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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NEXEN TIRE has expanded its original equipment tyre supply for the Kia all-new Seltos into North America and Europe, following an earlier rollout for the Korean market in March with the N’PRIZ S and N’FERA AU7.

For North America, the company provides the N’PRIZ S in a 16-inch fitment for United States and Canada. This tyre is designed for electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles, emphasising mileage performance and ride comfort. In Europe, including Germany, France and the Netherlands, NEXEN TIRE supplies summer tyres across multiple sizes. The N’FERA Primus comes in 16- and 18-inch fitments, offering high-speed stability and wet braking, while the 19-inch N’FERA Sport delivers ultra-high-performance capability validated in European tyre tests.

This regional strategy highlights NEXEN TIRE’s ability to tailor OE solutions for a single vehicle model across different markets. The manufacturer continues to grow its global OE portfolio, covering mass-market SUVs to premium brands.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "This OE supply for the all-new Seltos goes beyond simply increasing volume – it demonstrates NEXEN TIRE's ability to deliver products tailored to the specific road conditions and consumer needs of each market. We will continue to strengthen partnerships with global automakers and expand our market-optimised OE supply going forward."

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has confirmed the supply of its ADVAN FLEVA V701 tyres as original equipment for Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s new compact electric vehicle. The Super-ONE, launched in Japan in May 2026 with a gradual rollout planned for United Kingdom and several Asian markets, uses the tyre in size 185/55R15 82V.

Engineered under the ADVAN brand’s philosophy of delivering driving enjoyment, the sporty high-performance tyre provides sharp handling across city streets, winding roads and highways. The EV is marketed under different names regionally, including Super-ONE in Japan and Asia & Oceania, Honda Super-ONE in select Asia & Oceania countries and Super-N in  UK.

Honda developed the Super-ONE to combine everyday usability and environmental performance with a unique fun-to-drive character. By engaging all driver senses through sporty handling only a small EV can offer, the model aims to deliver an exciting and uplifting driving experience.

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Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its ADVAN V61 and GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres as original equipment for the new Trailseeker battery electric sport utility vehicle developed by Subaru Corporation.

The vehicle, known as the E-Outback in Europe, was first unveiled in the United States in April 2025.

Tyres supplied for the Japanese and European markets are ADVAN V61 in size 235/60R18 103H, while North American models are fitted with GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres in size 235/50R20 100V.

The ADVAN V61 is a summer SUV tyre within Yokohama Rubber’s flagship ADVAN range. According to the company, it combines fuel and energy efficiency with handling stability and low noise levels.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV is a highway terrain tyre that meets the M+S (mud and snow) standard. Yokohama Rubber said the tyre was designed to deliver high-speed performance and drivability while balancing safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency.

Both tyre models supplied for the Trailseeker carry Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary “E+” mark on the sidewall, indicating technologies intended to address the requirements of electrified vehicles, including durability, quietness and energy efficiency.

Yokohama Rubber said the tyres were developed using HAICoLab, its artificial intelligence-based development framework designed to combine human input with data-driven analysis.

The Trailseeker is Subaru’s new battery electric SUV designed to combine BEV driving performance with utility for both daily and recreational use.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has been selected to supply two distinct tyre models as original equipment for Mazda Motor Corporation’s new crossover SUV, the MAZDA CX-5. The vehicle launched in North America in March 2026. Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres, in size 225/65R17 102H, are designated for the North American market, while the ADVAN V61 tyres are fitted on CX-5 units sold in Japan, Europe and other regions.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV is a next-generation highway terrain tyre that meets mud and snow standards, emphasising high-speed performance and drivability alongside safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Development relied on Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary HAICoLab, an artificial intelligence framework that merges human creativity with massive data processing to drive digital innovation and new discoveries.

The ADVAN V61, part of Yokohama’s flagship ADVAN range for premium SUVs, delivers high-level balance in fuel efficiency, handling stability and quietness. Suited for both city driving and long-distance touring in heavy SUVs, this tyre is already original equipment on many premium models. Yokohama began offering a broad range of replacement-market sizes for the ADVAN V61 in 2025.

As Mazda’s current best-selling model, the third-generation MAZDA CX-5 evolves the Soul of Motion design and Jinba-Ittai driving experience. Enhancements to interior space, usability, ride comfort and quietness support a comfortable drive across diverse conditions, reinforcing the vehicle’s emotional and tactile appeal.

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