Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook introduces the iON FlexClimate, its inaugural all-season tyre for the European market for electric passenger cars and SUVs. 

Launching in Europe in October 2023, the iON FlexClimate will initially be available in eight popular sizes for passenger cars and SUVs in the EV segment, with plans for further expansion to include standard sizes ranging from 17 to 21 inches soon.

This innovative addition complements Hankook’s existing range, including the iON evo for summer and the iON icept for winter, creating a comprehensive tyre family designed to cater to current and forthcoming generations of electric vehicles. These Hankook iON offerings, when appropriately sized, can also enhance conventional and hybrid vehicles, showcasing advantages in energy efficiency, noise reduction, sustainability, and longevity.

The iON FlexClimate employs cutting-edge technology to deliver high performance in summer and moderate winter driving conditions. Notable features include exceptional wet surface grip, a substantial reduction in rolling resistance compared to standard tyres, and a robust yet lightweight construction tailored to the specific demands of electric vehicles.

A significant technical highlight of the iON FlexClimate lies in its specialised 3D sipes embedded in the tread. These enhance the tyre’s grip on wet and dry surfaces, even on light snow. The ProGrip tread compound, utilising high-density silica and sustainable materials, optimises adhesion on wet surfaces. To excel in snowy conditions, the tread design incorporates a high sipe density and “2-in-1” sipes and additional grooves within the individual tread blocks to ensure superior traction and braking performance. The iON FlexClimate carries the M+S and 3PMSF (Three-Peak-Mountain-Snow-Flake) labels, attesting to its suitability for year-round use across many European countries.

Addressing the weight dynamics inherent to electric vehicles, Hankook fortifies the iON FlexClimate with a reinforced belt featuring incredibly durable aramid fibres. This design distributes load evenly across the tread’s width, enabling a higher load index per tyre. This effectively counters deformation forces at higher speeds, ensuring precise steering and cornering stability while reducing tread wear. Additionally, the new Grip Boost technology, combined with the aramid belt, boosts the tyre’s sidewall rigidity by 20 percent compared to standard all-season tyres, enhancing driving comfort and vehicle control.

The iON FlexClimate’s specially formulated tread mixture, rich in natural resin, delivers impressive durability and reduced abrasion compared to conventional counterparts. Its high adhesion capabilities facilitate the secure transfer of the high drive torques of electric vehicles to the road. The increased use of natural oils not only heightens sustainability but also extends the lifespan of the tread. As a result, the Hankook iON FlexClimate requires less material for the same mileage, resulting in an overall lighter tyre. This translates to lower energy consumption while driving and reduced energy usage during production.

Incorporating modern mixing techniques and Hankook’s Opti-Cure technology, the tread design of the iON FlexClimate minimises unnecessary tread movements, further lowering energy loss and rolling resistance. The Hankook iON FlexClimate contributes to an extended range per battery charge.

Given the absence of a combustion engine, electric vehicles place greater emphasis on minimising sources of noise. To address this, the iON tyre family incorporates Hankook i Sound Absorber technology and is designed for exceptional aerodynamics, resulting in markedly lower noise levels than standard tyres.

Hankook introduces a new iON technology system, enhancing efficiency in research and development, particularly for the company’s EV tyres. This comprehensive system encompasses four key technologies: i Sound Absorber (noise reduction), i Super Mileage (wear resistance), i Perfect Grip (adhesion), and i Extreme Lightness (rolling resistance). Based on approximately 58 patented technologies, including noise reduction and ProDurable compound technology, this system underpins the development of the iON tyre family.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated supply of its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres for Toyota Motor Corporation’s bZ, the 2026 model year North American version of Toyota’s bZ4X battery electric SUV, which launched in October 2025. The specified tyre size for this application is 235/50R20 100V. Concurrently, for the updated bZ4X model in Japan, the company remains the supplier, providing its ADVAN V61 tyre in size 235/60R18 103H as it did for the prior version.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV is engineered as a modern highway terrain tyre with M+S certification, prioritising responsive drivability and high-speed capability. Its design seeks an integrated balance of safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Tailored for electrified vehicles, these tyres bear Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, signifying enhanced attributes in durability, quietness and energy conservation. This development was facilitated by the company’s HAICoLab framework, an AI-driven platform that combines human creativity with advanced data processing to accelerate digital innovation.

