Hankook OE on new BMW 4-Series

Hankook Tire has been selected as Original Equipment supplier for the new BMW 4-Series. The new, stylish and sporty Coupé by the Munich-based premium car manufacturer will be factory equipped with Hankook’s high-end Ventus S1 evo² flagship tyres in size 225/50 R 17 W.

The recently launched 4-Series Coupé is the sixth model by the BMW Group to be fitted with Hankook tyres, following on from the MINI, the BMW 1-, 3-, and 5-Series as well as the X5. This marks another important milestone in Hankook’s global expansion in the premium segment. “We are pleased to continuously intensify our cooperation with the BMW Group”, says Ho-Youl Pae, member of the Board and COO at Hankook Tire Europe. “Supplying tyres to the new 4-Series Coupé marks yet another, important milestone for us as it is the first time we are supplying tyres to the BMW Group that not only have been developed in Europe but also are supplied directly from our European factory.”

Hankook’s high-end flagship Ventus S1 evo² was no stranger to the car manufacturer. It has already convinced the critical BMW engineers as original equipment tyre for the recent BMW 3- and 5-series. Even under demanding conditions the tyre stands out for its successful combination of driving dynamics and comfort features as well as wet grip and rolling resistance performance. “During the intensive trial phase our Ventus S1 evo² has once more given impressive proof of its high level of driving comfort and distinctively dynamic driving characteristics,” says Klaus Krause, Head of the European Technology Centre (ETC) at Hankook Tire, where the tyre development for the BMW Group in Europe takes place. “With the new Ventus S1 evo² we have consistently applied our development philosophy Kontrol Technology* and developed a modern high-performance tyre that optimally meets our customers’ requirements in terms of driving dynamics, safety and environmental friendliness.”

At present, about 50 engineers and technicians are developing bespoke tyre solutions for European car manufacturers at Hankook’s European Technical Center in Hanover, Germany. Also tyres supplied to the BMW Group are developed and tested there. Production takes place at Hankook’s European plant in Racalmas, Hungary. The company’s state-of-the-art factory specialises in the production of passenger car tyres for the European market and ranks among the most modern production facilities in the world.