Several of Hankook Tire Co.’s concept tires were honored at the 2015 Red Dot Design Awards and the 2015 IDEA (International Design Excellence Awards). Winning tire designs were produced in collaboration with Pforzheim University’s schools of Design, Engineering and Business, the tiremaker said.
“We are immensely proud to be recognized by the world’s top three design awards including Red Dot and IDEA for two straight years,” said Seung Hwa Suh, vice chairman and CEO of Hankook Tire. “Hankook Tire will continue to improve its top-of-the-line technology and design by investing in R&D. We believe that the advances we make will further enhance our competitiveness as a leading tire company”
Hankook’s Boostrac concept tire was awarded “Best of the Best” at the 2015 Red Dot Awards. Additionally, the Boostrac, Alpike and hyBlade concept tires received awards at the 2015 IDEA.
Boostrac features a variable tread block structure that can expand when required to improve traction and is especially useful on steep inclines through rough desert-like conditions, Hankook said. Alpike is designed with tire circumference expansion capabilities, raising its ground clearance for areas affected by heavy snow. The hyBlade features waterwheel treads and side spikes to enhance the tire’s steering force in heavy rain conditions, the tiremaker noted.
