The winner: The new Hankook All-Season tire Optimo 4S fully convinces testers at Auto Bild

• Quality for every season: During the product test conducted by Auto Bild, the all-weather tire Optimo 4S by Hankook Tire received the best ratings
• Testers acknowledge "top driving performance under all weather conditions"
• The seal of approval "exemplary" substantiates once again the premium standard of Hankook Tire
• Optimo 4S is the only tyre worldwide to have been awarded the Blue Angel by the German Federal Environmental Agency

Neu Isenburg, 22 September 2008 – The new all-season tire Optimo 4S by Hankook Tire, currently the seventh largest and fastest growing tire manufacturer in the world1), simply shines with its most recent benchmark test results in Auto Bild, Europe's largest automobile magazine. The all rounder was one of just two tyres rated as "exemplary". The editor stamped the Optimo 4S (stands for four seasons), as the only tested tyre "that outperforms in any kind of weather". The tire received further kudos for its "dynamic handling quality on snow-covered roads" as well as short braking distances on wet as well as dry courses". Eight all-season-products from various makers were tested on a VW Golf and in the following dimensions: 195/65 R 15 T/H/V.



The all-new Hankook Optimo 4S further convinced with its superior balance in any kind of weather. Whether it be, snow, rain or dry. The Hankook All Season tyre was the only one be-ing tested that managed to get the highest points under all "sea-sonal" conditions in terms of han-dling performance.

Also when testing the most important safety criteria, namely braking on snow-covered, wet or dry roads, the Optimo 4S was the only tire in the test that received the highest points. Its total performance on dry roads, which has always been a major deficiency for all-season tyres in the past, received the highest points possible from Auto Bild, here too, no competitor even came close.



On top of that, with the Optimo 4S, Hankook Tire is currently the only tyre manufacturer in the world that has a product that can bear the Blue Angel eco label 2) for rolling resistance and by-pass noise. This renowned and official environmental test mark from the Federal Republic of Germany provides informa-tion to consumers on the most environmental friendly, and at the same time, highest quality product within a class.

The Blue Angel has been awarded for more than 30 years by the German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labeling on the initiative of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Besides good rolling and by-pass noise resistance, the award criteria calls for excellent wet braking and hydroplaning performance and low tyre weight.

"The Auto Bild test proves that, thanks to progressive material and manufacturing technologies, a modern, high-performance and well balanced all-season tire such as the Optimo 4S occasionally can be a realistic alternative to changing summer and snow tires ", Seung-Do Jin, Executive Vice President and European COO of Hankook Tire in Europe , comments on the independent commendation of Auto Bild. "We are very happy about the excellent test results for our latest product, this emphasizes the effort we put in to combining our high degree of developmental competence with driving comfort, efficiency and safety at the highest level of technology. We will continue to market top products throughout all segments for our demanding clientele."

The Optimo 4S targets quality conscious and eco-minded drivers who no longer want to switch between summer and winter tyres. The increasingly alternating weather conditions resulting from climate change is turning the habitual half-year tyre change in vast parts of Europe more and more into a lottery. Introducing the new AllSeason tyre Optimo 4S, Hankook Tire is the first tyre manufacturer responding to the needs of an increasing number of consumers who pay attention to environmental sustainability when buying tyres.

The Optimo 4S is an all-rounder that can cope with all weather conditions due to its asymmetrical tyre profile. With an interior side optimized for driving on snow and an exterior that ensures ideal handling and braking conditions on wet surfaces, the tyre exemplifies the realization of Hankook Tire's technological philosophy, Kontrol Technology. Kontrol Technology guarantees the continuing use of ground breaking development competence and innovation prowess by, the technology leader, Hankook Tire in all product classes and performance categories.

Safe journey in wet and snowy conditions: The kerf density of the winter shoulder area of the Optimo 4S was increased by 50 percent over previous products. The result: the block rims drill into the snow like spikes, ensuring optimal grip. Next to the enlarged tread area, additional grip and optimized wear behav-ior are achieved through the SCCT contour of the Optimo 4S. The Hankook-patented SCCT technology (Stiffness Control Contour Theory) ensures constant abrasion and ideal handling via optimized stress distribution within the tyre body. As a real winter specialist, the Optimo 4S bares the snowflake symbol, that guarantees full insurance even on a snow-covered surface. The Optimo 4S also reigns supreme on wet surfaces, its extra-wide lateral grooves ensure optimal drainage, channeling water outwards. Hydroplaning is effectively prevented.

Ideal for summer rides: The outer rib shoulder of the Optimo 4S is fine tuned to meet the sophisticated demands of cornering. Increased block rigidity ensures an exact steering response on dry surfaces. The massive central straight tread-rib of the Optimo 4S ensure directional stability even on higher speeds. Despite it being sporty, the summer outing will not end up being an expensive pleasure – an extra-wide tread increases the resilience of the tyre while reducing abrasion. In addition, Hybrid Polymer-Chains facilitate and maximize the interaction between silica and rubber in the tread surface composite, thereby rendering Optimo 4S a real fuel saver. Hankook Tires' new all-season tyre truly deserves the Blue Angel and impressively demonstrates what performance Kontrol Technology can deliver. The all new Hankook Optimo 4S will be available from summer 2008 in 41 sizes from 175/70 R 13 T for smaller vehicles up to V-rated 235/45 R 17 UHP-sizes for upper and luxury class cars.

1) According to US-Magazine Modern Tire Dealer (Jan. 2008)
2) For more information please visit www.blauer-engel.de

Technical Information of new Hankook Optimo 4S
1. Improved performance and steering response on dry surface:

• The increased rigidity of the outer shoulder block rib ensures excellent handling.
• Straight wide center rib increases directional stability.

2. Improved winter performance

• increased ground contact of center area and kerf density enhancing traction force
• asymmetric pattern with more kerfs on the inside shoulder blocks increase snow performance

3. Improved wet performance and fuel efficiency

• Through applying new High-Dispersive Silica-Compound both wet grip and fuel efficiency have been maximized

4. Optimal handling and prolonged lifespan:

• Thanks to Stiffness Control Contour Technology (SCCT) the increased tension of the Carcass Line minimizes its deformation under internal pressure.