Hankook has become a tire supplier for the BMW iX electric crossover <br /> Hankook became the supplier of tires for the BMW iX electric crossover

Hankook Tire continues to strengthen its partnership with BMW, and previously, the Korean brand's tires have already been homologated for key models such as the seventh-generation BMW M5, introduced last year, as well as the 1, 2, 3, and 4 series vehicles and the X1, X3, and X5 crossovers, and now the new flagship electric crossover iX with over 500 horsepower joins them.

For the iX, Hankook's summer and all-season tires - iON evo SUV and iON evo AS SUV, respectively - have been approved, both of which were specifically designed for this type of vehicle and feature four key technologies from the iON Innovation Technology package, allowing for reduced noise and rolling resistance while also improving wear resistance and providing the necessary level of traction. 

In creating the iON SUV summer tire, the EV Shape technology was also applied, which increased lateral stiffness by 10%, while high-strength aramid fibers in the breaker improved handling at high speeds, the optimized width of the longitudinal and transverse channels of the tread accelerates water evacuation, and the rubber compound, developed specifically for the EV segment, further increases grip and braking efficiency on wet roads. In addition, in-cabin noise has been reduced by 18%, the reduced rolling resistance can provide a 6% increase in energy efficiency, and the rubber compound includes high-dispersion silica and eco-friendly materials, which, in combination with the optimized profile, reduce uneven wear and increase tire life by 15%.

In turn, the all-season iON evo AS SUV has a tread pattern that, due to the narrowing of the air flows passing through the grooves, reduces noise across the entire speed range, and a special compound, according to the company, provides stable traction and handling throughout the year (in regions with mild winters), including on snow, dry, and wet asphalt. The production uses low-temperature vulcanization technology, which, due to the uniform distribution of ingredients in the rubber compound, reduced rolling resistance, while the transverse stiffness of the tire was increased by 25%, improving lateral stability by 20%. In addition, the uniform distribution of loads in the contact patch prevents abnormal wear and extends the life of the tires.

Hankook notes that after the successful homologation of tires for the BMW i4 - the first fully electric Gran Coupe from the German brand - the company continued to confirm the high level of its technologies and its status as a key partner for BMW in the context of electrifying the automaker's lineup. In addition, since 2014, Hankook has been a partner and exclusive tire supplier for the BMW Driving Center in Korea, in honor of which three corporate videos were presented in 2022.