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Hankook & Company Group’s global tire arm, Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Hankook Tire), said on March 16 that it will supply its EV performance tire, the iON evo SUV, as original equipment for BMW’s all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), the New iX3.
The new iX3 is the first production model on BMW’s next-generation electrification architecture, Neue Klasse. It uses sixth-generation eDrive systems to balance efficiency and performance, and features “Panoramic Vision,” which spreads instrument and infotainment displays low across the windshield. The model is being positioned as a landmark in BMW’s electrification program.
Hankook said it developed a bespoke tire for the new iX3 through close technical collaboration with BMW. The iON evo SUV applies the company’s EV-focused design suite, iON Innovative Technology, led by Hankook & Company Group Chairman Cho Hyun-bum. The tire is engineered to balance four core performance attributes — low noise, improved mileage, strong grip and low rolling resistance — to maximize overall performance.
The iON evo SUV raises cornering stiffness by about 10% through optimized EV-specific shaping and employs a super-fiber aramid hybrid reinforcement belt to deliver improved high-speed stability. Precisely tuned transverse and longitudinal groove widths enhance water evacuation, and an EV-specific compound boosts wet braking performance and traction.
Noise-control features cut interior noise by up to 18%, creating a quieter cabin. Lower rolling resistance helps improve energy efficiency by as much as 6%, extending driving range. A dedicated compound that blends high-concentration silica with eco-friendly materials, combined with an optimized profile, reduces uneven wear and extends tread life by up to 15%.
Supplying OE tires for the new iX3 strengthens Hankook’s role as a core partner in BMW’s electrification strategy. Hankook has expanded its portfolio to cover key BMW electrified models — including the new iX3, the electric Gran Coupe i4 and the flagship iX — reinforcing its reputation as a top-tier global technology leader in the EV tire market.
Since first partnering with MINI in 2011, Hankook has built a broad BMW portfolio that spans the 1 Series through the 5 Series, SAV models X1, X3 and X5, the flagship New 7 Series, and high-performance M models such as the X3 M, X4 M and M5, helping to cement the premium stature of the global Hankook brand.
Hankook has also strengthened its position as a key BMW partner by supplying OE tires for both BMW’s internal-combustion and electrified core models and by remaining the exclusive high-performance tire supplier at the BMW Driving Center — the automotive culture complex run by BMW Group Korea — for 12 consecutive years.
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