Hankook tires have been approved for the electric hatchback Cupra Born
Hankook Tire has become the supplier of tires for the electric hatchback Cupra Born with a power of up to 230 hp, accelerating to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and capable of traveling 551 km without recharging.
For Born, Hankook iON evo tires have been homologated, initially created specifically for electric vehicles and refined in close collaboration with Cupra specialists to optimally match the dynamic characteristics of the electric hatchback. The tires are supplied in a 20-inch diameter size and are made using the iON Innovative Technology platform, which allows for simultaneous improvement of the four key tire parameters in this segment: wear resistance, traction, economy, and acoustic comfort.
The tires are distinguished, among other things, by increased transverse stiffness, which improves stability in turns, while the construction of the breaker belt, reinforced with aramid fibers, improves handling stability at high speeds, the optimized width of the longitudinal and transverse grooves accelerates water drainage, and the new rubber compound, developed specifically for EV tires, further enhances traction on wet roads, reducing the braking distance.
According to the manufacturer, the developers were also able to reduce the in-cabin noise level by 18% and significantly reduce rolling resistance, which can increase energy efficiency by 4%. In addition, the silica-based compound with eco-friendly materials in combination with the modified profile helped reduce uneven wear and increase tire life by 15%.
Last year, Hankook began supplying iON evo SUV tires for the electric crossover Cupra Tavascan, and the approval of tires for Born means that the company is developing its cooperation with the brand aimed at sports driving enthusiasts. In addition, the iON evo model has also received recognition from European experts, where it has been named the best tire for electric vehicles by the British portal WhatTyre for two years in a row, which allows comparing tire characteristics, and also won in a specialized test by Auto Bild and showed high results in tests conducted by TÜV SÜD.