Hankook Weatherflex GT launch post

Expect South Korean tire manufacturer Hankook to come up with better technologies across its products over the years. As a confident tire to be used for year-round driving, the Hankook Weatherflex GT is a shining example of a product with innovative technologies such as a zigzag groove for better cornering performance and extra stiffness in the tread blocks for better handling performance. GT in the name ‘Weatherflex GT’ stands for Grand Touring, which means that this tire can be used for comfortable long-distance drives. A new tread compound that boosts both tread life and wet performance has been used here.

Feeling interested already? Wait till you read the entire Hankook Weatherflex GT launch post to know exactly how the company intends to reshape this all-weather category that is growing at the rate of knots.

Benefits of the new and improved Hankook Weatherflex GT

Those SUV and passenger car users searching for a single-tire solution that provides year-round flexibility and convenience should consider the Hankook Weatherflex GT. Plenty of expertise and technical innovations have gone into the production of this all-weather tire that is part of Hankook’s new all-weather portfolio. Here’s a look at the various benefits that the new and improved Weatherflex GT offers:

• Better performance in snow: The addition of sipes to the shoulder blocks and center of the tire enhances performance in snow.
• Ideal for harsh winter conditions: The Weatherflex GT is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for harsh winter conditions, which means the tire is optimized to offer moderate to heavy snow.
• Improved handling performance: The addition of an outer chamfer to the tread block enhances stiffness and volume, leading to stable ground pressure for improved handling performance. Extra chamfer edges have been provided for greater rigidity.
• Warranty provides peace of mind: A 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty will always give you peace of mind. Additionally, a 30-day free trial and a Road Hazard warranty are also on offer.
• Great traction: Interlocking (wave-type) 3D sipes reduce block deformation while driving, thereby improving traction. High silica and resin levels in the tread compound also improve dry and wet grip.
• Confident driving on wet surfaces: Wide lateral grooves enhance drainage performance to minimize hydroplaning, thereby offering better driving confidence on wet surfaces.
• Enhanced cornering performance: Zig-zag grooves generate road contact at different angles for enhancing cornering grip, especially in snow.
• High mileage: The Hankook Weatherflex GT is an all-weather tire for long distances as its optimized tread compound enhances mileage as well as wet performance.
• Long tread life: The even distribution of pressure here prevents irregular wear, resulting in a long tread life.
• Less noise and greater comfort: Optimized tread block positioning decreases noise due to road contact during driving. Apart from the above, varied block sizes reduce road surface impact and noise for comfort.
• Dependable: The Hankook Weatherflex GT is a tire on which you can confidently depend for year-round performance and traction.
• Saves costs: Since you do not need to buy a different set of tires for any part of the year or store them in a new location, you will end up saving money.
• Easily travel long distances: GT in the name ‘Weatherflex GT’ denotes Grand Touring. This tire has been built for regularly and comfortably traveling long distances.

But, what improvements does the Weatherflex GT boast over its predecessor, the Kinergy 4S2X?

Convenience has greatly increased over the years thanks to technology. Nowadays, almost anything digital can be done with a tiny smartphone, which shows the enormous advancements made in the field of technology. There are many examples of technology in the tire world too as the combination of several technologies prevents the need to replace tires as per seasonal changes. A good-quality all-weather tire can handle varied weather conditions, including rain, shine, and fall.

A lot of attention has been given to improving year-round handling on the Hankook Weatherflex GT. Extra tread block stiffness increases handling performance, and these blocks remain stiff thanks to interlocking 3D sipes. There are also zig-zag grooves for better cornering through unique contact angles and widened lateral grooves for preventing hydroplaning. On the other hand, the Kinergy 4S2X features a V-shaped tread pattern for better handling and traction, especially on wet surfaces. Both tires feature the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating.

