Hankook Kinergy 4S2: a new all-season tyre for summer and winter

Hankook launches the new Hankook Kinergy 4S2 onto the market, an “all season” tyre that offers a balance of performance between a winter tyre and a summer one.

There are more and more options of all-season tyres (also known as “all season” or all-weather tyres) available on the market. Now, Hankook presents the fifth generation of the Kinergy 4S2, initially available in the most popular sizes for wheels from 14 to 17 inches, with widths from 175 to 255 and profiles from 45 to 65, in speed ratings T, H, V and W. The range will be expanded until the end of the year to reach 20 inches, with speed index Y.

All-season or all-weather tyres are an alternative for those who live in areas with very changeable weather conditions but do not need winter tyres.

For many drivers, all-season tyres are the ideal choice. They offer much of the advantages of winter tyres in cold climates and when driving frequently on wet asphalt or encountering occasional snow, and there is no need to replace them when the winter season ends. But beware, because an all-season tyre does not match the performance of winter tyres in snow or very low temperatures, and its performance is also somewhat lower than that of summer tyres in warm seasons. We can say they are a good middle option, suitable for those who constantly face changing weather conditions.

Grip and traction at any temperature

New tread design and new compounds. That is what the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 brings, featuring the 3PMSF certification, mandatory for winter tyres, a guarantee of mobility when the asphalt turns white, without the need for snow chains.

For the first time, Hankook uses a design with a directional tread pattern on an all-season tyre, with interlocking V-shaped blocks divided by grooves that expel water and melted snow. In addition, new formulation silica polymer compounds are included, which maintain elasticity and do not harden in low temperatures, a crucial factor for grip.

The zig-zag block design inside the tread, the 3D sipes in the central blocks and the stiffness are other features that allow the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 not only to offer optimal grip on snow, but also to ensure short braking distances in winter and on dry roads, and reduced wear when the tyre operates under high loads at high temperatures. In this regard, Hankook incorporates special wear indicators to help the tread maintain the required minimum depth.