Hankook releases AH22+ for regional traffic users

Hankook Tire has released an optimised version of its AH22 truck radial; this new tyre called the AH22+ and is aimed at drivers and fleets operating in regional and delivery traffic. The manufacturer says the all-axle truck and bus tyre makes improved performance possible in both city and overland traffic thanks to an optimised tyre structure with wider belt, reinforced bead and new tread design.

“We invest around five per cent per year in the research and development of our tyres. With the AH22+ we are targeting the specific needs of our customers,” confirmed Jin-Wook Choi, executive vice-president of Hankook Tire and head of the company in Europe. “The premium tyre guarantees long mileages and high efficiency.”

Hankook notes that frequent use in delivery traffic places special demands upon tyres: high mileage and resistance to external influences are important, and high economic efficiency also plays a key role. The structure, tread design and compound of the AH22+ all work together to meet these three needs, Hankook says. The reinforced and flatter carcass design is intended to make a more even distribution of ground pressure possible, which, combined with the reinforced bead structure of the AH22+, is said to guarantee a “significantly longer tyre service life even under maximum load.” Hankook comments that less tyre deformation not only reduces the tyre’s rolling resistance and meets cost-effectiveness requirements for tyres used for delivery traffic, the running smoothness of the tyre – and thus control and driving comfort – are also said to be perceptibly greater.

The optimised tread design of the AH22+ “ensures optimum performance in every phase of the tyre’s service life,” the tyre maker states. Zigzag grooves are intended to guarantee optimum traction even in later phases of use and provide smooth running and control on a wide range of different surfaces possible, while the new shoulder block design helps to prevent impact damage. At the same time, Hankook says the tyre’s deep kerfs guarantee reliable braking performance. Like all new Hankook truck tyres, the AH22+ utilises the company’s IMS (Innovative Mixing System); this is said to allow for a more even distribution of soot particles and rubber molecules possible in the tyre compound, resulting in a particularly low-abrasion and wear-resistant compound mixture that increases the service life of the AH22+ compared with the predecessor tyre. 

The AH22+ is available in sizes 245/70R17.5 136/134M, 315/70R22.5 154/150L, 295/80R22.5 152/148M and 315/80R22.5 156/150L.