October 07, 2019 |
Hankook Tyres now original equipment on Audi's Q8
Hankook is now a supplier of various sized tyres for the new Audi Q8. The Hankook tyre lines, Ventus and Winter i*cept evo 2 SUV as well as the Dynapro HP 2 Plus, are fitted as original equipment to the SUV flagship of the Ingolstadt-based premium manufacturer. While the Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV and Winter i*cept evo 2 SUV models are primarily intended for use on European roads, the Dynapro HP 2 Plus is predestined for the North American market.
Nürburgring, Germany, 18 September 2019 – Premium tyre maker Hankook now equips the new Audi Q8 with its tyres ex works. A progressive design and pioneering technology, characterise the Q family of the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer. The Audi Q8, with its single frame radiator grille in an octagonal design, is based on the successful Audi Ur-Quattro. The new SUV Coupé offers plenty of space and is luxurious and highly networked. The high-tech navigation system, voice control, an agile chassis with Hankook tyres in sizes from 20 to 22 inches, and powerful engines make the Q8 a dynamic vehicle that is particularly suitable for everyday use.
Three Hankook tyre lines are used for the four-door SUV Coupé: the ultra-high performance summer and winter treads, Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV, and the Winter i*cept evo 2 SUV, respectively, in 285/45 R21 113 Y XL and V XL sizes and the Dynapro HP 2 Plus in sizes 275/50 R20 113H X, 285/45 R21 113H XL and 285/40 R22 110H XL. Further sizes will follow.
"We are very pleased that our products have again been selected for a new Audi model," explained Hyunjun Cho, Head of the OE Division. "Even as a long-standing supplier to Audi, it is an honour 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 in various markets".
In particular the Hankook tyres provide great support for agile handling when driving dynamically: "The central requirement in the course of the development was the tyre 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 tyre design was of course particularly important. In addition, we paid special attention to the required vehicle attributes in both wet and dry conditions," explained Moonhwa Hong, Vice President of the OE Development Department.
The Ventus S1 evo 3 is, by the way, constructed with ‘bead packing’, a special nylon material in the side wall area, which increases the side wall strength.
The two-layer carcass and the use of an aramid composite material reduces the unwanted growth of the unwinding circumference at high, to very high, speeds (over 300 kph) by up to 60 per cent, compared to previously used fabrics. This gives the tyre significantly better driving stability and a longer service life due to less heat generation and thus it maintains a consistently high level of grip, even over a very wide temperature range. The sporty, dynamic performance on both dry and wet roads is guaranteed by a special tread compound using high-performance natural resins.
Source: Hankook
