Hankook returned to the super sport segment
Hankook announced that after nearly a decade of absence, it is returning to the super sports segment and introducing a new summer passenger tire, the Hankook Ventus evo Z (Z001), to the European (and Russian) market, designed for use on both racing tracks and in everyday life.
According to the company, compared to semi-slicks, the new tires have increased tread depth and durability, while providing excellent grip and handling on the track. The target consumer group includes owners of sports cars, tuning enthusiasts, and participants in racing competitions, "who are already familiar with Hankook's products thanks to our extensive presence in international motorsports and long-term cooperation with such automotive brands as AMG, BMW M, and Porsche".
The Hankook Ventus evo Z tires are road-legal and meet all the requirements of the ECE standard, including tread depth, which for summer passenger tires cannot be less than 1.6 mm. During development, tests were conducted using the HWA Evo - a modern version of the legendary racing car Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II from the 90s. "The lessons learned during testing were used to create the final version of the tires, which guarantees precise handling and high traction on the track, while also paying attention to other important characteristics of summer tires," notes Hankook.
The asymmetric tread pattern of the new tires features grooves with varying depth and width, which should maximize stability, while the breaker belt has been reinforced with aramid fibers, increasing the stiffness of the tread and making it easier for the tires to maintain size stability under load. Additionally, the outer zone features closed grooves, which increases the contact patch area and block stiffness during maneuvering, and the rubber compound includes a resin with increased thermal stability.
In 2026, the tires will be available in sizes with a rim diameter from 18 to 21 inches, and almost all of them will have a speed index (Y), meaning they can be used at speeds over 300 km/h. In other sizes, the tires have a speed index of Y (up to 300 km/h).