The new Audi RS Q8 will feature the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 in size 295/40ZR22 as original equipment. Audi customers also can run Hankook Winter i*cept evo 2 tires on the car.
"The tire design for a very sporty – and at the same time, majestic – vehicle like the Audi RS Q8 is particularly demanding." says Moonhwa Hong, vice president of OE development, Hankook.
"As with the other large models in the Q series, higher load capacities generally apply, which must be guaranteed at high speeds That is why the resilience of the tire construction was of particular importance. We have also paid special attention to the performance characteristics of our tires in both wet and dry conditions."
The Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV boasts "significantly increased sidewall strength compared to standard products thanks to bead packing - the use of a special nylon material in the sidewall area," say Hankook officials.
The tire's two-layer carcass and use of an aramid composite material together help reduce unwanted expansion of rolling circumference at high speeds by up to 60%, compared to previous profiles.
"The tires, therefore, have very high driving stability and steering precision, as well as increased durability due to lower overall heat development. The sporty and dynamic performance on both dry and wet roads is further enhanced by a new tread compound using high-performance natural resins. As a result, the Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV achieves a consistently high level of performance across a wide range of temperatures and conditions."
The Hankook Winter i*cept evo 2 features an asymmetric tread design and wide tread block patterns, among other features.
"Hankook has already built up a long tradition of original equipment at Audi," says Hyunjun Cho, the head of Hankook's OE division.
