Hankook Tire outpaces Europe’s best in stringent performance tests

Hankook Tire & Technology's ultra-high-performance tire, Ventus evo / Courtesy of Hankook Tire & Technology

Hankook Tire & Technology said its ultra-high-performance tire, Ventus evo, outperformed some of the industry’s most established brands on their home turf, taking top honors in influential European performance tests.

The tire ranked first in recent comparative evaluations by leading German automotive publications, underscoring the company’s push into the top tier of the global market.

The tire secured the top spot in evaluations by Auto Bild and its sister publication Auto Bild Allrad, outperforming competitors from major brands including Michelin, Goodyear and Pirelli.

In the Auto Bild test, 50 tire models in the 245/45R19 category were fitted on a BMW 5 Series and evaluated across more than 10 performance criteria on both dry and wet roads. Ventus evo delivered the fastest lap time in wet handling among the top 20 finalists and demonstrated stable, high-level handling on dry surfaces, according to Hankook Tire.

Its braking performance stood out in particular, recording the shortest stopping distance among all tested products — a key safety benchmark — the publication said.

The tire also took first place in tests by Auto Bild Allrad, which evaluated nine SUV tires in the 255/45R19 category across on- and off-road conditions. Ventus evo delivered the strongest overall performance, earning top marks in wet handling, high-speed braking from 100 kilometers per hour, and traction on surfaces such as wet grass and gravel.

Both publications said the tire demonstrated “outstanding handling, braking and grip” in both wet and dry conditions.

The recognition adds to a run of strong reviews in Europe, where the tire has gained momentum since its launch. In a recent test by Tyre Reviews, Ventus evo earned a “highly recommended” rating, with particular praise for its grip and braking on wet roads.

The company said the tire incorporates an advanced compound developed using artificial intelligence, balancing performance and driving stability to support high-performance vehicles.

Since its European debut in November 2024, Ventus evo has continued to collect accolades, including an “exemplary” rating from Auto Bild and a “performance tire of the year” award from What Tyre, an independent tire comparison website and news platform.

Hankook & Company Group Chairman Cho Hyun-bum has emphasized technological innovation as a core strategy, the company said, pointing to major investments in research and testing infrastructure.

These include Hankook Technoplex, the group’s high-tech global headquarters just south of Seoul. Hankook Tire Technodome serves as its central research and development hub in Daejeon, equipped with advanced wind tunnels and driving simulators. Hankook Tire Technoring in Taean is a large-scale proving ground with 13 specialized tracks for extreme performance testing.

The company said it plans to build on those capabilities to further strengthen its leadership in the ultra-high-performance tire segment.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.