The summer tire HANKOOK RA18 Vantra LT is specially designed for light commercial vehicles. The model was launched in 2012.
The main buyers of the HANKOOK RA18 are the owners of minibusses, light trucks, and vans, which receive a tire that is characterized by high carrying capacity, long service life, and excellent grip, especially on wet roads. The model was developed taking into account the high requirements for fuel economy and durability of tires installed on utility vehicles used for regional transportation, as well as the key characteristics of road safety - minimum braking distances and high handling on wet surfaces.
The traditional LCV driving mode in the urban cycle (frequent stops and starts) places special demands on the tires - it must not only be strong and durable but also provide maximum mileage and fuel economy. Safety also plays a key role. The innovative design features of the Hankook Vantra LT: increased bead strength and technology-optimized tread design improve safety and high-speed handling while reducing wear and improving fuel economy by 13% over the previous model. Three wide center tracks and a large side tread pattern allow water to drain quickly, reducing the chance of aquaplaning and guaranteeing superior wet and icy handling.
The developers of the HANKOOK RA18 Vantra LT have managed to achieve an almost rectangular contact patch. This optimized the tread pattern for uniform traction (in the center of the patch and at the periphery), which increased the reliability of the tire's grip on the road. The Vantra LT also features an innovative dual steel belt reinforced belt that reduces deformation and distributes the load more evenly to the tread, resulting in 12% less wear. By reducing tire deformation, rolling resistance has also been reduced, fuel efficiency and thus improved operating efficiency - a key characteristic of LCVs for the urban cycle has been improved. In addition, specially reinforced tire beads provide effective protection against frequent curb damage.
The innovative tire design not only guarantees effective braking on wet surfaces and effectively prevents aquaplaning, but also minimizes energy loss when driving. The Vantra LT's optimized block of stiffness, without compromising tire durability, further improves its handling on wet or dry surfaces and even in cold weather. Also, the smoothness of the tire has significantly increased, and due to this, the handling and comfort while driving.
“High quality and technological leadership in all product categories are Hankook's priorities.
Vantra LT tires are addressed to those of our customers who are looking for the safety and consistent performance of a tire over a long service life to save money while protecting the environment, ”said Jin-Wook Choi, President of Hankook Tire and CEO of Europe.
Features of the tread pattern of the HANKOOK RA18 Vantra LT:
Fortunately, South Korean tire manufacturers chose not to “reinvent the wheel” and turned to solutions that have already proven themselves from the best side. This model is equipped with one of the classic varieties of the symmetrical non-directional pattern, consisting of two central longitudinal ribs and a pair of shoulder areas. The center of the tread of the Hankook RA18 provides a reliable grip when driving in a straight line, and the shoulder areas provide stability when maneuvering.
Features of the design of the HANKOOK RA18 Vantra LT:
Since the tire was originally intended for commercial use, special attention was paid to ensuring a long service life during its development. For this, many technical solutions were applied, affecting to one degree or another the structure of the frame, the composition of the rubber compound, and, of course, the tread pattern. It was equipped with reinforced shoulder areas, which made it possible not only to increase the stability of the tire in corners but also to endow it with several important qualities. Due to the high rigidity and massive dimensions of this part of the tread, it was possible to distribute the external pressure much more evenly over the contact patch. As a result, the tire has become much easier to carry a large weight of the transported load, as well as better to resist uneven wear, which seriously shortens its life.
OE tires for commercial vehicles
Expert Reviews:
- high load capacity and excellent resistance to uneven wear, thanks to the reinforced structure of the frame and shoulder areas, which ensured optimal distribution of external pressure over the contact patch;
- low rolling resistance is ensured by a reduced number of tread elements;
- excellent grip on wet roads, thanks to the high-performance drainage system.