Hankook Reaffirms Commitment to Vehicle Modification Group

As part of its commitment to motoring that is both enjoyable and responsible, Hankook Tire recently signed a contract at the Essen Motor Show confirming its ongoing partnership with the German tuning organisation VDAT. Vehicle tuning and modification enjoys a very strong following in this country and Hankook’s third consecutive year of support for the VDAT ‘Tune it! Safe!’ campaign sends a clear message that the manufacturer is fully behind those involved in the tuning scene – so long as the modifications made to vehicles are safe and legal.

“The ‘Tune it! Safe!’ campaign is very important for us. With the continuation of our engagement we want to further support the valuable activities for more road safety also in the tuning-segment”, commented Hankook Tire Executive Vice-President and COO for Europe Seung-Do Jin on the reasons for supporting the campaign. “By supporting the campaign Hankook Tire wants to help make tuning safer. For that reason we offer ultra high performance products specially developed for the tuning market, which are of very high quality and fairly priced, so that tuning fans with a limited budget do not have to turn to low quality products.”

Every year the campaign features a heavily tuned vehicle – entirely legal, of course – as an ‘ambassador’ that is prominently displayed during campaign activities. The vehicle is painted in the blue and silver German Police livery, a further reminder of why it is important to keep modifications within the law. Previous years have seen a Techart-Porsche 911 and a Mercedes CLS-based “Brabus Rocket” wearing the Polizei colour scheme, and in 2008 a Brabus Smart has been given the distinction. Hankook will fit this small yet potent vehicle with tyres from its ‘Ventus S1 evo’ range in the extra wide but legal sizes of 205/40 ZR 18 XL 86 Y at the front and 225/35 ZR 18 XL 87 Y for the rear.

For 2008 the campaign will have a second car cruising through the international tuning scene. As part of a special training project a Seat Leon from Abt Sportsline has been developed by young company-trainees, following the motto “extreme, but legal”. Despite a number of substantial changes and add-ons this car also fulfils all legal requirements. The tyres are again provided by Hankook Tire; Ventus S1 evo tyres were selected, this time in size 225/35 ZR 19 XL 88 Y.