Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 15. July 2021 – Ultra-Ultra-High-Performance is the name of the tyre category introduced by Hankook this year with the market launch of the Ventus S1 evo Z, which is designed for particularly sporty high-performance vehicles. As a first for the premium tyre manufacturer, BMW M GmbH vehicles, namely the X3 M and X4 M models will feature the new tread. The Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z’s characteristics underline the motorsport DNA of the M models. This manifests as remarkably high dynamics, agility, and precision. With a maximum output of 510 hp and 650 Nm of torque on the Competition models, both models accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
In addition to the release tests customary in the industry, the mixed tyres used here in sizes 255/40 ZR21 102Y☆ on the front axle and 265/40 ZR21 105Y☆ on the rear axle were also extensively tested at maximum speed on the legendary Nordschleife bend at the Nürburgring. This ensures that the tyre construction is robust and able to meet the demands of the M models at all times.
“Our company was founded 80 years ago,” says Sanghoon Lee, President of Hankook Tire Europe, “So it’s certainly a special gift that our latest product has been able to win over BMW M GmbH, a particularly prestigious customer from the sports car manufacturer segment.”
For this highly demanding vehicle segment, especially when it comes to tyres, the Ventus S1 evo Z has been equipped with an aramid composite material in a double-layer carcass. This prevents deformations caused by possible heat development during extensive use. Deformations would otherwise lead to an undesired increase in the rolling circumference and less precise handling at high speeds. Aramid fibres are extremely heat-resistant and are characterised by their very high strength as well as good damping properties with a low weight relative to their size. The new Hankook tread pattern gains additional stability from high-strength steels in the belt and bead areas, which, in combination with the reinforced sidewall, ensure straight-line stability and steering precision, as well as sporty, dynamic handling.
Another focus when developing the Ventus S1 evo Z was on high grip in different weather conditions. The tread compound used is borrowed from Hankook’s motorsport research and development. For an optimal interaction of fillers, silica and natural resins, the latest generation of functional polymers have been used in the mixture. This ensures a consistently high level of grip across a wide range of applications. The compound technology used in production originates from Hankook’s racing tyre development, where smaller material batches are processed gently, over significantly longer periods of time.
Often seen with particularly sporty treads, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z also uses an asymmetrically designed tread pattern. The arrangement of the individual tread blocks has been developed to ensure optimum block stiffness under various driving conditions. Three main drainage grooves positioned in the inner tread area ensure water is drained efficiently in wet conditions. In addition, special attention has been paid to the outer tread area of the tyre, where a significantly increased proportion of tread takes into account the requirements for high-performance cornering and precise lateral guidance, particularly for very sporty driving in dry conditions. Other tyres for M GmbH models are already in development at Hankook.
The new Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z is currently used as original equipment by leading premium manufacturers and is currently available in 15 dimensions from 19 to 21 inches with tread widths between 225 and 315 mm in cross-sections from the Series 30 to 45. Throughout the year additional sizes will complement the line-up, with a focus on the high-end range.
Images: BMW M GmbH
