News from the world of Hankook
Hankook and Laufenn have had a busy few months: independent tire tests have confirmed premium performance, a new sports tire is coming for track day enthusiasts, our factory in Rácalmás has taken an important step toward sustainability, and Laufenn has not only reached a new level but also entered into a new “partnership” in the European market. Our news roundup serves simply as a taste of the world of Hankook; as always, you can find more detailed coverage of each topic in our online magazine.
This spring’s test season proved exceptionally successful for Hankook: three independent performance tests confirmed the outstanding performance of our company’s premium products.
Ventus evo on top of the podium
In Auto Bild’s major summer tire test, Hankook Ventus evo came out on top in the popular 245/45 R19 size. The model already stood out from the field of 50 during the preliminary round: it produced the second-shortest braking distance on both wet and dry surfaces, and then delivered a convincing performance in every key category during the final round.
The testers particularly highlighted its exceptional braking performance, stable handling, the best lap time on the aquaplaning track, and its favorable price-performance ratio. According to Auto Bild’s assessment, the Ventus evo is “a tire designed for dynamic driving, with excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces.”
This success was repeated in Auto Bild’s all-wheel-drive SUV test. The 255/45 R19 Ventus evo proved itself this time among modern all-wheel-drive SUVs. It delivered high-level performance on wet roads and in off-road conditions: it ranked among the leaders in terms of grip, handling, and short braking distances.
“Very Good” Rating for Prime 4
Meanwhile, Hankook Ventus Prime 4 also performed exceptionally well in the long-standing, independent AvD summer tire test. The 215/55 R17 version of this premium comfort tire received a “Very Good” rating, impressing the experts particularly with its performance on wet roads. During the test, its harmonious handling, ride comfort, and sustainability profile were also highlighted.
In case of Ventus Prime 4, experts also noted that manufacturing in Hungary ensures shorter European shipping routes, which is advantageous from both a logistical and environmental perspective. On the EU label, the tire received an “A” rating for wet grip and noise, and a “B” rating for rolling resistance.
According to the jury’s overall assessment, Ventus Prime 4 is a “durable and cost-effective choice” thanks to its impressive features.
The excellent test results were also reflected in the overall manufacturer rankings: in Auto Bild’s latest rankings, Hankook took first place in the summer tire category.
A total of 67 summer and 61 all-season tires were put under the microscope during the ranking process, and all relevant test results from the 2025/26 season were compiled, making the final evaluation a particularly significant professional accolade. The Ventus evo’s two test victories clearly played a decisive role in Hankook securing first place.
A significant result was also achieved among all-season tires: the Kinergy product family secured podium finishes in four different tests, placing Hankook third overall among manufacturers.
The results clearly demonstrate that Hankook consistently delivers high performance across multiple segments, whether it’s wet braking, dry handling, or the winter performance of all-season tires.
Hankook has introduced a truly exciting new product: with the Ventus evo Z, the company is returning to the supersport tire segment.
This new development is intended for sports car owners, tuning enthusiasts, motorsport fans, and participants of amateur racing series who want to enjoy both road driving and the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of track days with a single tire. The Ventus evo Z is a sporty summer tire that combines the track-focused character of semi-slick tires with on-road usability.
Sporty, high-performance design, excellent handling characteristics
Its tread is slightly wider and its durability is better than that of a classic track tire, yet it offers a driving experience very similar to that of a track tire. The model fully complies with regulations for road use, including the minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters.
In developing Ventus evo Z, Hankook drew on its experience gained in international motorsports. One of the highlights of the test program was that the tire was also tested on the HWA EVO model, a modern reinterpretation of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II. The experience gained there was directly incorporated into the mass-produced product.
The technical solutions also reflect the sporty philosophy. The asymmetrical tread pattern, with grooves of various depths and widths, enhances stability, while the aramid-reinforced belt structure maintains the tire’s dimensional stability even under heavy loads. The special “Closed Cut Lateral Grooves” shoulder design increases the contact patch and block stiffness during cornering, resulting in even more precise handling.
Motorsport also provided inspiration for the development of the rubber compound: by using liquid resin and a heat-resistant resin mixture, we succeeded in creating a composition that ensures stable grip even at high performance levels.
For everyone who loves it
The Ventus evo Z’s size range covers a wide variety of high-performance cars, so enthusiasts of top-tier vehicles – including the Porsche 911, BMW M models, Audi RS series, and Mercedes-AMG models – will find a suitable size option.
