Hankook has shed light on its plans to introduce new World Rally Championship tyres for 2027, while revealing that further upgrades to its gravel tyre could be made this season.
The WRC’s sole tyre supplier has confirmed plans to introduce two new winter tyres for next year. Hankook had signalled its intention to offer a new product for 2027 during this year’s season opener in Monte Carlo, where it confirmed development was well under way to improve its winter tyre range that has copped criticism from drivers.
Hankook has now revealed that it will introduce an all winter asphalt tyre, known as the SR20A, and a new studded ice tyre (SR11) to its range for next year. The asphalt tyre will feature wider grooves to improve the evacuation of snow and slush, and a new compound better designed to deal with cold temperatures.
Likewise, the new ice tyre will be built to a new profile and structure to improve stability and handling while running in ruts. Work to improve stud retention has also been carried out. Both tyres have received positive feedback from teams with the development testing being carried out by current Rally1 cars that will be phased out as the WRC moves to new technical regulations in 2027.
New winter asphalt tyres and studded ice tyres will debut in 2027
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
While these tyres are regarded as all-new products for 2027, development will continue on Hankook’s current asphalt and gravel tyres with changes expected to be made.
“For the tarmac hard, we are developing a new compound to improve the grip and for the wet we are also developing a new compound to improve grip in the cold conditions for like 2-5 degrees Celsius. We are also developing a structure for the tyre to improve the handling and durability of the wet tyres,” said Kim Hyeyongi, Hankook WRC R&D engineer, during a media Q&A at Hankook’s research and development facility in Korea this week.
“For the gravel [tyre], we are focusing more on the durability for the gravel hard tyres. The hard compound is normally used in the tough and harsh rallies like Greece, Portugal and Sardinia. Now, we are focusing on durability.”
Hankook introduced a new soft compound gravel tyre ahead of this year’s Safari Rally Kenya and now it appears its hard compound gravel tyre is set to undergo changes. The latest version could make its debut at Acropolis Rally Greece next month.
“We are testing the new hard compound tyres really soon and when the new specification is confirmed we will discuss with the car manufacturers to see if we can supply a new specification for the second half of this year. That is the plan,” Hyeyongi added.
“We will try to prepare the new tyres for the Acropolis.”
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