The previous tire compound on the Kinergy 4S2X already contained a healthy amount of silica, but the new one in the Weatherflex GT has more silica that has been mixed with resins, leading to higher grip and durability. Instead of 60,000 miles on the older tire, the Weatherflex GT is available with a limited manufacturer tread life warranty of 70,000 miles.

Sipe density on the Weatherflex GT is greater than the Kinergy 4S2X, leading to better snow traction. There are also extra sipes in the center and shoulder blocks for boosting snow performance. While an edge design was responsible for good cornering on the older tire, there are zig-zag grooves that come in contact with the road at different angles for higher cornering performance on the Weatherflex GT. In terms of more technology, an outer chamfer has been added to the block for higher stiffness and volume on the newer tire. To decrease block deformation during driving for enhanced handling, there are interlocking 3D sipes (wave-type). Moreover, instead of the conventional multi-pitch variations, optimized multi-pitch sequencing and optimized block positioning reduce noise on the Weatherflex GT.

You can use the Hankook Weatherflex GT to sail through sudden climatic shifts as well. It has the necessary tread pattern, sipe density, and other features to handle dramatic weather changes, possibly visible while traveling from one State to another. This could even happen if you change your location for a time long enough that leads to a season change. For example, the Weatherflex GT can be your companion even while moving from a region of moderate snow to a region of heavy snow.

Who is the Weatherflex GT best suited for?

The Hankook Weatherflex GT is most suitable for customers who want a flexible and convenient year-round mobility solution. It may not be possible for them to arrange for extra space to accommodate winter tires or any other type of tires. These are also not the customers who would be tackling regular or tough off-road terrains from time to time. Instead, the GT moniker in this name is for buyers who would like to comfortably travel short or long distances in a fuss-free manner.

Mileage can be a very important criterion for a certain segment of buyers. The special tire compound enhances tread life for occupants to travel several miles. The Weatherflex GT is targeted towards users of coupes, sedans, SUVs, and other passenger cars. Apart from the above, technologically inclined users will also like to own this tire which provides numerous modern technologies.

Despite being a South Korean tire manufacturer, Hankook has a fairly wide service network in the US, having 17 years of experience in tire technology. Headquartered at 2950 International Blvd, Clarksville, TN, it consists of the following services:

• An emergency roadside assistance program called HELP guarantees tire service within two hours to get your vehicle back on the road.
• Hankook Tire America customer service is available. You can check with a Hankook tire dealer for the same.
• To locate a dealer from the vast USA dealer network, you can visit the Hankook USA website.

Drawbacks of the Weatherflex GT

Not every tire is perfect, and the same can be said about the Hankook Weatherflex GT. Though advanced in most ways, there are certain areas in which it lags behind its predecessor, and possibly other competitors. Here’s a look at the Hankook Weatherflex GT’s drawbacks:

• No reinforced sidewall: SUVs are largely prone to more sideward movements as compared to sedans. To minimize side rolling on their tires and guarantee a comfortable ride, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2X features a reinforced sidewall. No such toughened sidewall has been provided for the Weatherflex GT.
• Less eco-friendly: The Kinergy 4S2X was made using ISCC PLUS-approved natural oil and bio-based polymers, both of which are helpful in enhancing performance and durability. The Weatherflex GT does not feature such eco-friendly constituents.
• Unsuitable for extreme snow: You cannot use the Hankook Weatherflex GT for confident handling and traction in very heavy snow. Instead, it would be better to buy winter tires for such situations.

When it comes to mid-range tires, Hankook has you covered with moderate prices that don't skimp on performance or durability. Sure, you may find Hankook tires for less money, but many drivers find that the durability and longevity of these tires, as visible in the Weatherflex GT, make them a better investment. Their tires could be used in conditions ranging from snow-covered streets to rain-soaked roads, and even in the oppressive summer heat. In other words, the Weatherglex GT can be expected to deliver superior control, regardless of the conditions. No matter how many times it is emphasized, it can never be enough to describe the beauty of a single solution like the Weatherflex for unwavering year-round performance.