The new tire will be gradually introduced to the market throughout the year in 18–21-inch sizes, with widths ranging from 225 to 355 millimeters and aspect ratios from 25 to 45. All of this clearly demonstrates that the Ventus evo Z is not simply a new product in the lineup, but a spectacular return for Hankook to a category where technological expertise, motorsport experience, and driving pleasure converge.
In addition to advancing tire manufacturing, Hankook places great emphasis on operating its factories in a more sustainable manner. A significant step in this direction is the ten-year agreement signed by the Rácalmás plant with GoldenPeaks Capital for the procurement of solar energy.
A milestone in the Hungarian company’s energy consumption
The essence of the agreement is that over the next ten years, the factory will use a significant amount of electricity from renewable sources for its operations. The contract covers a total of 430 GWh of solar energy, with World Kinect also contributing to securing this supply.
What does this mean in practice? The associated 30 MWp solar power system will generate enough energy to cover approximately 20 percent of our plant’s annual electricity consumption. To put this in everyday terms: this amount of energy is roughly equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 28,700 households.
One step closer to the 2050 goals
By using solar energy, approximately 10,107 tons of carbon dioxide emissions can be prevented each year, which is an important step toward sustainable, greener operations. For a factory that produces approximately 17 million passenger car, SUV, and light truck tires annually, every such improvement yields tangible results.
The company is working globally to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, meaning that its operations will not increase the overall greenhouse gas burden on the atmosphere. The current agreement is an important milestone on this path, and it also makes it clear that sustainability will become a defining factor in our day-to-day operations in the future.
According to our parent company’s plans, similar solutions will help facilitate the wider use of renewable energy sources at additional manufacturing facilities in the future.
This year marks a milestone for Laufenn. The Hankook brand has not only launched a completely new sporty summer tire, but has also announced one of the most significant factory partnerships in its history: the new S FIT 2 model has been added to the list of factory-fitted tires for ŠKODA Octavia.
Adapted to Europe
When developing the Laufenn S FIT2, engineers specifically took the European driving environment into account. Their goal was to create a tire that performs confidently across the continent’s diverse road and weather conditions.
The result is a sporty summer tire that offers stable handling, safety, and comfort all at once. The model is available in a total of 94 sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches, while the SUV version is available in sizes ranging from 16 to 20 inches.
Safety on Wet Roads
One of the primary goals of this development was to improve performance on wet roads. Thanks to the high-silica rubber compound and the specially designed tread pattern, nearly 90 percent of the S FIT2’s sizes have received the highest wet grip rating of “A” under the EU labeling system. In practice, this translates to a braking distance on wet asphalt that is up to 16 percent shorter than that of the previous generation.
The four wide longitudinal grooves more effectively channel water away from the contact patch, while wet road handling has also improved by about 10 percent. As a result, the car behaves more stably and predictably during high-speed cornering or sudden maneuvers.
Not only sporty, but also fuel-efficient and comfortable
When it comes to modern tires, performance, efficiency, and durability are just as important. That’s why it’s good news that the S FIT2’s new-generation polymer technology delivers 15 percent more mileage than its predecessor, which can mean a longer lifespan and lower operating costs for drivers.
The B – C rolling resistance rating also contributes to reduced fuel consumption. The optimized tread design also plays a role in reducing vibrations and rolling noise, making the driving experience more comfortable.
The development process also took into account the needs of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Laufenn tires recommended for these models will receive a separate EV designation in the future, which will also appear on the S FIT 2.
It is a particularly significant achievement for the new S FIT 2 that it was able to make its debut as an original equipment tire.
ŠKODA has selected Laufenn’s sporty summer tire for the new Octavia model in the popular 205/55 R17 91 V size. This is a significant achievement because Octavia is one of the Czech manufacturer’s best-selling models for years.
The developers’ goal was to create a tire with a character similar to that of the Octavia itself: versatile, reliable, offering balanced performance, and representing a high standard in all key areas. Short braking distances, stable handling, low noise levels, and low rolling resistance all contributed to ŠKODA’s decision to choose the S FIT 2.
The partnership also serves as a good example of Laufenn’s development. Ten years after its launch on the European market, the brand has reached the point where a leading European automaker has selected it as an original equipment tire – which could open up new opportunities for other similar collaborations in the future.