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March 22nd, 2016 (Seoul, Korea) - Hankook Tyre has been selected as one of the original equipment (OE) suppliers for the all new BMW 7 Series.

The brand new luxury limousine by the Munich-based premium car manufacturer will feature on Hankook Tyre amongst others when rolled off the factory production line. Hankook Tyre’s high-end premium flagship tyre Ventus S1 evo2 shall be fitted in special runflat sizes 245/50R18Y*RSC (Runflat Safety Component) alongside mixed sizes 245/45R19Y*RSC for the front and 275/40R19Y*RSC for the rear axle providing ultra-high performing summer mobility. The tyre company’s ultra-high performance cold weather pattern Winter i*cept evo will be supplied in size 245/50R18H*RSC on each corner ensuring superior winter performance is achieved.

The 7 Series Sedan is the seventh model by the BMW Group joins others to be fitted with Hankook Tyre including the MINI, the BMW 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Series as well as the X1 and X5. This marks another important milestone in Hankook Tyre’s global expansion in to the premium automotive segment as it is the first time the tyre company is supplying both summer and winter tyres to the BMW Group as original fitment.

“We are proud to announce the new OE supply contract for the new 7 Series as well as the first premium OE approval for winter tyres”, says Seung Hwa Suh, Vice Chairman & CEO of Hankook Tyre. “As Hankook Tyre’s OE products completely match the high-end standards of luxury limousine of our longstanding partner, we will look forward to further expanding our global presence in premium segment by providing an array of automaker’s flagship models.”


Hankook Tyre’s ultra-high performance snow tyre Winter i*cept evo in size 245/50R*RSC has been designed to provide superior performance especially in severe winter conditions by optimising wet, dry and snow performance. The tyre’s inside-to-outside asymmetric groove tread delivers a high level of stylish perfection with an enhanced pitch design that guarantees the optimal driving experience which was recently also awarded with the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Award.

As the company’s flagship performance tyre, Hankook Tyre’s high-end Ventus S1 evo2 provides the optimal driving performance both on the wet and dry roads. Equipped with sophisticated DTM technology, it stands out for its successful combination of performance, durability, comfort and energy efficiency, delivering a stable and accurate cornering best fit for the performance vehicles. The tyre’s inside-to-outside groove design provides an increased water drainage performance while dispersing friction heat. Besides, it guarantees a comfortable driving experience with reduced noise and vibration.

During the intensive trial phase the tyres have proven to provide a high level of driving comfort whilst maintaining distinctively dynamic driving characteristics. The tyres had to meet the highest of demands in relation to dry handling performance, rolling resistance whilst providing low interior and exterior noise. “Excellent driving and comfort features had to be combined with equally demanding wet and snow performance. This not only required the development of a special tread compound but also finding a fundamentally new balance between compound, tread design and construction”, explains Klaus Krause, Head of the Hanover-based European Technology Centre (ETC) at Hankook Tyre, where the tyre development for the BMW Group in Europe takes place. “Winter tyre development is even more demanding, particularly for the high development objectives of reduced noise as winter tyres by nature have more block edges which generally lead to increased noise levels.”