HANKOOK Tire announced that they are now original equipment supplier for the new BMW 3-Series. The best-selling model by the Munich-based premium car manufacturer will be factory equipped amongst others with Hankook’s high-performance Ventus S1 evo² tyres. Initially, the tyre 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 tyres. According to Jin-Wook Choi, Hankook Tire President and CEO for Europe, becoming the original equipment supplier for one of the best-selling, key models in the BMW range is proof of trust and motivation. He added that they are pleased about the further intensified cooperation with BMW.
Introduced to the market in spring 2012, its high-end product Ventus S1 evo² provides driving dynamics and comfort as well as wet grip and rolling resistance. This in part was achieved through a significant reduction in weight (less unsprung masses) through extremely light yet highly durable steel cord material, a technology already used in Hankook racing tyres for the German-based DTM, one of 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 the wet coupled with a very low rolling resistance.
At present, 45 engineers and specialists working at the ETC in Langenhagent near Hanover in Germany are working on bespoke tyres for the European vehicle industry. This is where the tyres for the new BMW 3-Series were developed and underwent extensive testing. All tyres for the BMW Group are currently being manufactured at the company’s main plant in Geumsan in South Korea. The high-tech tyre plant, which specializes in the production of ultra-high-performance tyres, has recently been extended by a new production division for high-end tyres. Alongside the BMW tyres for the 1-Series and 3-Series models, the plant also manufactures the Original Equipment tyres for the Mini.(PRA)
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