Hankook Tire recently announced a new addition to its truck, bus, and radial lineup. The SmartFlex DL 15+ joins other TBR Hankook tires with its unique tread design, increased fuel efficiency, and enhanced traction.
The commercial tire boasts an optimized bead profile that improves energy dissipation when hauling heavy loads and reduces tire deformation. Heat generation is also significantly reduced to improve the life of the rubber.
The SmartFlex DL 15+ is based on Hankook’s Smartec TBR technology. The technology centers around 5 main core values – safety, mileage, chip and cut resistance, traction, and retreadability.
The tire manufacturer included more design elements to improve fuel efficiency, handling, and stability. They include:
- Combined rib and semi-bloc pattern
- Wide closed shoulder pattern
The 3D sipes are also self-generating, helping to reinforce the blocks and improve traction.