Hankook to equip Volkswagen's first all-electric SUV with Ventus S1 evo 3 ev tyres

Hankookis expanding its original equipment business in the electromobility sector. Fromthe market launch, the tyre maker will equip Volkswagen’s first all-electricSUV, the ID.4, with its Ventus S1 evo 3 ev tyres developedspecifically for electric cars. The tyres’ reduced rolling resistance sustainsthe vehicle’s range, while the lightweight, yet particularly stable double-layercarcass construction confidently carries the vehicle weight of Volkswagen’s new,sporty all-rounder, and supports its dynamic characteristics. A prototype ofthe Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 ev has already been fitted on the VW study ID. Crozz,the design of which the new ID.4 is based on.

Seoul, Korea / Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 21 July 2021 – Premium tyre maker Hankook is expanding its originalequipment business for the supply of tyres for electric vehicles to include theID.4, Volkswagen’s first e-SUV. To meet the requirements of this drivetechnology, the ID.4 will be equipped with the Ventus S1 evo 3 evtyre developed specifically for electric cars. Depending on the equipmentvariant, the size range from 18- to 21 Inch are partly equipped with HankookSEALGUARD® puncture protection technology. Also available with originalequipment tyres in 20 and 21 inch is the twin-engine brother of the ID.4, theVW ID.4 GTX: sustainable as an ID, sporty as a GTI, comfortable as an SUV.

"Theprototypes of various electric vehicles from VW were already running on Hankooktyres. We are pleased to be able to further expand and support the portfolio ofalternative drive systems with the ID.4 tyres together with our long-standingglobal original equipment partner Volkswagen," says Sanghoon Lee, President ofHankook Tire Europe. "With this, we want to make an additional, importantcontribution to sustainable mobility."

Reducedrolling resistance, lower weight and higher load-bearing capacity:characteristics that are of particular importance for electric vehicle tyres, inorder to support battery performance and the vehicle’s range, while at the sametime supporting the concept-related higher vehicle weight. To meet thesespecial requirements, Hankook engineers have equipped the EV tyre Ventus S1 evo3 ev with a double-layer carcass made of a specially developed high-performancefibre. It offers very high stability with a low tare weight relative to itssize. Also important is the tread compound of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev, which – forexcellent grip in wet and dry conditions – has been adapted to the needs of veryhigh drive torque deploying electric vehicles, while optimising rollingresistance at the same time. In the 20-inch dimensions, an additionalsteel-based reinforcement is also used in the bead area due to the reducedsidewall height, which contributes to further increased sidewall stiffness. Inaddition to a precise fit of the tyre on the rim, this also ensuresparticularly sporty, direct steering response.

TheHankook SEALGUARD® sealing technology, applied in the Hankook 19-, 20- and 21-inchdimensions for the VW ID.4, automatically seals punctures up to 5mm in diameterwithin the tyre’s tread area. SEALGUARD® offers the advantage that even in theunlikely event of a nail puncture, for example, a trip can be continued withoutany problems and the tyre does not need changing. Therefore, a spare wheel nolonger needs to be carried in SEALGUARD®-equipped vehicles, providingadditional space in the boot, saving weight, and eliminating the need for apotentially dangerous wheel change at the roadside. In addition to their safetybenefits, tyres equipped with Hankook’s SEALGUARD® technology continue to offerthe usual comfort, as their basic construction does not differ from tyres withoutSEALGUARD®.

Numerousleading vehicle manufacturers are already equipping their electric and hybridmodels with Hankook EV tyres as a standard fitment because Hankook continuouslyinvests in research and development and is well prepared for the changes in themobility industry Sustainability is a particular concern for the tyre maker.For example, the Group is the only Asian company to be listed in the renownedDow Jones World Sustainability Index (DJSI World) for the fifth time insuccession and last year received the prestigious EcoVadis Platinum Award forits global sustainable commitment. In addition, the company was recentlyconfirmed as the new, exclusive tyre supplier and technical partner for the"ABB FIA Formula E World Series" from the 2022/23 season onwards, where Hankookwill deploy particularly sustainable and energy-saving motorsport tyres.