Hankook focuses on labelling in latest winter product

Hankook is intent on meeting labelling legislation head-on with its latest winter tyre, the Winter i*cept RS. The tyre, designed for small city vehicles up to MPVs is optimised for the moderate climate of Central and Western Europe, the manufacturer says, designed for wet, snowy, slushy and also dry roads. The directional, V-shaped five-rib tread features 14 per cent more kerfs (otherwise known as sipes), which are arranged at lateral angles between 0° in the centre-tread and 15° in the shoulder for greater traction. The tread is wider compared to the previous model, increasing the contact patch. Grip on snow and slush is improved by blocks in a staggered arrangement along the middle of the tread, while corrugated 3D kerfs increase traction and braking performance on all smooth surfaces.

The Winter i*cept RS has a full-silica compound for elasticity at very low temperatures, improving cold traction and braking power. For better wet performance, the tyre has four main grooves to drain water quicker preventing hydroplaning. Hankook says the tread life is lengthened and rolling resistance reduced by eight per cent over “conventional profiles”, while the revised block design has allowed the tyre to reduce tyre noise. As these latter characteristics are those concerned with labelling, the manufacturer shows where some of the tyre’s design has been focussed.

The Winter i*cept RS is available in the UK in 25 dimensions, between 13 and 16 inches, series 80 to 55, and tread widths of 155–205mm.

Also available in the Korean manufacturer’s winter range is the Winter i*cept evo for upper midsize to prestige vehicles. It has an asymmetrical tread pattern, and what the company calls a “high-technology tread compound” to enhance winter weather performance. UHP sizes equipped with a rim protection ridge too. It is available in 54 dimensions in the UK, between 15 and 18 inches, and speed rated V.

Hankook also has the Winter RW06 stud-less, symmetrical winter tyre, designed for commercial use on light trucks and vans. It is available in 14 dimensions in the UK, between 14 and 16 inches.