Hankook Tire new bus & coach tire, Smart Touring AL22, now fully available globally

- New all-season bus & coach tire engineered to deliver exceptional comfort and maximum mileage
- Launches in Asia following successful debut in North America, Europe, and the Middle East

Seoul, Korea, May 11, 2021 – Global leading tire company Hankook Tire announced the launch of its new all-season bus & coach tire, Smart Touring AL22.

Now fully available in all major markets around the world, the Smart Touring AL22 enters the Asian market having already gained resounding approval for its high quality and reliability in North America, Europe and the Middle East. Specifically designed for bus & coach applications, the Smart Touring AL22 provides exceptional comfort and maximum mileage that makes it a perfect choice for long-haul travel.

The Smart Touring AL22 features an intricate combination of zig-zag and straight-groove tread patterns to ensure excellent straight-line driving performance at all times. Its tread also features an optimized central rib for low rolling resistance and handling stability to ensure maximum mileage and handling performance.

Moreover, the pattern is structurally arranged in a way that significantly reduces rolling noise, resulting in outstanding ride comfort. It has even acquired the highest grade in the PBN (pass-by noise) level based on the European regulations.

Fuel savings has been achieved by the tread compound, a black carbon compound in a polymeric structure that offers enhanced abrasion resistance. Furthermore, a special Multi-3D Kerf guarantees both good traction and an outstanding braking response at high speeds.

Hankook Tire is expanding its original equipment (OE) portfolio in the commercial vehicle segment. For example, the company released its first-ever dedicated electric bus tire Smart City AU06 in 2020. This innovative urban bus tire features a block design modeled after electric circuits and is equipped with innovative technology to increase efficiency of electric buses.

“The characteristics of the Smart Touring AL22 not only allow maximum travel comfort for passengers, they also maximize driving and handling comfort for the driver,” says Sooil Lee, President and CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology. “We aim to target the global bus tire market with our AL22 for regional and long-distance travel, AU04 for short distance and downtown drive, and AU06 for electric bus market.”