Hankook Tire Presents Design Innovation Through Collaboration with Vibram®

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hankook Tire's strategic partnership with Vibram^®, the premium outsole company, has enabled the development of futuristic concept tires and shoes in a cross-industry collaboration. By combining the two companies' significant technological strengths and authentic styles, the collaboration has pushed the boundaries of performance in both industries.

In many ways, Hankook Tire and Vibram^® are a natural fit for one another. They both have over 70 years of growth and success under their belt, they boast global distribution networks, and they have consistently garnered recognition for innovation in their respective fields. And, of course, both companies specialize in providing superior traction. With their impressive R&D backgrounds in developing high quality materials, the two companies have continually set new yardsticks in performance and design.

Hankook Tire has now utilized Vibram^®'s hyper-functional design for its latest concept tires, while simultaneously enabling Vibram^® to integrate cutting-edge tire technologies into its footwear offerings. In total, five products are being unveiled. Hankook Tire is releasing two off-road concept tires, the DynaMIX and DynaSYNC, and Vibram^® is releasing three concept shoes, the DynaTREK, DynaSTRYKE BKL, and Omnifuse. The shoes will serve as successors to Vibram^®'s wildly popular Vibram FiveFingers^® lineup.

Hankook Tire's DynaMIX and DynaSYNC were inspired by the flexible blocks found on the outer soles of Vibram^®'s hiking shoes. These blocks are designed to change their contact positions in response to variations in ground surface. The use of different layer structures also allows for multiple style choices.

DynaMIX tires take advantage of Vibram^®'s Ultra-light 3D Cocoon Technology. Multi-direction geometric dimensional blocks serve to protect the tires from road impacts. At the same time, traction, block stability and flexibility are improved while sidewall weights are reduced. The DynaMIX's three-dimensional tread pattern excels in tough off-road conditions. The texture and design of particular tread blocks in the pattern have been tailored to maximize overall performance. The glitter surface of the tire is polished, which enhances handling and wet performance, while at the same time promoting greater control at faster speeds. And finally, the geometric sidewalls integrate Hankook Tire's wet-tech holes, enabling the sidewalls to achieve greater flexibility and disperse shocks.

DynaSYNC features Vibram^®'s iconic Carrarmato lugs design on its tread pattern to improve traction in mountainous terrain. The honeycomb structure grooves that prevents puncture or tire chips due to gravel or stones. This improves shock absorption and provides powerful and safe handling. And the sidewall comes in a variety of color compounds, allowing car owners to match the tires to their car's body color. Its dual-layered sidewall structure prevent cracking by enhancing block stiffness and reducing severe deformations during cornering and high-speed maneuvers.

Vibram^®'s DynaTREK and DynaSTRYKE BKL concept shoes are paired with the DynaMIX and DynaSYNC concept tires, respectively, as sister products. The DynaTREK boasts a high performance outdoor/hiking outsole, and it uses the same Ultra-light 3D Cocoon Technology found in the DynaMIX to provide enhanced protection and shock absorption. It also sports the DynaMIX's center stripe around the entire sole, highlighting the collaboration story between the two brands. The DynaSTRYKE BKL reflects the performance attributes of the DynaSYNC. The Megagrip rubber outsole and the interlocking lugs provide unparalleled winter running performance in a Vibram FiveFingers^® shoe. Moreover, thermochromatic pigment applied to the DynaSTRYKE BKL induces a subzero appearance with the color shifting at the toes. Finally, the Omnifuse adapts motifs from conventional tire products.

"This joint project fits ideally with our ongoing commitment to investing in technological innovations and performance-oriented designs. Moreover, from a macro-perspective, the project reflects Hankook Tire's longstanding core company value – progressive innovation. This momentum will be carried forward in the future as the company continues to take an authentic, meaningful approach to meeting the challenges of future driving experience." said Mr. Seung Hwa Suh, Vice Chairman & CEO of Hankook Tire.

The five jointly developed products will be exhibited from September 15 to 27 at the Hankook Tire booth at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany.

About Hankook Tire Co., Ltd.

Hankook Tire (Vice Chairman & CEO: Seung-Hwa Suh) is one of the world's top five companies in the mass production of tires. The company is dedicated to leading the industry in innovation with its proven technological excellence. It offers award-winning products through five R&D centers and seven production facilities around the world. It is also committed to actively investing in the expansion of its core capabilities, allowing the company to deliver consumers the utmost in driving satisfaction. Hankook Tire produces superior quality, high performance radial tires for passenger cars, 4x4s, SUVs, light trucks, campers, trucks, buses and motorsport vehicles. It currently employs approximately 22,000 people around the world, and its products are available in over 180 countries.

For more information, visit Hankook Tire's global website at www.hankooktire.com/global.

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SOURCE Hankook Tire