New awards, test wins show quality of Hankook’s winter and all-season tyre ranges

Hankook’s comprehensive range of winter and all-season car and van tyres have been scooping up plenty of awards and recommendations over the past few years. This has been reflected in commendations for both the Kinergy 4S and 4S2 all-season models by Tyres & Accessories’ sister independent tyre comparison website WhatTyre, which considers tyres’ performance in a range of quality tyre tests, original equipment fitments, and several other metrics. In addition to the Kinergy 4S2, the manufacturer’s core all-season range includes the Vantra ST AS 2 for vans, and the Kinergy 4S2 X for SUVs, while its winter collection, including the Winter i*cept evo 3,  Winter i*cept evo 3 X, Winter i*cept LV, and Winter i*cept RS 2 has also received its share of plaudits.

Hankook’s ultra-high performance Winter i*cept evo 3 is designed for upper mid-size cars to sports cars and luxury sedans and is a factory fitment on many European premium vehicle manufacturers. The Winter i*cept evo 3 and Winter i*cept evo 3 X for SUVs are the latest additions to Hankook’s UHP winter range. They feature a directional design tread pattern that provides grip in wet and snowy conditions and reduces the risk of aquaplaning. During independent test, the Winter i*cept evo 3 was named test winner in Auto Bild Sportscars, one of Europe’s leading automotive magazines for high-performance sports cars. It was also recommended by Tyre Reviews in 2021; the site said the tyre achieved “short braking distances on dry roads, very good performance across all wet tests including the aquaplaning hazard test, the best subjective handling during a lap in wet conditions, and very good grip across all snow tests.”

The Winter i*cept LV for vans has been developed to provide a more stable grip on snow, ice and wet roads as well as to significantly increase mileage. This tyre offers an increase in mileage of up to 10 per cent compared to conventional models, including a wider tread design. An optimised groove structure on the shoulder block prevents irregular wear and contributes to increased mileage and economy.

The Vantra ST AS 2, an all-season van tyre with the 3PMSF symbol, has been designed for reliable driving in all weather conditions. Particularly suited to road surfaces common in urban areas during the cold season and, with its specially developed “Ice-Philic-Technology”, the Vantra ST AS 2 ensures increased grip even at lower temperatures.

Hankook’s award-winning all-season range for passenger cars and SUVs has also scored highly in key independent magazine tests. The Kinergy 4S 2 won the Auto Express 2021 All-Season Tyre Test and the Kinergy 4S 2 X for SUVs won the 2021 Auto Bild Allrad All-Season Tyre Test. The V-shaped tread pattern and ultra-modern tread compound, which uses natural oil components, ensure stable driving and braking behaviour throughout the year across the various temperature ranges that regularly occur in the UK.

Finally, Hankook has not forgotten the importance of winter mobility to electric vehicle drivers. The manufacturer’s innovative new iON line of specialist electric vehicle tyres, launched in 2022, includes the Winter i*cept iON, coming to European markets in September, and the Ventus iON A all-season model, alongside the manufacturer’s Ventus iON S summer tyre.

Hankook will launch a specialist winter electric vehicle tyre in September, the Winter i*cept iON (Photo: Hankook)