This selection by Toyota extends a growing partnership, as the GEOLANDAR X-CV has recently been fitted as original equipment on several other Toyota models, including the Land Cruiser 250, Grand Highlander and Tundra. This alignment supports Yokohama Rubber’s strategic goals under its medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026. A central pillar of this plan is elevating the sales proportion of high-value-added tyres by aggressively promoting original equipment fitments for its premier ADVAN and GEOLANDAR brands globally, particularly for SUVs and pickup trucks.

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The new Volkswagen Tiguan will be outfitted with advanced Falken all-season and winter tyres. These models include the Falken EUROALL SEASON AS220 in size 215/65R17, as well as the EUROALL SEASON AS220 PRO and the winter-specific EUROWINTER HS02 PRO, both in size 235/55R18. Designed to meet rigorous dynamic standards, tyres bearing the ‘PRO’ designation are engineered for performance, with approval for speeds reaching 270 kmph. The winter PRO variant is offered in 87 configurations, while the all-season PRO version comes in 45 different sizes, accommodating a wide range of rim diameters and series profiles.

A key innovation across these tyres is the application of 4D NANO Design technology. This contributes to enhanced safety through better wet grip, improved fuel economy and increased tread longevity. Furthermore, an aerodynamically optimised sidewall with a nano-black finish provides a contemporary aesthetic.

The specific tread designs are tailored to performance categories. The standard EUROALL SEASON AS220 utilises a directional, symmetrical pattern suited for high-performance use. Its PRO counterpart features an optimised asymmetrical pattern, targeting balanced, ultra-high-performance capability in diverse conditions. This focus on versatile all-weather tyres reflects growing consumer demand, as they merge the benefits of summer and winter compounds. They deliver consistent traction on dry pavement, in rain and in light wintry conditions, presenting a practical solution for urban drivers or those in areas with moderate winters.

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its BluEarth-Es ES32 tyres as original equipment to Suzuki Motor Corporation for the Wagon R mini-vehicle, following the model’s launch in Japan in December 2025 after a minor update.

The Wagon R is fitted with 165/55R15 75V tyres.

BluEarth-Es ES32 is a standard tyre under the BluEarth YOKOHAMA global tyre brand, developed around the concept of being “environmentally, human, and socially friendly”. The tyre combines fuel efficiency with extended service life by reducing uneven wear. For the Wagon R, Yokohama Rubber said the tyres use tread patterns and compounds designed to deliver both lower rolling resistance and improved wear resistance.

Suzuki’s updated Wagon R incorporates additional safety features, including the Dual Sensor Brake Support II collision-mitigation braking system. The vehicle is also designed to offer a quiet and comfortable ride, stable steering and a refined exterior.

Yokohama Rubber said it continues to develop tyres using its BluEarth technology, with a growing number of these products being factory-fitted on petrol-powered vehicles, hybrid models and electric vehicles across a range of segments.

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its ADVAN Sport ZPS tyres as original equipment to Toyota Motor Corporation for the new GR Yaris, following the model’s launch in the Middle East in December 2025.

The tyre supplied is sized 225/40RF18 88Y.

ADVAN Sport ZPS is derived from the ADVAN Sport, the high-performance tyre in Yokohama Rubber’s global flagship ADVAN brand. It is a run-flat tyre with reinforced sidewalls designed to support the vehicle even in a zero-pressure condition, such as after a puncture. The company said the tyre balances ultra-high-speed handling with wet performance, quietness and comfort.

Yokohama Rubber tyres are already fitted to several models in Toyota’s GR sports car range. In recent years, the company has supplied ADVAN APEX V601 tyres for the GR Corolla and ADVAN FLEVA V701 tyres for the Corolla Cross GR Sport.

The supply forms part of Yokohama Rubber’s three-year medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026, covering 2024 to 2026. Under the plan, the consumer tyre business is seeking to increase the proportion of high value-added products, with a focus on expanding original equipment supply of ADVAN tyres and GEOLANDAR tyres for SUVs and pick-up trucks.

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