EV & Future Mobility

Laufenn Launches S Fit 2: First OE Summer Tyre for European Car Manufacturers

Published:
March 13, 2026
Author:
James Lockwood

Laufenn has unveiled the S Fit 2, a new sporty summer tyre that represents a significant milestone for the Hankook associate brand, its first model to be specified as original equipment by a European car manufacturer. Available commercially in 94 sizes spanning 15 to 20 inches, with a dedicated SUV variant in sizes from 16 to 20 inches, the S Fit 2 has been engineered specifically for European road conditions and driving demands.

The new tyre builds on Laufenn's expanding footprint in the European replacement market and signals the brand's growing credibility at OE level, a threshold that many value-positioned tyre brands struggle to reach.

Wet Performance at the Core

Wet grip performance is the headline achievement of the S Fit 2. Thanks to a high silica content in the tread compound and a convex tread block design, the tyre achieves an EU wet grip classification of A across almost 90 per cent of its available sizes. Compared to its predecessor, the S Fit 2 delivers braking distances that are 16 per cent shorter in wet conditions, a meaningful safety gain by any measure.

Water evacuation has also been significantly improved. Four generously proportioned linear grooves channel water away from the contact patch, contributing to a ten per cent improvement in wet handling performance. The result is greater lateral and directional stability when cornering at speed in poor weather, a priority for European drivers who face highly variable seasonal conditions.

Efficiency and Longevity

Fuel efficiency is addressed through a rolling resistance rating of B to C on the EU tyre label, a competitive position for a tyre pitched at the value end of the market. A new polymer generation in the compound also delivers a 15 per cent increase in tyre mileage over the previous model, reducing the total cost of ownership for drivers over the life of the vehicle. The optimised tread design simultaneously reduces vibration transmission and cabin noise, contributing to a more composed ride in everyday use.

SUV Fitment and EV Compatibility

Alongside the standard passenger car range, Laufenn has developed an S Fit 2 SUV variant to address the growing demand for performance summer tyres on crossovers and larger vehicles. Combined with its low weight and high load capacity, the tyre is designed to suit a broad range of vehicle types.

Looking ahead, Laufenn tyres compatible with plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles will carry a dedicated EV sidewall marking, a feature that makes its debut on the S Fit 2. As EV registrations continue to grow across Europe, this marking will help retailers and consumers identify products that meet the specific load, torque, and rolling resistance demands of electrified powertrains.

A Strategic Step for the Brand

Commenting on the launch, Jang Hyuk Moon, Vice President of the Marketing Department at Hankook Tire Europe, described the S Fit 2 as reinforcing the brand's position in the summer segment. He highlighted the OE fitment achievement as an important milestone, reflecting Laufenn's continued development as a credible, performance-oriented brand in Europe.

Since its launch in 2015, Laufenn has grown its presence to more than 100 countries and broadened its product range considerably. The S Fit 2 marks the next step in that trajectory, bridging the gap between value-positioned replacement tyres and the technically rigorous standards demanded by vehicle manufacturers for OE supply.

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Tagged with: Laufenn S Fit 2, Hankook, summer tyres, OE tyre fitment, wet grip rating, EU tyre label, rolling resistance, EV tyre marking, SUV tyres, tyre mileage, European tyre market, value performance tyres

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