Gaining these OE approvals "demonstrates the impressive performance of our products across the entire range," Hankook Tire Europe President Sanghoon Lee said.
The Ventus S1 evo3 is equipped with a high-strength bead core which, in combination with the reinforced sidewall, ensures high driving stability, straight-line stability and steering precision in addition to sporty, dynamic handling, Hankook said.
To further enhance driving stability and steering precision, a particularly light rayon carcass is used, along with a special aramid composite material in the belt area. Together, this reduces the unwanted expansion of the rolling circumference by up to 60%, even at very high speeds, compared with conventional materials.
The special tread compound using high-performance natural resins ensures the necessary grip and excellent traction and braking performance on both dry and wet roads.
"Sports cars with a mid-engine are always something special. That's why the special driving experience of the Porsche 718 Boxster played a big role in the test drives," Aleix Alcaraz, development driver at Hankook Tire, said.
"The result is a tire that is in perfect harmony with the vehicle. Good grip in every situation, the necessary lateral stiffness and high steering precision, all of which are essential for both safety and driving pleasure with a sports car. This is exactly what our tire delivers."
