Hankook Tire America Corp. has added a regional all-position tire and a long-haul drive position tire to its truck and bus radial (TBR) lineup. Both the AH32 and SmartWay-approved e3 Wide DL12 are wide-base tires.
AH32 is offered in sizes 385/65R22.5 18PR and 425/65R22.5 20PR; e3 Wide DL12 in 445/50R22.5 20PR DL12. More sizes will be available as the year progresses.
The AH32 and DL12 offer wider contact patches enabling a higher tread volume enhancing fuel efficiency, safety and performance for regional and long-haul applications.
“The new AH32 and Smartway-approved e3 Wide DL12 tires represent our latest approach to product development with our ‘Smart + Technology’ process,” said Rob Williams, vice president of TBR sales, Hankook Tire America. “We’re always researching new and innovative ways to improve our TBR products at all levels in order to provide our best performance across mileage, safety and durability for our customers. With this new approach, Hankook Tire is in a position to offer one of the best TBR product lines found in the U.S., making us very competitive nationally in the tire industry.”
Hankook says its new “Smart + Technology” manufacturing process works to improve key performance indicators across the TBR product suite with enhanced braking, multi-surface performance, rolling resistance, and safety.
Features and benefits specific to each tire follow.
AH32: Regional-haul tire with multi-purpose tread pattern and compounds
Optimized for regional-haul applications, the AH32 is an all-position, all-season tire developed with key design features for durability, retreadability and safety.
Hankook says it designed this new tire with its latest TBR technology, the Innovation Mixing System (IMS). IMS helps strengthen the bonding force between compound materials (carbon black and rubber). The result of this new process is not only a stronger and more durable compound, but one that assists with lower heat generation directly translating to longer mileage and fuel efficiency, according to Hankook.
Working to optimize the AH32’s performance for regional-haul applications is the multi-purpose performance tread pattern that combines two different zig-zag grooves designs protecting against uneven wear, chips, cuts and tearing. By implementing an asymmetrical groove channel near the shoulder profile, the tire naturally works out any embedded materials such as rocks or stones that can compromise performance and tire lifespan.
e3 Wide DL12: Long-haul tire with weight and energy efficiency
Hankook says the e3 Wide DL12 is engineered to provide excellent traction capabilities throughout the entire life of the tire utilizing its 3-dimensional siping technology as well as its semi open shoulder design. The tire is Smartway approved by delivering less rolling resistance in order to allow for increased mileage and better fuel efficiency.
Developed for long-haul applications, the e3 Wide DL12 is a specially formulated drive position tire with its own unique technologies and innovations. New Spiral-Coil Technology works to stabilize the tire’s footprint and casing, which correlates to better wear and performance. The combined structure of rib and block pattern work to provide better overall tire integrity compared to its predecessor.
Hankook says that one of the main advantages of having a single wide-base tire such as the DL12 compared to a dual configuration is the savings in weight and energy efficiency. With the e3 Wide DL12, tractor-trailers can save up to 400 pounds along with a reduction in rolling resistance of up to 33% when compared to duals.
For more information, visit Hankook’s website.
