Hankook launches new winter tire

Neu-Isenburg, Germany – Hankook Tire Europe has introduced its new winter tire – Winter i*cept RS² – as part of the company’s new Winter i*cept generation.

The tire, Winter i*cept RS²,  said the company, is optimised for the moderate winter conditions in central and western Europe and is already market available.

The directional V-shaped tread design features 28 percent more pitches as well as increased groove and block edge length, which lead to enhanced traction on snow-covered surfaces.

Moreover, the corrugated 3D sipes increase traction and braking performance on all smooth surfaces.

Hankook added that special ice slits and grip claw 3D edges have been featured in the tire to make for further improved cornering performance and snow traction.

The tire is equipped with special nano-sized, high dispersible silica compound, resistant to hardening in low temperatures and a new solution-styrene butadiene rubber.

The new compound, said Hankook, ensures the tread stays elastic even at very low temperatures, providing high traction and braking power by increasing the tire’s contact area on wintery and wet roads.

The Winter i*cept RS² is predominantly produced in Hankook’s European production site in Hungary and is now available in sizes varied from 14 – 17 inches, in tread widths of 165 – 225 mm with aspect ratios from 45 – 70 series in speed indexes H and T.