Hankook extends Audi RS original tyre fitments

Audi RS 6 Avant, Audi RS 7 Sportback both roll off the factory lines on Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 or Winter i*cept evo 2

Audi RS 6 Avant (Photo: Audi/Hankook)

Hankook will supply original tyres for the Audi RS 6 Avant and Audi RS 7 Sportback. Both models are due to be launched in 2020. Hankook will supply its Ventus S1 evo 3 UHP summer tyre and Winter i*cept evo 2 winter tyre in 21 or 22 inch dimensions. The new fitments extend Hankook’s original equipment business at Audi on its powerful RS models – it has recently supplied OE tyres to the RS 5 Coupé and the RS 4 Avant. The RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback feature 441 kW (600 hp) engines, sprinting from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds. While they are high-performance sports cars, Audi has designed the models to offer space and comfort for the whole family.

The chosen tyres also reflect this combination of performance, safety and comfort. In addition to the industry-standard release tests for RS tyres, Hankook’s tyres needed to withstand ten laps of the Nürburgring’s legendary Nordschleife at maximum possible speed. This test of tyre construction ensures that the tyre is robust, while not compromising on comfort under normal driving conditions.

Hankook says the two supplied tyres are “all-rounders,” suited to this “particularly demanding vehicle segment.” Both new Audi RS models will be fitted with Hankook’s Ventus S1 evo 3 in 275/35 ZR21 (103Y) XL AO or optionally 285/30 ZR22 (101Y) XL AO tyres. The Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback can also be equipped with the Winter i*cept evo 2, in 245/40 R21 100V XL AO or 285/30 R22 101W XL AO, for safe winter driving.

“Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback combine impressive driving performance with suitability for everyday use,” says Sanghoon Lee, president of Hankook Tire Europe. “The same can be said about our premium tyres. As a long-standing partner, we already equip many high-performance Audi models and are very proud that our products have once again managed to impress Audi Sport GmbH.”

Tyre features

The Ventus S1 evo 3 is equipped with a high-strength bead core. This, in combination with a reinforced sidewall, ensures sporty and dynamic handling, driving control, straight-line stability and steering precision at high speeds. The tyre’s double-layer carcass and the use of a special aramid composite material reduce the expansion of the rolling circumference at speeds above 300km/h by up to 60 per cent compared to previously used fabrics, Hankook adds. The new tread compound uses high-performance natural resins to improve grip, traction, and braking performance on both dry and wet roads.

Audi demanded a reduction in interior noise, typical of low-profile sports tyres at certain speed, in the development of the original tyres. The optional winter Hankook Winter i*cept evo 2 has an asymmetric tread, which helps to achieve this. The outer side of the tread contains a wide block pattern to improve handling characteristics and deliver precise lateral stability, especially in dry conditions. The inner side of the tread has an increased number of tread block edges and sipes. These improve braking and traction performance on snow, slush and wet roads.