Hankook Tire Named as Original Equipment on Audi RS 6 Avant & Audi RS 7 Sportback Models

Nashville, TN (November 3, 2020) – Premium tire maker Hankook Tire announced new OE fitments with Audi on the RS 6 Avant and Audi RS 7 Sportback with its UHP tires. With engine output ratings of 600 HP / ft lbs. TQ, the two new Audi performance models achieve 0-60 MPH in as little as 3.6 seconds. To further enhance the high-performance sports car, the Ventus S1 evo 3  tires fulfill the industry-standard release tests for RS tires as well as withstood ten laps of the Nürburgring's legendary Nordschleife at maximum possible speed. These tests ensure that the tire construction is robust, but there is also no compromise on comfort or performance.

To achieve this balancing act between incredible driving performance and suitability for everyday use, Hankook supplies top of the line tires in this particularly demanding vehicle segment. Both new Audi RS models will be fitted with Hankook's Ventus S1 evo 3 in 275/35 ZR21 (103Y) XL AO or optionally 285/30 ZR22 (101Y) XL AO tires. To ensure safe driving in the cold season, Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback can also be equipped with the Winter i*cept evo 2, in 245/40 R21 100V XL AO or 285/30 R22 101W XL AO.

"Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback combine impressive driving performance with suitability for everyday use," says Hyunjun Cho, Head of Hankook OE Division. "The same can be said about our premium tires. As a long-standing partner, we already equip many high-performance Audi models and are very proud that our products once again impress Audi Sport GmbH."

The Ventus S1 evo 3 is equipped with a high-strength bead core which, in combination with the reinforced sidewall, ensures not only sporty and dynamic handling but also driving control, straight-line stability and steering precision, especially at high speeds. In addition, the double-layer carcass and the use of a special aramid composite material reduce the undesired expansion of the rolling circumference at speeds above 300 km/h by up to 60 percent compared to previously used fabrics. The new tread compound, which uses high-performance natural resins, ensures the necessary grip with excellent traction and braking performance on both dry and wet roads. Reducing a higher level of interior noise, typical of low-profile sports tires at certain speed, was a central aspect during the development work, which aimed to provide a powerful yet comfortable driving experience.

The award-winning Hankook Winter i*cept evo 2 with asymmetric tread is used as an optional winter tire for both Audi RS models. The outer side of the tread with its wide block tread pattern ensures improved handling characteristics and precise directional control especially in dry conditions, while the inner side of the tread with an increased number of tread block edges and sipes ensures excellent braking and traction performance on snow, slush and wet roads.