Hankook tires now OE on BMW 3-series

Hankook Tire has announced that the company is now the original equipment supplier for the new BMW 3-Series. It will be factory equipped with Hankook’s high-performance Ventus S1 evo² tires. Initially, the tire size 205/60 R 16 W will be used as standard on the BMW 3 series versions 316d to 320d and 316i to 320i ex works.

Following on from the Mini and the new 1-Series, the brand-new 3-Series is the third model by BMW Group to be fitted with Hankook tires. “We are pleased about the further intensified cooperation with BMW. With our new high-end product Ventus S1 evo² we have developed a tire that convinced the critical BMW engineers, with regard to driving dynamics and comfort as well as wet grip and rolling resistance, during the intensive selection process,” says Hyun Shick Cho, President & Chief Marketing Officer at Hankook Tire.

Hankook’s high-end tire Ventus S1 evo² was introduced to the market in spring 2012. Even during the trial phase the tire stood out, noted for its high level of driving comfort and low rolling resistance combined with its distinctively dynamic driving characteristics. This in part was achieved through a significant reduction in weight (less unsprung masses) thanks to the use of extremely light yet highly durable steel cord material that, as an example, is applied in the belt package, a technology already used in Hankook racing tires for the German-based DTM, the most popular touring car series worldwide.

By optimising the vulcanisation parameters at reduced temperatures, a significant increase in the connection rate and a more targeted cross-linking of the rubber material was achieved. In combination with a newly developed styrene-butadiene polymer, these measures ensure a significant increase in grip level leading to an outstanding braking and traction performance even in wet conditions, coupled with very low rolling resistance.

“The new BMW 3-Series is one of the few vehicles to master the balancing act between sporty driving dynamics and relaxed long-distance driving comfort, and at the same time be a pioneer in terms of energy efficiency,” says Stefan Fischer, Head of the European Technology Centre (ETC) at Hankook Tire, and also responsible for tire development for the BMW Group.