Hankook Tire & Technology announced on Friday that its electric vehicle (EV)-dedicated performance tire, the iON evo and the ultra-high-performance Ventus evo, received the highest honor—an Exemplary rating—in tire tests conducted by the German automotive magazine Auto Bild.
The EV tire test included the iON evo and seven other global brands, including Michelin, Goodyear, and Continental. Tires in the 215/55 R18 size category were mounted on a Hyundai Kona EV and evaluated across 13 categories, including wet and dry braking, handling, rolling resistance, and noise levels.
The iON evo earned top marks across the board, including hydroplaning resistance, braking, handling, rolling resistance, and quietness, ultimately ranking first as the Test Winner. It received the highest scores in both wet and dry braking and handling performance.
The ultra-high-performance tire test involved 52 global brands in the 225/40 R18 size category, with the tires mounted on a BMW 1 Series. The Ventus evo recorded the shortest braking distance on wet surfaces and ranked first in dry surface handling. With strong performance across multiple test categories, it also received the highest Exemplary rating.
In its overall evaluation, Auto Bild described the iON evo as a product that combines excellent hydroplaning resistance and braking on wet roads with outstanding driving dynamics and quiet operation. The Ventus evo, it noted, stood out for its dynamic handling and exceptional braking performance in all driving conditions.