Hankook presents the new iON FlexClimate, its first four-season tyre specifically designed for electric vehicles (cars and SUVs). The latest addition to the iON range is available in the 8 most popular sizes in the electric vehicle segment for cars and SUVs. The range will later be expanded to include other popular sizes between 17 and 21 inches. All Hankook iON products can also be used on traditional ICE or hybrid vehicles given the appropriate dimensions. Thanks to the latest technologies, the new iON FlexClimate offers feels safe and comfortable in both summer and mild winter road conditions. In addition to wet grip, key features include low rolling resistance and a weight-optimised, yet robust construction especially suited to the requirements of electrically powered vehicles. The main technical feature of the new iON FlexClimate, available for both cars and SUVs, is a special 3D sipes pattern. Thanks to this, the tyre guarantees reliable grip on dry and wet roads and even in light snowfall. At the same time, the new ProGrip tread compound offers wet grip thanks to a combination of high-density silica and other sustainable raw materials. In order to guarantee the required performance also in snow, the tread has a high density of sipes: so-called 2-in-1 sipes in combination with additional grooves in each individual tread blocks ensure good traction and braking performance also on light snow. The iON FlexClimate tyre bears M+S and 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) markings and can therefore be used in many European countries all year round.
EV specific
With the new iON FlexClimate, Hankook takes into account the greater mass of electric vehicles by using a belt reinforced with particularly strong aramid fibres and an evenly distributed load across the entire width of the tread. This provides a higher load bearing capacity per tyre, effectively counteracting deformation forces at higher speeds and ensuring precise steering and good cornering stability. In addition, the even load distribution increases tread life. Thanks to the new Grip Boost technology, the stiffness of the tyre sidewalls in combination with the aramid fibre belt is increased by 20 per cent, ensuring driving comfort and better vehicle control. The special tread compound with high natural resin content found on all iON products guarantees durability and, as the company points out, reduces abrasion. At the same time, it provides the grip needed to safely transfer the high driving torques of electric vehicles. Thanks to Hankook's modern compound process and Opti-Cure technology, the tread design of the iON FlexClimate reduces movement in the tread. This further reduces energy loss and consequently rolling resistance.
iON FlexClimate is Hankook's first 4-season tyre designed for EVs
