Stud design drives Nokian winter line

NOKIA, Finland (Jan. 30, 2017) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has developed and patented a "functional stud concept" that is at the heart of its newest Hakkapeliita winter tire range, which will be available in Europe and North America for the 2017-18 winter season.

Nokian claims the studded Hakkapeliitta 9 — designed for Europe's Nordic countries, Russia and North America — adapts to all forms of winter, thanks to the new stud concept, which involves "dedicated, tailored" studs for the center and shoulder areas of the tread surface. The studs help to optimize braking, acceleration and cornering on icy and snowy roads.

Juha Pirhonen, vice president of research and development for Nokian Tyres, said the new stud concept balances "longitudinal and lateral grip with eco-friendliness" thus allowing drivers to remain safe even if the weather and grip level change suddenly.

The studs in the center area feature a beveled body and a wider pin, which allows them to penetrate deeper into the ice than before, resulting in improved braking grip and lateral grip, Mr. Pirhonen said.

The studs on the shoulder areas feature a triaxial hard metal pin designed to withstand lateral forces, he said. When cornering in a vehicle, the grip edge of the stud will always encounter a maximal section of the driving surface, enhancing lateral grip.

All studs are placed and positioned precisely using computer-optimized studding equipment. Stud placement is tailored per size.

Nokian also claims the Hakkapeliitta 9 offers reduced rolling resistance vs. previous studded Hakkapeliitta models as well as reduced noise generation, thanks to "synthesis of stud technology, tire structure, tread pattern and rubber compounds."

The tire also features a directional tread pattern, which Nokian said its tests indicate is the best option for studded tires.

The Hakkapeliitta 9 supersedes the Hakkapeliitta 8, which won multiple comparison tests.

Nokian has designed the line for small family cars and sporty vehicles alike, with 52 sizes covering 14- to 20-inch rim diameters. Most will be marked XL for the highest possible load capacity in that particular size.

Mr. Pirhonen said Nokian has devoted more than four years of development and thousands of miles of testing under true winter operating environments to bring the Hakkapeliita 9 to market.

In launching the tire, Nokian cited studies showing that drivers value reliable ice and snow grip in a winter tire, especially cornering grip. The loss of lateral grip will often cause the loss of control, which is one of the most important individual contributor to fatal accidents in slippery weather, Nokian said.