Hankook develops SmartTouring, a new ultra-modern tyre for long-distance coaches

Tyre maker Hankook is launching a new coach tyre for long-distance travel in the European market. Having anticipated the growing significance of long-distance coach travel and thus the increasing demand for high-technology coach tyres in this category, tyre maker Hankook is launching a new coach tyre for long-distance travel in the European market. The new Hankook SmartTouring AL22 can be used on all axle positions and provides maximum ride and rolling comfort, excellent concentricity, a very low rolling noise and, as is customary with Hankook tyres, optimised rolling resistance and low wear for particularly efficient travel.

Hanover, Germany, 21 September, 2016 – Premium tyre maker Hankook is presenting a state-of-the-art tyre for long-distance European coach travel at this year's IAA for Commercial Vehicles. The Hankook SmartTouring AL22 will be available in the sizes 295/80R22.5 and 315/80R22.5 from market launch and is suitable for all long-distance coach wheels in all axle positions. Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of the European Development Centre in Hanover adds: “During development of the SmartTyre line, we focused particularly on ride and rolling comfort as well as on a straight driving performance. The characteristics of the SmartTouring AL22 not only allow maximum travel comfort for passengers, they also maximise driving and handling comfort for the driver on long-distance trips.”

The carcass contour of the SmartTouring AL22 ensures the best suspension properties and contributes to a particularly safe driving style. The longitudinal 5-rib profile with its closed, solid central rib makes an excellent, straight driving performance possible at all times. Special Multi-3D sipes guarantee both good traction and an outstanding braking response.

The bead area of the SmartTouring AL22 has been developed for outstanding retreadability. In addition, its new contour achieves a particularly precise rim joint stiffness, which results in excellent concentricity and travel comfort.

The individual belt layers of the new SmartTouring AL22 are structurally arranged in such a way that significantly less heat is developed in operation compared to conventional tyres. This effect not only reduces rolling resistance, thus economising on fuel, it also considerably extends the service life of the tyre.

Fuel savings through reduced heat development have been achieved not only by the belt structure, but also by the tread compound used for the Hankook SmartTouring AL22. Special soot molecules with a larger volume and a particularly stable structure are used for the basic tread rubber, leading to a significant reduction in energy loss during movement. These so-called highly structured carbon molecules also guarantee enhanced abrasion resistance and, in combination with the other technologies, help to increase the mileage of the SmartTouring AL22 compared with conventional products by more than 17 percent.

About Hankook Tire

Hankook Tire manufactures globally innovative, award-winning radial tyres of proven superior quality for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs, trucks, and buses as well as motorsports (circuit racing/street circuits/rallies).

Aspiring to bring consumers the utmost excellence in product quality, technological excellence and driving satisfaction, Hankook Tire continuously invests in research and development maintaining five R&D centres and eight production facilities around the world. Bespoke tyre solutions for the European markets as well as European Original Equipment according to the requirements of leading premium car manufacturers, are developed in the company’s regional Technical Centre in Hanover/Germany. Production for the European region is taking place in the state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Rácalmás/Hungary which was inaugurated in June 2007 and is continuously being expanded.

Hankook Tire’s European headquarters are located in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt am Main in Germany. The manufacturer operates further branches in several European countries and sells its products through regional distributors in other local markets. Hankook Tire employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide and sells products in over 160 countries. The company has been the technical partner and exclusive tyre supplier of the Generation 3 for the FIA ABB Formula E World Championship since 2023. Internationally leading car manufacturers rely on tyres made by Hankook for their original equipment. Approximately 38 percent of the company's global sales are generated within the European region.

For more information please visit www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com or www.hankooktire.com

Hankook Tire Europe GmbH | Marketing Communications Europe | Siemensstr. 14, 63263 Neu-Isenburg | Germany

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