Hankook’s New Generation of TBR Winter Tires, the AW53 and DW53—International Launch at Premier Park in Porvoo, Testing in Ivalo

Hankook brought its new generation of Smart Control AW53 and DW53 winter tires to Premier Park in Porvoo for a Europe-wide launch in early October. The development and testing of these new tires, which were first unveiled at the IAA Transportation 2026 trade show in Hannover, were conducted in part at UTAC’s testing center in Ivalo.

More than 120 professionals from the tire and transportation industries, as well as representatives from the European media, attended the four-day international event organized by Hankook at Premier Park in Porvoo from September 28 to October 2. The program consisted of technical presentations of the new tires and practical test drives in winter conditions.

The Smart Control AW53, designed for the steering axle, and the Smart Control DW53, designed for the drive axle, will gradually replace Hankook’s previous AW02 and DW07 winter tires. In developing this new generation, the company has placed particular emphasis on snow grip, driving stability, mileage, and the retention of performance characteristics as the tire wears.

“The biggest improvements in winter performance come from the Hidden Groove tread pattern and 3D sipe technology,” said Richard Bezant, Marketing Director for Truck & Bus Tires at Hankook Tire Europe, describing the key innovations.

Hidden grooves are activated as the tire wears

The key technical solution of the Smart Control generation is Hidden Groove technology. New functional grooves and sipes form on the tread as the tire wears down. At approximately 40 percent wear, new 3D sipes emerge, designed to maintain the stiffness and traction of the tread blocks. At approximately 70 percent wear, additional grooves open up to enhance wet grip.

According to Hankook, the Hidden Groove structure and self-regenerating sipes can extend the service life of the new Smart Control tire generation by up to 15 percent compared to previous models. This is based on comparison results reported by the manufacturer. The zigzag-shaped grooves in the tread pattern and 3D sipes increase friction edges on snow and ice. At the same time, the tread block support structures are designed to significantly reduce the tread movement typical of heavily siped winter tires on bare roads and to improve driving stability. The main grooves also feature stone ejectors and Y-shaped lateral grooves, which are designed to reduce stone penetration into the structure and protect the tire carcass.

Winter performance was tested in Ivalo

The winter performance of the AW53 and DW53 was developed at UTAC’s Ivalo test center. According to Hankook’s own comparison results, the new generation of tires improved braking on snow by 2.8 percent, acceleration by 4 percent, and handling by 3.7 percent compared to their predecessors.

The Ivalo program included, among other things, acceleration from 0 to 30 km/h, braking from 65 km/h, a handling course, and a slalom test.

Driving Challenges in Porvoo 

At the Porvoo event, participants had the opportunity to test the tire generation’s performance in real-world conditions. The driving exercises included starting from a standstill and maintaining traction on an incline, handling maneuvers, as well as braking and evasive maneuvers. The program also included testing emergency braking on a surface with extremely low friction.

Hankook also highlighted the behavior of the new tire at the start of the season, when winter tires are new but the roads may still be bare. The goal is to combine winter traction with sufficient tread block stiffness so that heavy vehicles maintain their maneuverability even on dry and wet asphalt.

3D printing enables more precise structures

Hankook utilizes metal 3D printing in the manufacture of tire molds. According to the company, 3D technology allows for the production of highly precise vulcanization mold components and enables the creation of sipes that are thinner, deeper, and geometrically more complex than before.

According to Bezant, it is precisely through the use of 3D-printed mold components that smaller sipes can be created that extend deeper into the tread. The solution aims to preserve the tire’s functional properties even as wear progresses. In addition to traction, the technology can influence wear, the stiffness of the tread blocks, and the tire’s thermal management.

Two sizes available at launch; the lineup will expand in 2027

The Smart Control AW53 will initially be available in size 385/65 R22.5 164K (158L). The first size of the DW53 for the drive axle is 315/80 R22.5 156/150L. Both products feature M+S and 3PMSF markings, and the tires can be regrooved and retreaded.

Hankook announced that the lineup will expand during 2027. Production of the new tires has begun in Korea, and the AW53 and DW53 models are already available for order. Sizes 315/70 R22.5 and 385/55 R22.5 will also be available soon.