Hankook has introduced two new winter truck tyres: the Smart Control AW53 for steering axles and the Smart Control DW53 for drive axles. According to Hankook’s press release, the replacements for the AW02 and DW07 improved snow acceleration by 4% in the manufacturer’s internal comparison test.
The two-model approach separates the different jobs performed at the steer and drive axles. The AW53 is intended to maintain steering response and stability, while the DW53 must transmit drive torque. Both use wear-dependent tread features, but their patterns are tailored to those axle roles.
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Internal tests show gains on snow
Hankook tested the new generation against the outgoing models at the UTAC facility in Ivalo, Finland. The figures below are manufacturer-reported results rather than an independent tyre test, but they give a useful indication of the development priorities. The company did not publish the underlying stopping distances, test conditions or competitor results, so the percentages should not be read as a market-wide ranking.
| Measure | Claimed improvement vs AW02/DW07 |
|---|---|
| Snow acceleration | 4.0% |
| Snow handling | 3.7% |
| Snow braking | 2.8% |
| Service life | Up to 15% |
Tread features appear as the tyre wears
Both tyres use zigzag grooves and 3D sipes for snow and ice traction, while tie bars are intended to stabilise the tread blocks. Hankook’s Hidden Groove design exposes additional elements in stages: extra 3D sipes become visible at 40% wear, followed by concealed wet-grip grooves at 70% wear. Self-regenerating sipes are designed to help preserve winter performance later in the tyre’s service life.
Stone ejectors in the main grooves and Y-shaped lateral grooves are intended to reduce trapped stones and protect the tread and carcass. Both models are 3PMSF-marked, regroovable and retreadable.
One launch size for each axle position
| Model | Axle | Launch size | Maximum load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Control AW53 | Steering | 385/65 R22.5 164K (158L) | 5,000 kg per tyre |
| Smart Control DW53 | Drive | 315/80 R22.5 156/150L | 4,000 kg single; 3,350 kg twin |
The AW53 and DW53 made their public debut at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover. Hankook has not stated a retail price or a detailed rollout calendar, only that further sizes will follow.
For fleet operators, the practical proposition is a dedicated pair of axle-specific tyres for severe winter work, with claimed gains when new and tread features intended to remain useful as wear progresses. Purchasing decisions should still account for route conditions, retreading policy and independently measured whole-life cost once broader fleet data becomes available.