EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HANKOOK AT THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026

The Tire Magazine sat down with Francesco Coppola, Team Manager of Original Equipment Team 2 at Hankook’s Europe Technical Center, during The Tire Cologne 2026 to discuss the company’s latest winter tyre technologies and its approach to original equipment (OE) tyre development.

The interview focused on the European premiere of the new Winter i*cept evo⁴ SUV, one of Hankook’s key product highlights at this year’s exhibition. Francesco Coppola shared insights into the development philosophy behind the new winter tyre and explained the priorities considered when designing tyres for vehicle manufacturers.

During the conversation, Coppola highlighted the importance of balancing safety, driving performance, comfort and vehicle-specific requirements throughout the OE development process. He also discussed how close collaboration with automotive manufacturers plays a vital role in delivering tyres that meet the expectations of modern vehicles.

As one of the standout products showcased at The Tire Cologne 2026, the Winter i*cept evo⁴ SUV reflects Hankook’s continued focus on innovation and premium winter tyre technology for the SUV segment.

Watch the full interview below.