Hankook continues ‘success story’ with Ventus Prime2

Drawing inspiration from sources that include the “teeth of predatory cats,” the next generation Hankook Ventus premium comfort tyre has pounced onto the European market. The all-new Ventus Prime2 follows on from its similarly-named predecessor, a tyre that achieved European sales of more than ten million units during the seven years it was available. Hankook describes the new tyre, intended for “frequent drivers with a high safety awareness and maximum demands, as an evolution of a format “Ventus Prime drivers have known for many years and grown to love.” The lion’s share of the range will be produced in the company’s Rácalmás, Hungary factory.

Safety features are of the highest priority in the Ventus Prime2, says Hankook, and in this respect the new tyre has made clear gains; Hankook reports a 20 per cent improvement in wet braking distance in comparison with the predecessor tyre. In addition to using new materials and compound technology, the Ventus Prime2 features a tread that draws upon nature; this ‘Bionik’ tread – a name taken from the German words for biology and technology – is said to have been inspired by the teeth of predatory cats: “The block-edge design of the outer profile ridges, based on their fangs, virtually dovetail with the road and therefore guarantee the best possible traction at all times, as well as a significantly improved cornering stability in both wet and dry conditions.”

The tyre’s tread contour is based upon the principle of Multi-Tread Radius Technology. Six (three on each side) different tread width radii are intended to “guarantee a balanced distribution of pressure on the ground, and therefore maximum road contact in all conditions, including during extreme cornering and at very high speeds.” A full-silica tread compound, complete with nano particles and optimised molecule chain ends, is said to delivery high braking power, low road resistance and a high operational performance. Road noise is dealt with by Hankook Tire’s ‘Quiet Ride Technology’, a profile block design optimised for reduced tyre noise.

“For us, the Ventus Prime2 represents the continuation of the success story of its predecessor, and with it a great challenge for our developers”, states Jin-Wook Choi, Hankook Tire executive vice-president and the company’s European director. “It is not easy to improve a very good product, and the Ventus Prime was always one of the best in its class. As a result, the development process was extremely time-consuming, but our ultimate goal is to develop pioneering technology. We reinvest a good five percent of our turnover in research and development each year. The technological basis of the entire Ventus product range represents our development and design philosophy control technology, which is targeted at the optimised controlling of the interaction between the car and the road by the tyres.”

The new range is available in 42 sizes for 15 to 18-inch rim diameters and in H to W speed ratings. Extra load and run-flat versions are also available.