If Hankook Tire has its way, van drivers will not be excluded from a future that includes more environmentally friendly tires. The Korean manufacturer has shown off its vision for a more fuel-efficient and lower rolling resistance van tire at the IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hannover, Germany.
Hankook calls this prototype tire Concept Blue, and says it anticipates future trends starting at the tire dimension 195/45 R 20. The tire’s diameter of 700 mm is relatively large by comparison to its width, proportions that Hankook says yield a characteristically narrow yet high-profile silhouette that “fits perfectly with the overall image of electric and hybrid vehicles.”
From a technical standpoint, the combination of a low air drag coefficient and low rolling resistance means that less energy is used. Hankook also points to the sidewall and shoulder area’s aerodynamic properties as two other design highlights.
Due to its large diameter, the tire’s contact area is of similar dimensions as a wide-base tire, however the contact area itself is longitudinally oriented rather than laterally, as it is on a wide-base tire. When combined with an especially high-grip tread compound, Hankook says this feature means that even with lower energy consumption, tire performance does not suffer. Block design within the tread pattern was inspired by bamboo leaves, says Hankook, and the tiremaker states the pattern “wins users over with a flow-optimised negative tread component developed based on nature.”
Another noticeable aesthetic feature is the light blue color used for the base rubber. This is, Hankook reports, not intended to reflect the color of water, but instead is symbolic of the “blue skies that will last into the future thanks to lower harmful emissions.” (Tyres & Accessories)
