Hankook equips all-electric CUPRA Tavascan with iON evo SUV summer tire

- Perfect match for maximum sportiness without any compromise on comfort
- Through its Opti Pitch Technology, Hankook Tire reduces noise at the highest level
- Sizes are available from 19 to 21 inches, including a sport design

Seoul, Korea, September 11, 2024 — Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) is supplying the premium iON evo SUV tire for the new CUPRA Tavascan. Specially developed for all-electric vehicles, this summer tire has been specifically matched to the handling characteristics of the dynamic SUV coupé for maximum sportiness without any compromise on comfort.

The Hankook premium tire, with the “+” marking for original equipment, is available for the CUPRA Tavascan as a mixed tire in the 19-inch variants and as an all-position tire in the 20- and 21-inch sizes. The 21-inch tire also comes in a special sport design, identifiable by the notation “e-Performance” on the sidewall. In keeping with its sporty tuning, it offers even more traction and shorter braking distances thanks to its high-grip mixture. Hankook also offers a 19-inch all-season tire, also designed specifically for electric vehicles, as original equipment for the model.

A key development goal for the iON evo SUV for the CUPRA Tavascan was to reduce rolling noise as much as possible. With a noise level of less than 66 decibels, the Hankook premium tire remains below the development target in order to not exceed the overall vehicle limit of 68 decibels. Hankook achieved the minimized tread noise among other things through its Opti Pitch Technology, which optimizes the number and size of tread blocks.

Working in close cooperation with CUPRA, Hankook has been able to match the iON evo SUV specifically to the sporty characteristics of the dynamic SUV coupé. Through a host of technical measures, the engineers have succeeded in reducing the rolling resistance and achieving particularly quiet rolling behavior as well as high resilience. Compared to conventional tires, this means more range per battery charge for EV drivers, even with a sporty driving style. Moreover, the new Hankook iON evo SUV is specifically designed for the all-wheel-drive CUPRA Tavascan’s immediate maximum torque delivery, which plays a significant role in its acceleration from a standing start.

The Hankook iON evo SUV handles the vehicle mass of the CUPRA Tavascan, which is caused by the large traction battery with a higher load capacity. Extremely durable aramid fibers counteract the deformation forces that result from the high torque, especially when driving off and accelerating. The tread mixture with a high natural resin content also ensures exemplary durability of the premium tire, and at the same time reduces abrasion compared to a conventional material mix.

The high silica content ensures more grip on wet roads at the micro level by counteracting the formation of a potentially dangerous film of water between the road surface and the tires, which is also important in view of the sporty handling of the CUPRA Tavascan. Another special feature of the mixture is the high content of plant-based oils. These make the iON evo SUV more sustainable overall, and also have a positive impact on the durability of the tread strip. This enables consistent performance with less use of materials. The tire also has a low weight, which again has a positive effect on rolling resistance.

Another important detail that signals the care taken during development is the especially aerodynamic design of the iON evo SUV, leveraging every potential for greater efficiency and range. The tire pattern is optimized for the least possible air resistance, right down to the lettering on the tire sidewalls.

As a further comfort and safety feature, the tires for the CUPRA Tavascan feature Hankook’s SEALGUARD® technology, which automatically seals punctures up to 5mm in diameter in the tread. With Hankook SEALGUARD®, it is possible to continue driving, even if a tire is punctured, instead of having to perform a potentially dangerous tire change on the side of the road.

“We are proud of having developed the perfect tire in close cooperation with CUPRA for the brand’s new all-electric top model,” says Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Center at Hankook. “Our clear objective was to transmit the high dynamic potential of the SUV coupé to the road and at the same time achieve the lowest possible rolling resistance for maximum range without having to compromise when it comes to comfort.”