Hankook Tire & Technology (161390.KS) said on the 23rd that its winter performance tire, the Winter i*cept evo4, ranked first in a winter tire comparison test by Auto Bild, a leading German automotive magazine.
The test evaluated 10 winter tires for sport utility vehicles and crossovers in the 225/55 R18 size, fitted on a BMW X1. The designation refers to a tread section width of 225 millimeters, an aspect ratio of 55% and a fit for 18-inch wheels.
The Winter i*cept evo4 earned an overall score of 1.3 and a "Very Good" rating, beating nine products from major global brands.
It posted the best results in straight-line and cornering aquaplaning tests, scoring 1.2 for a "Very Good" rating. In dry-surface handling, it recorded the highest average driving speed while maintaining stable performance. Auto Bild also praised the tire for reliable performance on snow.
Hankook Tire said the result reflects its latest winter tire technology. The Winter i*cept evo4 uses a "balanced grip compound" that delivers strong traction on various road surfaces, improving braking performance on wet roads. Wider lateral grooves and sipes, or fine slits, set at varying angles provide 5% better grip and traction on snow than the previous model. The tire also expands the contact patch while maintaining even wear, raising mileage performance by 15% from the earlier model.
The Winter i*cept evo4 debuted in the European market in June this year and was released in South Korea in September. Hankook Tire plans to expand sales to major markets including North America in stages, accelerating its push into the global premium winter tire segment.