Hankook Tire has reported an increase in demand for its Ultra Ultra High Performance (UUHP) premium tires. This particularly comes from manufacturers of sports vehicles. The new Porsche Panamera is the latest sports vehicle to feature one such tire – the Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z sports tire tread. It will be available in 19 and 20-inch versions.
The sizes included in each model will depend on the customer’s request. Bespoke Ventus S1 evo Z tires are available in size 265/45 ZR19 105Y XL NDO front and 315/35 ZR20 (110Y) XL ND0 rear. They have been extensively tested at maximum speed at the German Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack, also referred to as the Green Hell. The tests ensure the tire is robust and can meet the sporty demands of the Panamera.
“The Porsche Panamera is a high performing four-passenger sports car with outstanding comfort,” says Sanghoon Lee, President of Hankook Tire Europe. “As such, we are very pleased to be the first to equip this model, as it shows that our products are extremely competitive even in the high-end segment. Additional tires for future Porsche models are already in development at Hankook.”
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z is specifically made for high-end vehicles. These tend to have particular demands, hence, the tire is equipped with a double-layer carcass with an aramid composite material. This prevents deformations, reduces the rolling circumference, improves precision when driving at high speeds, and minimizes chances of heating under heavy use. Aramide fibers are highly heat-resistant. They boast high strength and great damping properties. They also weigh less in relation to their size.
The Ventus tire features improved stability thanks to the high-strength steel in the belt and bead areas. When combined with a reinforced sidewall; stability, sporty, and dynamic handling are guaranteed on the straights as well as steering precision at maximum and high speeds.
“Our new Ventus S1 evo Z has been specifically developed to ensure high performance of premium segment sports cars across various conditions,” explains Klaus Krause, Head of Hankook’s European Research and Development Centre, “these tires support the excellent dynamics and comfort of the Porsche Panamera, allowing both the driver and the passengers to travel as comfortably as possible.”
One of the most important goals when making the Ventus S1 evo Z was to maximize grip under different weather conditions. The tread compound used is similar to that incorporated in motorsport to improve the interaction between natural resins, silica, and fillers. The compound also includes the latest polymers which maintain a consistent high grip across a wide range of applications.
The technology is also used in Hankook’s racing tire compound development and uses smaller production material batches and volumes. These go over longer periods of processing in a way that helps to protect the materials.
Just like other sporty Hankook tires, the Ventus S1 evo Z also boasts an asymmetrically designed tread pattern that focuses on sporty behavior. The tread block arrangement is designed to maximize block stiffness in different driving situations. Additionally, the inner tread area has three main drainage grooves to ensure water is drained faster on wet roads.
The engineers paid special attention to the outer tread area of the Ventus S1 evo Z and included significantly more tread-positive proportion to ensure precise lateral guidance and high-performance cornering, particularly in very sporty driving under dry conditions.
The new Ventus tire is currently fitted on predominant sporty tires by leading premium manufacturers. It will be sold in 15 sizes that range from 19 to 21 inches. These sizes will have tread widths measuring between 225 and 315 mm in cross-sections from the 45 to 30 series. Additional sizes will be included in the coming year to complement the line-up.