Hankook Tire developed Ultra Ultra High Performance (UUHP) Ventus S1 evo Z tire’s layout exclusively for the high-performance coupé.
The extra-wide tread and modified pattern provide maximum grip for better performance.
Tested on the Nürburgring North loop, Ventus S1 evo Z and the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé reached a top speed of 190 mph.
Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) is equipping the new Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé with the UUHP (Ultra Ultra High Performance) tire Ventus S1 evo Z. In keeping with the highly dynamic handling characteristics of the all-wheel-drive sports car developing up to 430 kW/585 hp, the tire has a bespoke sports pattern and a modified tread mixture, guaranteeing maximum grip even in extreme driving situations. The OEM approval, including the “MO1” label on the tire’s sidewall, marks the first partnership between Mercedes-AMG and Hankook.
“We are proud to be an OEM for the new Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé – a high-performance model with particularly sporty handling. We see this as a confirmation that our products meet the highest requirements,” says Sanghoon Lee, President & COO of Hankook Tire Europe. “With its outstanding handling and technology carried over from motorsport, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z is the perfect partner for the flagship model in the Mercedes-AMG range.”
Enhanced Technology for Superior Performance
Hankook Tire made specific modifications to improve tire and compliment vehicle performance. One new feature of the Ventus S1 evo Z on the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé is the extra-wide tread. Together with a specifically modified tire pattern, this delivers first-class stability. In addition, the developers have equipped the Ventus S1 evo Z for use in the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé with a reinforced aramid hybrid cap ply, which further improves performance, especially on dry surfaces. The aramid material prevents unwanted tire expansion due to the centrifugal forces at high speed – an essential feature for a vehicle with a top speed of over 196 mph and a speed index of (Y). Moreover, it minimizes tread deformation caused by lateral forces when changing direction, promoting neutral handling for better control at all times.
The tread mixture is also new, with more silica for better grip and rigidity in various weather conditions. The modified material mixture means the tread now interlocks even more effectively with the road surface for maximum braking performance. As a bonus, the new mixture can also withstand high temperatures caused by extreme use, keeping the performance level of the tires constant for longer. The features of the Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z combine to further push the limits of the UUHP tire designed for the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé. The tire carries the label “MO1” (Mercedes-AMG Original) on the sidewall. These are the only tires approved as original equipment for a Mercedes-AMG vehicle, and strict criteria are imposed by the manufacturer in this respect.
Fast Turnaround
Along with the extreme performance requirements, the short development time also posed a challenge for the Hankook team. Instead of the usual two years, the developers had just eight months, which also included intensive dry handling tests on the 12.665-mile Nürburgring North loop, one of the most demanding racecourses in the world with numerous corners and almost 1,000 feet of elevation change. One lap under race conditions is equivalent here to around 1,243 miles of everyday driving. The Ventus S1 evo Z and the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé reached a top speed of 190 mph and an average speed of around 93 mph on the famous “Green Hell”. The Hankook development engineers were in close contact with the Mercedes-AMG test drivers throughout. “If you can hit your performance and speed targets on the North loop, you can have full confidence in the capability of your tires. The partnership with Mercedes-AMG will only further increase the reputation of the Hankook name in the supersport segment,” says Klaus Krause, Head of the Hankook Europe Technical Center (ETC).
Hankook produces the tires supplied in the sizes 295/35 ZR20 (105Y) XL for the front, and 305/35 ZR20 (107Y) XL for the rear at its plant in Rácalmás, Hungary.
