Hankook Tyre launches latest range of silica low rolling-resistance tyres in Australia
Hankook enfren improves fuel economy by as much as five per cent, reducing CO2 emissions
Retro-fitted technology helps Australian consumers save on fuel and minimise environmental impact

Hankook Tyre, the seventh-largest and one of the fastest growing tyre manufacturers in the world (1), has launched a revolutionary range of low rolling-resistance tyres which can improve fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the friction workload of vehicles.

Tyre rolling-resistance accounts for 20 percent of a vehicle’s fuel consumption. Lowering the coefficient of rolling-resistance can deliver major economic and environmental gains.

Under the brand name enfren, this new range of low rolling-resistance tyres is a product of Hankook Tyre’s Kontrol Technology (2) development cycle. enfren combines a number of technologies to help improve fuel economy by as much as five per cent, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions.

Australia is the first market in the world outside Korea to receive the new enfren technology The local release of the Hankook enfren tyre range reiterates the growing importance of the Australian market to Hankook Tire.

According to official Korean Automotive Institute testing, fitting Hankook enfren tyres to a car can reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 4.1 g/km. Over a ten year life span, a car with enfren tyres will emit up to 820kg less CO2 than the same car on conventional tyres (3).

The Hankook enfren tyre has advanced the use of silica compound technology in tyres. Improved rolling-resistance and reduced energy consumption is complemented by Hankook’s continued focus on performance and safety.

While a small number of tyre companies produce tyres boasting silica compound, not all silica tyres are created equal.

Hankook utilises 100 per cent pure silica, special bonding agents and mixing technology to ensure the best and most even silica dispersal and a better overall performance.

In independent control tests conducted in Europe by testing agency TUV Europe, the Hankook enfren tyre showed a rolling-resistance coefficient of 8.32 compared with a conventional tyre of the same with a coefficient of 10.54 (4). This represents a 21 per cent reduction in rolling-resistance coefficient.

In a real world test conducted in Australia using a pair of identical Hyundai i30s and verified by motorsport officials, Hankook enfren tyres returned a five per cent fuel consumption advantage over conventional steel belt radials (5).

Hankook Tyre Australia’s managing director, Mr Paul Park, says the introduction of the Hankook enfren tyre is a significant step in the evolution of Hankook and the first major tyre launch the company has undertaken in Australia.

“This tyre is revolutionary. Combined with regular tyre and vehicle maintenance and correct inflation, the Hankook enfren low rolling-resistance tyre has the potential to save Australian consumers a significant amount of money,” said Mr Park.

“Low rolling-resistance tyres such as Hankook enfren is one of the few efficiency advantages that can be retro-fitted to cars already in service meaning consumers can take up the technology for a relatively low cost without having to buy a new car,” he added.

Hankook Tire has recently announced an ongoing investment into researching and developing more eco-friendly tyre technology and design totaling at least the equivalent of AUD$26.6 million annually. This global investment represents a concerted effort to meet and exceed emerging environmental demands from regulators, original equipment manufacturers and consumers.

The emphasis on technology and design applied to the development of the enfren tyre allows Hankook to offer consumers both fuel and environmental benefits as well as sustained vehicle safety and performance through structural design and innovative silica compound technology.

“Hankook is proud to continue to make waves in the industry by consistently producing more affordable, class leading, quality tyres that are an increasingly relevant choice for Australian consumers,” said Mr Park.

Hankook’s enfren low rolling-resistance tyre is available in a wide range of the sizes to fit a wide range of popular cars available in Australia.