Hankook supplies new Ventus S1 evo Z UUHP tyre to Porsche Panamera

Hankook is supplying its new Ventus S1 evo Z ultra-ultra-high performance tyres for the new Porsche Panamera in 19 and 20-inch variants. The tyre-maker extensively tested the tyre at maximum speed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack, a popular proving ground for sporty handling and longevity. “The Porsche Panamera is a high performing four-passenger sports car with outstanding comfort,” says Sanghoon Lee, president of Hankook Tire Europe. “As such, we are very pleased to be the first to equip this model, as it shows that our products are extremely competitive even in the high-end segment. Additional tyres for future Porsche models are already in development at Hankook.” The tyre made its debut on the Mini John Cooper Works GP in late 2020.

The bespoke Ventus S1 evo Z tyres are used in sizes 265/45 ZR19 105Y XL for the front axle and 295/40 ZR19 108Y XL for the rear axle, or 275/40 ZR20 (106Y) XL at the front and 315/35 ZR20 (110Y) XL at the rear – all carrying Porsche’s ND0 sidewall marking.

New Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z features

The Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z was developed for the high-end vehicle segment. It is designed to meet the demanding specifications of this segment, with such features as an aramide composite material in a double-layer carcass, which reduces deformation at high speeds. Avoiding an undesired increase in the rolling circumference means the tyre delivers more handling precision and resistance to heat build-up. Aramide fibres are extremely heat-resistant and strong, with good damping properties and a low weight relative to their size. High-strength steel in the belt and bead areas gives the new Hankook tread additional stability. Combined with the reinforced sidewall, this ensures stability on the straights and steering precision at high and maximum speeds as well as sporty, dynamic handling.

“Our new Ventus S1 evo Z has been specifically developed to ensure high performance of premium segment sports cars across various conditions,” explains Klaus Krause, head of Hankook’s European Research and Development Centre, “these tyres support the excellent dynamics and comfort of the Porsche Panamera, allowing both the driver and the passengers to travel as comfortably as possible.”

Hankook adds that it developed the Ventus S1 evo Z to increase grip in different weather conditions. Its compound optimises interaction between fillers, silica and natural resins. In addition, the compound includes the latest generation of functionally designed polymers, which ensures a consistently high grip across a wide range of applications. This technology originates in Hankook’s racing tyre development, which uses smaller production volumes and material batches. These are processed over significantly longer periods of time in a way that protects the materials used in the compound.

The Ventus S1 evo Z has an asymmetric tread pattern focused on particularly sporty handling. The tread block arrangement optimises block stiffness in various driving situations. Three main drainage grooves positioned in the inner tread area ensure water drains rapidly on wet roads. Hankook adds that it paid special attention to the outer tread area, which has more positive tread area to deliver high-performance cornering and precise lateral guidance, especially in dry conditions.

Currently used as original equipment on premium, sporty vehicles, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z will be available in 15 sizes from 19 to 21 inches with tread widths between 225 and 315 mm in cross-sections from the 45 to 30 series. Hankook plans to add more sizes to complement the line-up, especially in the high-end range.