Hankook Tire’s High-End Tires For New Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Hankook Tire is expanding its original equipment involvement with Daimler AG. Hankook Tire equips the brand new Mercedes-Benz C-Class with ultra-high performance tires from its award-winning Ventus line.

The C-Class is the third model of the luxury brand vehicles from Stuttgart, following the Mercedes-Benz S- and E-Class, that is being fitted with Hankook Tire original equipment. The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class will  also be equipped with Hankook Tire’s Ventus S1 evo² ultra-high performance tires in sizes 225/50R17 W in the standard as well as the runflat versions.

“The new C-Class is already the third Mercedes-Benz premium model that has been equipped with our high performance tires in the last 12 months. It thereby documents the consistently recognized high performance of our tires both in development as well as in production,” explained Mr. Byung Il Woo, vice-president of Global OE Division at Hankook Tire. “We are particularly proud that Hankook Runflat System is able to satisfy the high demands of the Mercedes-Benz engineers when it comes to safety, driving dynamics and comfort. This original equipment is further proof of the worldwide technological competence of the Hankook Tire brand.”

In addition to the standard version of Ventus S1 evo², Hankook Runflat System (HRS), is being used for the first time in the premium original equipment segment. The HRS has been especially adapted by Hankook developers to fit the typical Mercedes aspects of safety and comfort for the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Even in the test phase, both versions of the Ventus S1 evo² being used were distinguished by predictable, reliable handling, outstanding braking performance, high directional stability, low rolling noise and significantly reduced rolling resistance. The reason for it, among others, is a significant weight reduction (less unsprung mass) thanks to an extremely lightweight and highly durable steel cord material used for the belt packaging technology that is also found in the Hankook racing tires in the DTM.

The rubber mixture used is top-notch technology. By extending the mixing periods at reduced temperatures a significant increase of the compounding rate is achieved in the tread surface area. The technique also achieves a significantly more targeted cross-linkage between the carbon black and rubber molecules. The result is less heat generation during the drive, which also has a positive effect on driving dynamic, particularly on rolling resistance and wear-out properties. Furthermore, a specially developed styrene-polymer also significantly increases the grip level of the tires for outstanding braking and traction performance in wet conditions.