Hankook Tires: Original Equipment for Mercedes-Benz S-Class – Engineered for Excellence

The “MO” label on the sidewall of a tire signifies a mark of distinction that Hankook is exceptionally proud to display. These two letters, representing “Mercedes Original,” are reserved exclusively for tires that have successfully navigated and surpassed the rigorous quality benchmarks set by Mercedes-Benz. This prestigious approval as original equipment for Mercedes-Benz vehicles underscores the critical necessity for tires to be meticulously tailored to each specific vehicle model, ensuring optimal performance and safety. To earn the coveted “MO” designation, a tire must meet up to 50 stringent criteria established by the Mercedes-Benz Group, encompassing safety, precision handling, and ride comfort.

Sanghoon Lee, President of Hankook Tire Europe, stated, “We are immensely honored to be the original equipment supplier for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a vehicle globally recognized as the pinnacle of luxury in the automotive sector. This recognition validates our unwavering commitment to producing tires that not only meet but exceed the highest standards across diverse international markets.”

Diverse Hankook Tire Portfolio for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Building upon prior collaborations where Hankook provided a base tire for an earlier Mercedes-Benz model, the esteemed premium car manufacturer has broadened its partnership with Hankook. Hankook now serves as the original equipment manufacturer for an extensive array of tire sizes and types for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, following rigorous testing and approvals. For the current generation of the luxury saloon, unveiled in September 2020, Hankook delivers three distinct tire types – summer, winter, and all-season – each available in multiple sizes to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of Mercedes-Benz S-Class owners.

For the European market, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 summer tire, selected for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, is available in sizes ranging from 255/50 R18 to 285/40 R19. Mercedes-Benz has also approved the Hankook Winter i*cept evo 2 in sizes 255/50 R18 and 255/45 R19 as the designated winter tire for this flagship model. Hankook engineers have notably enhanced the driving dynamics of both tire models through the incorporation of an aramid hybrid reinforcement belt. This advanced material technology improves tire durability, handling precision, and stability at high speeds, crucial for the performance characteristics expected from a luxury vehicle like the S-Class.

The Hankook Winter i*cept evo 2 further distinguishes itself with an optimized tread stiffness, which delivers tangible benefits in terms of both handling responsiveness and extended tire mileage. Klaus Krause, Head of the Hankook Europe Technical Center in Hanover, who played a pivotal role in the development of these tires to meet MO specifications, explained, “During the evolution from the initial design to the subsequent iteration, we implemented additional cross-braces and refined the tread depth to a shallower profile. Furthermore, the introduction of narrower lateral tread grooves and a redesigned contour on the second upper groove has demonstrably improved noise comfort.” These detailed refinements underscore Hankook’s dedication to precision engineering and enhancing the overall driving experience.

Runflat Technology for Enhanced Safety and Mobility

Hankook extends its technological prowess to runflat capabilities with both the Ventus S1 evo 3 and the Winter i*cept evo 2, both of which have achieved the MOE (Mercedes Original Extended) seal of approval. The Mercedes-Benz Group’s “MOE” designation signifies runflat tires equipped with reinforced sidewalls. These tires are engineered to maintain operational integrity even after a sudden loss of air pressure, allowing continued driving at speeds up to 80 km/h. This crucial safety feature ensures mobility even in a flat tire scenario, enabling drivers to safely reach a Mercedes-Benz service center or a secure location for tire replacement. Despite their robust runflat construction, Hankook MOE tires are meticulously designed to minimize ride harshness, effectively absorbing road imperfections and ensuring passenger comfort is not compromised.

In the United States market, ride comfort and noise reduction are paramount considerations for luxury vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, often exceeding the importance of high-speed ratings due to prevalent speed restrictions. Hankook’s all-weather tire solution for this market, the Ventus S1 noble 2, effectively meets these stringent demands. American Mercedes-Benz S-Class owners benefit from the exceptional attributes of the Hankook Ventus S1 noble 2 in size 255/45 R 19, also available in a runflat configuration, providing optimal performance in diverse weather conditions while maintaining superior comfort.

Hankook Sound Absorber™ Technology for Unparalleled Noise Comfort (USA Market)

For the utmost in cabin quietness, the Ventus S1 noble 2 in size 255/40 R20 incorporates Hankook Sound Absorber™ technology, earning the “MOE-S” (Mercedes Original Extended Silent) designation. This label signifies tires engineered for exceptionally low noise levels. To achieve these stringent noise reduction targets, Hankook engineers integrated a specialized polyurethane foam layer within the tire body during manufacturing. This innovative Sound Absorber™ plate effectively dampens air column vibrations within the tire cavity, a primary source of unpleasant humming noise, particularly noticeable in ultra-high-performance tires with low profiles and large resonance chambers. Hankook Sound Absorber™ tires can diminish peak noise levels by an impressive five to seven dB(A), significantly enhancing cabin serenity and driving pleasure.

Sophisticated simulation tools played a crucial role in the tire development process for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, especially in optimizing pass-by noise characteristics. These advanced tools enable precise correlation between pre-calculated values and the actual noise performance of tire prototypes. While the majority of the development work was conducted at Hankook’s state-of-the-art R&D center, the Hankook Technodome, inaugurated in 2016, practical testing was primarily carried out on proving grounds in Germany, Finland, and Spain, ensuring real-world performance validation.

Manufacturing Process Enhancements for Superior Tire Uniformity

Hankook’s pursuit of excellence extends beyond tire design to encompass manufacturing process innovations. Notably, all-season and winter tires have benefited from a refined mold release methodology. Traditional green tire separation from the mold relied on eight mold sectors with near-identical angles. Hankook now employs nine or eleven sectors with varying angles. This advancement results in tires that not only surpass the stringent uniformity requirements of premium vehicle manufacturers but also exhibit more harmonious rolling characteristics, contributing to a smoother and more refined driving experience.