The winter tire Hankook W320 i cept Evo2 is one of the novelties of perhaps the most famous South Korean manufacturer. The key feature of this model is a clearly defined "target audience" - European owners of the most powerful modifications of modern compact and mid-size passenger cars. This non-studded tire was designed taking into account the climatic features of Western and Central European countries, where winter, due to the proximity of this territory to the Atlantic Ocean, has a number of distinctive features. Considering our climate, this tire is perfect for car owners living in the middle and southern regions.
Compound with increased silica content and special polymers
A significant part of the advantages of this tire is provided by a number of unique physicochemical properties of the compound used in it. In addition to the increased silica content, it is distinguished by the presence of special polymer compounds that improve several operating properties of the tire at once. In particular, this is improved traction on snowy and wet surfaces, reduced rolling resistance, as well as increased resistance to any type of wear and high-temperature exposure.
Durable and lightweight carcass
Since this model is designed for passenger cars with high dynamic characteristics, it's no surprise that its design is well adapted for high-speed operation. A significant part of the solutions that ensure this fell on the carcass. It is made entirely of synthetic materials using the technology of seamless winding. This made it possible to make the carcass both light and strong, while providing it with high resistance to dynamic deformation. The use of modern cord winding technologies has significantly reduced the level of heating of the tire during high-speed movement, which, in turn, had a positive effect on fuel efficiency and durability.
Reinforced breaker
Another original feature of the design of this tire is the use of a combined breaker. One of its layers is made of steel cord, a significant part of which is located on the sidewalls of the Hankook W320 i cept Evo2 tire. The technology of seamless winding was also used here. Such a design is characterized by a high level of stiffness, which, on the one hand, improves handling, and on the other, reduces fuel consumption and prevents uneven wear.
Special rim sealant
In addition to the breaker, the rim of the tire is also distinguished by a reinforced design. Its base is a special high-strength sealant, which, in combination with the optimized shape of the rim itself, provides a more dense contact between the tire and the wheel disc. In conditions of real operation, this feature manifests itself in the form of improved handling and fast precise reactions to steering wheel turns.
Shoulder areas of increased width
Another factor that determines the excellent handling and stability of the tire in corners is the design of the shoulder areas of its tread. They are characterized by an increased width and a rigid construction of the blocks located here. These same features provide the tire with high efficiency during braking.
3D lamellas of several types
Doing without spikes, this model is characterized by confident behavior on rolled snow and ice. Traction on such types of coverage is provided due to the high efficiency of three-dimensional lamellas, which form a total of several thousand additional gripping edges. At the same time, various features in their design make it possible to improve a number of other important characteristics, thanks to which this tire differs in excellent versatility.
The lamellas in the central part can be blocked between themselves, which increases the stiffness of entire sections of the tread. This feature significantly improves directional stability and handling.
In turn, the lamellas in the shoulder areas of the tread increase the stiffness of the blocks only in the transverse direction. As a result of this solution, traction in corners and during braking is improved.
High-performance drainage system
When developing this model, special attention was paid to ensuring maximum stability not only to aquaplaning but also to slushplaning. It is this aspiration of the specialists of the South Korean brand that is due to the use of very wide drainage grooves. At the same time, the effectiveness of their work was significantly increased due to the location of most of them at a sharp angle and against the movement. This made it possible to maximally involve the centrifugal forces of acceleration in the removal of water and snow slush from the contact patch, under the influence of which the contact patch is very quickly cleared even in the most unfavorable road and weather conditions.
Main features of the Hankook W320 i cept Evo2 tire
- unique physicochemical properties of the tread compound provide it with excellent performance, both in severe frost and during thaw;
- low weight and robust carcass design made entirely of synthetic materials using the technology of seamless cord winding, which improves stability and handling at high speeds, while reducing the level of tire heating;
- additional steel cord in the breaker improves handling, reduces the risk of premature tread wear, reduces rolling resistance;
- high-strength rim sealant and its optimized shape increase the reliability of contact between the tire and the wheel disc, which improves handling, making it more predictable and reliable;
- increased shoulder areas with a large number of wide blocks provide excellent traction in corners and a shortened braking distance;
- several types of three-dimensional lamellas improve a number of technical characteristics in addition to traction on slippery roads, starting from directional stability and ending with the resistance of the tread to uneven wear;
- increased efficiency of the drainage system, which easily copes with the cleaning of the contact patch, both from water and from more heavy snow slush.
