Hankook has launched two new winter tires: the Winter I*cept Evo 4 for passenger cars and the Winter I*cept Evo 4 SUV. Both models offer improvements in rolling resistance and noise reduction compared to their predecessors, and a 15% increase in mileage over the previous generation, the tire maker said.
Hankook attributes the Winter I*cept Evo 4’s lower rolling resistance to a reduced curing temperature and improved silica dispersion, which it says contributes to lower fuel consumption and driving stability. Rolling noise has also been reduced through a reworked tread design featuring diagonally cut tread blocks and redesigned central grooves.
Hankook says the Winter I*cept Evo 4’s tread geometry improves braking performance on snow and traction in adverse conditions.
“With the new Winter I*cept Evo 4, Hankook is continuing the success story of its winter tire family,” said Jongho Park, president and COO of Hankook Tire Europe. “The new model combines safe driving characteristics with maximum comfort. At the same time, the low rolling resistance meets the requirement for uncompromising efficiency.”
For winter tires, the tread plays a particularly important role as the tire compound is softer. This allows for a larger contact surface between tread strip and road, thereby reducing wear. The Hankook engineers specifically leveraged this effect to increase mileage compared with the predecessor model.
The Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4 will be available in 93 sizes for passenger cars, the Winter I*cept Evo 4 SUV in 75 sizes.
Related news, Cooper Tires broadens all-season range for cars, SUVs and vans
