Five tire companies received the Red Dot Design Award 2024
The North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) design center has announced the list of winners of the annual Red Dot Design Award, which, like in previous years, includes several tire manufacturers. The Red Dot award is considered one of the most prestigious in the field of industrial design, and in 2024, the following tire models received it:
Hankook e-SMART City AU56. A tire specifically designed for urban electric buses, which, according to the manufacturer, has a significantly increased resource compared to conventional bus tires. The tread pattern with opening grooves and 3D lamellas increases the level of grip, while the reduced rolling resistance allows for increasing the range of electric buses between recharges, and side wall protection is also provided. Designer: Aereum Kim.
Hankook iON GT. Summer tires for electric vehicles, created with a focus on ecology. The tire is 77% made from "green" materials, and the groove design is inspired by the wrapping of corn cobs, which helped reduce the noise level. In addition, 3D lamellas increase the stiffness of the tread and improve handling stability. Designer: Aereum Kim.
Kumho WinterCraft W52 EV. A winter tire for electric cars with a side design featuring snowflakes and ice crystals, made using the K-Silent technology, i.e., a noise-reducing material is placed inside the construction. The V-shaped tread pattern has been improved for better acceleration and braking efficiency, as well as handling on snow, and overall, the tires are designed to provide maximum safety during the cold season. Designers: Changjoon Park, Taemin Kim, and Inhee Park.
Lanvigator Ice-Spider II. Studded winter tires from Shandong Haohua Tire, based in Weifang (Shandong Province, China). The number of studs has been increased, which, in combination with their optimized placement scheme in the tread, has improved the traction and braking properties of the tires in difficult conditions, while the three-dimensional design of the grooves helps ensure optimal handling. Additionally, the two-layer tread construction reduces wear on both the studs and the road surface, and the company notes that as the temperature rises, the under-tread layer becomes softer, reducing the protrusion of the studs. Designers: Li Chunju, Wang Lihua, Gao Zan, Xi Mengmeng, Zhou Bokan, Jiang Yue, and Su Jie.
Maxxis Metroloads. Tires for electric bicycles, certified to the ECE-R75 standard and suitable for carrying heavy loads, as well as having increased durability and puncture resistance. The production uses raw materials from recycled fishing nets, which reduces the impact on the environment and resource consumption, and the tread pattern is designed to improve riding characteristics and reduce rolling resistance.
Nexen N’Fera Sport S. A summer tire in the UHP category, approved for equipping Hyundai sports cars from the N Performance line. The central zone of the tread features continuous ribs that improve stability at high speeds, while the sloping walls of the grooves soften vibrations on uneven surfaces, and the rhombus pattern on the sidewalls is intended to convey the sporty character of the tire.
