HANKOOK K127 Ventus S1 evo3 is a summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern. The model is the flagship model in the production program of the South Korean company Hankook, belongs to the UHP (Ultra High Performance) class, and is a logical continuation of the success story of the Ventus tire line. One of the key tasks in the development of this tire model was to achieve the highest safety. Much attention has also been paid to further improvements in performance such as wet grip, directional stability, and steering precision.
Graduate Engineer Klaus Krause, Head of the European Technical Center for Hankook in Hannover, Germany, stated: “With the development of the Ventus S1 evo3, our engineers set themselves the goal of improving it in all respects over the previous S1 evo3, which is the most successful Hankook product on the market. The result of their work is a UHP tire with improved performance and handling characteristics that allow you to truly experience the driving experience we call Driving Emotion. In addition, Klaus Krause continued, “ the Ventus S1 evo3 has been designed to meet the future requirements of the European Real Driving Emissions test procedure to reduce emissions. "
In 2019, the HANKOOK Ventus S1 evo3 won the top position and outstanding rating in its first independent test by the leading German automotive magazine Auto Bild, which tested 53 Ultra-High-Performance summer tires 225/45 R17 for the BMW 1 Series for all performance criteria, including mileage. In tests, the HANKOOK Ventus S1 evo3 outperformed all other tested tires in wet braking, which is considered one of the most important evaluation criteria from a safety point of view. In addition, Auto Bild testers emphasized the precise handling and good response of the tires on dry roads.
“Our tires have already established themselves as the first-class OE among leading car manufacturers, including the high-performance sports car segment,” explains Han-Jun Kim, President of Hankook Tire Europe. “With our new flagship, we deliberately continue down this path, and I am delighted that a large number of innovative technologies that we have applied in series production for our flagship tire have demonstrated their performance potential in one of the world's most prestigious independent tests. I am confident that the Ventus S1 evo3 summer tire will have incredible success with our customers since its launch. ”
Excellent performance and a high level of safety
Through continuous research, a new generation of innovative materials has been used in the Ventus S1 evo3. Rubber specialists Hankook have optimized the traction characteristics of the Ventus S1 evo3 on wet and dry surfaces, in particular by adding high-quality natural rubber to the tread compound. This not only improves grip at maximum power but also achieves consistently high grip over a wider temperature range, giving this tire an exceptionally wide limit range.
A silicon-based tread compound with a high traction coefficient and a special mixing technology provides improved distribution of polymers and fillers, which leads to a significant increase in braking performance on wet roads, as well as a decrease in rolling resistance. The latter is also aided by a new sidewall mixture, which has reduced the rolling resistance of the summer Ventus S1 evo3 by a further 2.5% compared to the previous generation.
A new additional belt layer made from aramid fiber composite material at speeds above 186mi/h reduces unwanted treadmill deformation by 60 percent compared to conventional nylon materials and provides the Ventus S1 evo3 with increased stability and (due to less heat build-up) increased durability.
Belt material allows for 5 % increased lateral grip. Hyper Slants on the center ribs of the tread further enhance this effect by increasing the tire's actual contact area under high loads, such as sudden changes of lanes. The blocks of the extra-stiff and wide outer rib of the asymmetrical tread pattern are additionally reinforced with connecting straps for precise and stable cornering.
The deep outer groove inside the special tread blocks visually resembles the expressive pattern of the first model of HANKOOK Ventus S1 Evo tires with a characteristic wavy groove in the outer part of the tread. Technically, this Interlocking Groove, combined with an optimized 4-groove tread pattern, significantly reduces aquaplaning and increases wet grip without compromising dry traction.
System of visual control indicators HANKOOK K127 Ventus S1 evo3
The visual control indicator system provides perfect observation of tire wear. By comparing the depth of the indicators located in the shoulder areas of the tire, the driver can easily determine the degree and unevenness of tire wear.
Thus, the readings of the indicators on the difference in the tread wear of the outer and inner shoulder zones help the driver to determine the uneven wear of the HANKOOK K127 Ventus S1 evo3 tire, diagnose and eliminate the car suspension malfunction in a timely manner ( adjust the wheel alignment).
Features of the tread pattern of the HANKOOK K127 Ventus S1 evo3:
Longitudinal grooves
The Ventus S1 Evo 3 has external grooves that provide grip on wet surfaces and prevent aquaplaning. This improves the performance of the tire on wet roads and when cornering in rainy weather, without compromising on dry performance.
High rigidity outer shoulder
The outer shoulder of the tire, which accounts for the main force and pressure in the corner, is oversized. Maximum grip when turning the wheel is provided by a reinforced aramid hybrid fiber belt that ensures a stable, flat contact patch in all conditions. Handling on dry surfaces improved by 15%.
Indoor units
Provides increased stability when aquaplaning or braking on a wet surface due to the increased number of indoor units, thereby ensuring efficient water drainage.
Outdoor blocks
The number of outdoor units has been optimized to provide reliable handling when cornering on dry surfaces. Their design also contributes to noise reduction.