The cooperation between Hankook and BMW M GmbH is yet another clear example of how our company is constantly challenging itself. This time, we wanted to meet the very high demands of the German car manufacturer, and as a result, the new BMW X3 M and X4 M models are now rolling off the production line on Hankook’s latest premium tire, the Ventus S1 evo Z.
The cooperation between Hankook and BMW M GmbH is yet another clear example of how our company is constantly challenging itself. This time, we wanted to meet the very high demands of the German car manufacturer, and as a result, the new BMW X3 M and X4 M models are now rolling off the production line on Hankook’s latest premium tire, the Ventus S1 evo Z.
For many who know at least a little about German precision, the very idea of complying with it is daunting. Not so with the development engineers at Hankook, for whom it was a challenge. Their newly chosen ‘victims’ were BMW’s cool and sporty X3 M and X4 M models, which promised their customers nothing less than an unbelievable balance of dynamism, comfort and efficiency measured in the apothecary’s balance. The new tires ‘just’ had to do the job, and our colleagues didn’t leave it to chance: instead of experimenting with existing ultra-high performance tires, they created an entirely new ultra-ultra-high performance tire class with the Ventus S1 evo Z, designed specifically for BMW sports cars.
To ensure success, the engineers have used all their experience, including a double use of the tried and tested aramid fiber for stability and vibration reduction. The Ventus S1 evo Z has a new pattern and a reinforced sidewall, but extra attention has also been paid to the outer and inner surfaces of the rubber. As the technology used in the production of the Hankook Ventus series played a major role in the birth of the new tire, the developers knew they had really hit the mark when they saw the result.
Indeed, the fresh, crisp tires did not cause disappointment: in the tradition of the BMW M-Series, the tires proved that the X3 M and X4 M competition tires, that they run on, really deliver the promised performance, even in extreme weather conditions, during long and thorough performance tests on the legendary Nordschleife track at the Nürnburgring.
With the Ventus S1 evo Z, the new exclusive sports cars not only offer a high level of grip and precise handling, but also an unrivalled sporty driving experience. And for the sake of completeness, let’s not forget the new BMWs: with 510 horsepower, they can run from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds –which is a very impressive performance, indeed.
The new tire model is currently available in 15 sizes, but this number will increase this year; and, development work is ongoing for the German carmaker’s other sporty models.