Spring 2018 launch for Hankook Kinergy Eco²

A new generation of Hankook Kinergy Eco will be released in spring 2018. The Kinergy Eco² was developed for modern small, compact and mid-range vehicles and, like its predecessor, a focus has been placed upon safety, fuel economy and driving comfort. An initial launch range of 52 sizes will cover demand in the 13- to 16-inch rim diameter size bracket.

Optimisation of wet braking performance was a stated focus during development of the latest addition to the Kinergy family. A high-grip silica tread compound in conjunction with the compounding technology already used for the company’s performance products is said to provide a much better distribution of polymers and fillers in the tread compound. “This has improved both wet braking performance and reduced rolling resistance even further,” shares Hankook. In addition, three linear grooves evacuate water more quickly from the tyre’s contact patch, thereby increasing vehicle control on wet roads.

A new asymmetrical tread pattern design has been used, and the tyre maker says this offers more contact between the tyre and road than the previous generation tyre. The tread, adds Hankook, is also stiffer both radially and laterally, as is its outer shoulder, giving the Kinergy Eco² “more driving stability and a significantly better dry performance.” Dry braking is said to be superior by four per cent than the previous generation thanks to the application of chamfered tread block edges across the entire tread surface, which immediately increased the contact surface during braking. Wear resistance is also four per cent better, an improvement made through the use of newly-developed polymers with a high molecular weight in the tread compound.

Thanks to an improved pitch design, the noise development of the tyre has been further reduced, particularly at around the 60mph mark. By using the latest Hankook design technology when positioning the tread grooves, its development engineers were able to achieve a significant reduction in the level of noise generated by the tread, even though tyre life has been improved. Like all current Hankook products, the Kinergy Eco² has a Visual Alignment Indicator System (VAI) on both tyre shoulders, which allows drivers to check the basic body alignment.