Hankook Expands in the Middle East with AI-Enhanced Ultra High Performance Sports Tires
- The 4th generation Ventus evo provides exceptional braking, cornering, fuel efficiency, and tire life
- Following its initial launch in Europe last November, the Ventus evo is now being introduced in North America, the Middle East, Korea, and Saudi Arabia
- The tire’s supply is expanding as original equipment for major premium car brands like Audi, BMW, and Volkswagen
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2025 — Hankook Tire & Technology (hereafter Hankook), a leading global tire company under Hankook & Company Group, has officially launched the ‘Ventus evo’ ultra-high performance tire in Saudi Arabia this April. This launch marks the latest addition to the company’s signature ‘Ventus’ series.
The ‘Ventus evo’ is the 4th generation of the tire, succeeding the ‘Ventus S1 evo 3,’ and features significantly improved braking and cornering performance, along with better fuel efficiency and increased mileage compared to its predecessor. Since its debut in Europe last November, the tire has been progressively rolled out to North America, Korea, and the Middle East, gaining recognition among local customers for its top-quality ultra-high performance tire technology.
The ‘Ventus evo’ is engineered with AI-driven compound optimization, using a cutting-edge formulation of tire materials to overcome typical performance compromises. This allows for a notable balance between high-performance driving and stability, making it ideal for sporty, dynamic driving.
To enhance wet-road handling, Hankook has used advanced drainage design technology in the tire grooves, which improves both braking and stability in wet conditions. Most replacement specifications of the tire have received Grade 1 ratings for wet braking performance under Korea’s Energy Efficiency Labeling & Standard Program.
The tire also incorporates a Chamfer design that evenly distributes road contact pressure and increases road friction, improving dry road braking performance by up to 6% compared to the previous model. An optimized profile further enhances cornering stiffness, enabling more stable high-speed driving.
Furthermore, the Ventus evo demonstrates its excellence by maintaining tread balance and block rigidity through an optimized tire pattern design. By evenly distributing road contact pressure during driving, it increases mileage (tire life) by up to 32% compared to its predecessor.
Jongwoo Kim, Head of the Middle East & Africa Division at Hankook Tire, said: “The Ventus evo is demonstrating its technological excellence by being supplied to premium OE partners in Saudi Arabia, including BMW and Audi. Its innovative technology delivers powerful, long-lasting sports driving performance, further enhancing the dynamic driving experiences of our customers.”
Since establishing its sales subsidiary in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 1987, Hankook has consistently strengthened the premium positioning of its global unified brand, Hankook, across the Middle East and North Africa. This year, the company aims to further solidify its leadership position in the region by introducing top-tier products, including the Ventus evo, that represent the highest standards in the industry.
Photo –