Hankook is showing a futuristic tyre/wheel design called i-Flex at the Frankfurt International Auto Show.

The Hankook i-Flex is an airless wheel and tyre, all in one.

With 95 percent of its construction being recyclable, the Hankook i-Flex is made from polyurethane synthetics, with the tyre manufactured in conjunction with its rim as one unit.

It is considerably lighter than conventional wheel-tire combinations and does not require air like conventional pneumatic tyres, able to offer shock absorbency through the unique design. Fuel consumption and noise emissions are thus optimised while simultaneously increasing vehicle safety.

The i-Flex is Displayed at the Frankfurt show on an ABT-tuned Volkswagen Up!, and the tyre specification is 155/590 14 (155mm wide, 590mm diameter, 14-inch ‘simulated’ wheel size).