Hankook Tire expands Kinergy AS ev size portfolio

- 18 and 19 inches added to the Kinergy AS ev portfolio to meet diverse needs of consumers
- Provides hyper-low noise environment and supreme driving performance optimized for electric vehicles
- Kinergy AS ev fitted to Volkswagen’s next-generation electric vehicle project

Seoul, Korea, August 10, 2021 - Global leading tire company Hankook Tire announced the size expansion of its electric vehicle specific tire, Kinergy AS ev, to include the new size of 18 and 19 inches. The tire is now available from 16 to 19 inches.

Hankook Tire expands its size offerings to include larger rim diameters to better serve the needs of consumers by adopting changing market trends. As the electric vehicle (EV) market is growing at a fast pace, a diversity of EV models are being released in the market. The new Kinergy AS ev sizes are currently available in Korea only. It will become available for purchase in other markets in the future.

Kinergy AS ev was first introduced to the market in September 2018. It is equipped with top-tier technology to complement unique characteristics of EVs. It provides a hyper-low noise environment optimized for EVs, a comfortable ride and supreme driving performance on par with ultra-high performance tires.

As EVs are free from engine noise, road and tire noise become more noticeable, which is why noise reduction is of utmost importance. The hyper-low noise environment is created with application of advanced noise reduction technologies. The Kinergy AS ev features maximum quietness by applying techniques that reduce the noise produced from tire and the road. Technology to reduce a certain frequency that incurs when driving through optimum pitch arrangement was also applied.

Its block design pattern modeled after electric circuits allows the best driving performance in all kinds of conditions. Furthermore, a new compound and silica reinforcement with increased dispersibility attained through optimal mixing technology were adopted to improve wear resistance. In the meantime, the tread maintains optimum grip force to deliver the high instant torque of an electric motor to the road without loss.

These traits made Kinergy AS ev noticeable in the EV market. Hankook Tire recently announced the tire is equipped to “Volkswagen ID.4: Great Roadshow through the U.S.”, Challenge4’s cross-country tour on all-electric Volkswagen ID.4. The tour kicked off on July 13 to travel across all 48 contiguous U.S. states from July to October. The fact that Kinergy AS ev is chosen as a companion of Volkswagen’s significant project for the next-generation EV market well demonstrates the product’s technological prowess and competitive edge.

In addition to Kinergy AS ev, Hankook Tire offers other EV-dedicated tires as well engineered to be perfect companions for EVs. Ventus S1 evo3 ev, the latest one that was launched last year, is equipped to the first all-electric sports car from Porsche — the Taycan. This year, Hankook Tire expanded its original equipment business for the EV tire supply by equipping Audi e-Tron GT, the company’s first all-electric sports car, as well as the ID.4, Volkswagen's first e-SUV, exworks.

The company has also been selected as the exclusive tire supplier and technical partner for the world’s first fully-electric racing championship, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, from its 2022/23 season when Gen3 is introduced. All vehicles participating in the competition will be equipped with Hankook’s specifically-developed tires.