Functionality for the Northern winter: The unique stud concept in the new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 will get you there safely and naturally
Press release 27.1.2017
The new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 studded tyre adapts to all forms of winter in a skilful and balanced manner. The unique, patented Nokian Tyres Functional Stud Concept is at the heart of the new product. The different studs that operate during braking, acceleration and cornering ensure easy and comfortable driving even on the worst winter days.
In addition to excellent longitudinal grip, the world’s first functional stud solution offers drivers supreme lateral grip on icy and snowy driving surfaces. Nokian Tyres’ new tread pattern technology also offers stable bare-road handling. The Hakkapeliitta 9 behaves in a controlled and logical manner under extreme conditions at the grip limits, and it rolls lighter than the previous studded Hakkapeliitta generation, which results in fuel savings. The comfortably silent rolling noise supplements the green nature of this winter road champion.
The modern product range is designed for small family cars and sporty vehicles alike, and it covers 52 sizes from 14 inches to 20 inches. Most of them are marked XL for the highest possible load capacity in that particular size. The extensive and modern selection for the flagship product from the world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer will be available for the winter tyre season of autumn 2017.
This new-generation studded Hakkapeliitta tyre supersedes the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, which won multiple comparison tests. Similarly to the other Hakkapeliitta winter tyres designed for demanding winter conditions, the main markets for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 are in the Nordic countries, Russia and North America.
Functional studding solution creates supreme winter grip
Studies show that drivers especially value reliable ice and snow grip in a winter tyre. Of special concern is a situation that is often encountered during lane changes and cornering: grip disappears and the car loses control. 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.
- One of our starting points was to develop a completely new studded tyre that combines balanced longitudinal and lateral grip with eco-friendliness. A product that allows drivers to remain safe even if the weather and grip level change suddenly. The new Hakkapeliitta 9 has a dedicated, tailored stud for the centre of the tread and a separate stud for the shoulder areas. The new technology is unique in the world and also the first of its kind in Hakkapeliitta winter tyres, says Juha Pirhonen, Vice President of Research and Development for Nokian Tyres.
Developing the world’s best studded tyres requires a synthesis of stud technology, tyre structure, tread pattern and rubber compounds. It also involves over 4 years of development and countless kilometres of testing under actual operating environments. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 was fine-tuned to master extreme conditions at Nokian Tyres’ “White Hell” testing center in Ivalo, north of the Arctic Circle.
Functional stud concept, more controlled safety
The revolutionary functional stud concept provides the new product with supreme winter grip and controlled road contact on all surfaces.
The studs in the centre area maximise reliable longitudinal grip during acceleration and braking; it is supported by the optimal shape of the stud’s body, lower flange and hard metal centre part. The longitudinally wide hard metal pin on the centre studs offers a maximum amount of grip surface, enabling the best possible longitudinal grip.
- The upper part of the stud body also contains a remarkable new innovation. The upper part of the stud body is bevelled, which allows the stud to penetrate even deeper into the ice than before; this further improves braking grip and lateral grip, Pirhonen says.
The studs on the shoulder areas have been developed in order to provide first-class lateral grip, which is especially required when cornering on slippery surfaces. The stud body and flange are different from that of the centre studs, and the triaxial hard metal pin has been designed to effectively withstand lateral forces. When cornering in a vehicle, the grip edge of the stud will always encounter a maximal section of the driving surface, which maximises lateral grip. This technical innovation offers improved, precise handling under slippery conditions.
Like its predecessor, the new Hakkapeliitta 9 has a directional tread pattern and a fixed rotating direction. Our tests indicate that this is the best option for studded tyres.
All studs are placed and positioned precisely using studding equipment that utilises the latest technology. Stud placement is computer-optimised and tailored per size. For example, the popular size 205/55 R16 has the same number of studs in the new product as in the previous-generation Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8.
Eco-friendly stud technology
The world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer is continuously developing its products in order to produce even safer and eco-friendlier studded tyres. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9’s precise stud contact is managed by the Eco Stud 9 concept.
The Nokian Eco Stud 9 concept consists of two studs of different shapes, an Eco Stud cushion that dampens road contact, an air space in the middle of the lower flange that reduces stud impact and the bevelled hard metal tips of the centre studs. The bevelled stud tips distribute the stud’s impact force across a wider area. The eco-friendly, modern Eco Stud 9 concept reduces road wear and ensures that the noise level is at a more comfortable level than in the already silent Hakkapeliitta 8 studded tyre.
Excellent grip on snow - Snow Grip Booster
In addition to reliable ice grip, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 enjoys snow and bare roads. The strongly supported, stylish tread pattern is heavily grooved with Self-locking 3D sipes that improve handling by making the tyre respond quickly and sensitively to steering. The self-locking sipes lock the tread blocks firmly together on road contact, which results in fluent driving during cornering and evasions.
The dense siping combined with the Snow Grip Boosters on both sides of the middle blocks in the centre of the tread provides more sharp edges for improved snow grip in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The aggressive Deep Snow Boosters on the shoulder areas provide additional grip when driving in deep snow.
The tread compound also strengthens the impressive winter grip. This show of force from Nokian Tyres’ product development engineers combines safety with the green nature of the Hakkapeliitta 9. The main components of this new type of eco-friendly winter compound are silica, canola oil, natural rubber and, in particular, the new Green Elasto Proof biomaterial that helps the rubber compound maintain its elasticity even at low temperatures. Canola oil improves the tear strength of the rubber compound.
The elasticity of the tread also boosts the operation of the sipes, which improves grip on snow. The strong and durable chemical bonds allow the tread compound to offer the best possible grip year after year, even as the kilometres add up.
Comfortable and stable even on bare roads
Nowadays, varying winter weather is the norm rather than an exception. This means that a large part of winter driving takes place on bare asphalt.
- Medium-sized and large family cars with high wheel loads and powerful engines require special attention during the design of a studded tyre. Sensitive traction control systems also create challenges for the development of gripping studded tyres. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 is comfortable and balanced even on bare roads. The stable handling is made possible by the Stability support network tread pattern, where a tread support network that is rigid and unified at the bottom of the groove gets more grooves and sipes as it approaches road contact, Pirhonen explains.
The strong Ultra High Tensile Steel belt structure makes the structure light but hard, which can be felt as precise handling even at higher speeds. The sturdy structure also prevents punctures better than before. The new special Clinch rubber compound in the bead area also improves driving comfort and durability.
Driving Safety Indicator for improved winter safety
As before, the tread contains the Driving Safety Indicator (DSI) patented by Nokian Tyres. The numbers on the centre surface of the tyre indicate how much of the main groove depth remains on the tread. The snowflake symbol or Winter Safety Indicator (WSI) remains visible to a groove depth of four millimetres. Once the snowflake has worn out, we recommend purchasing new winter tyres in order to ensure sufficient safety.
The location and pressure indicators on the information area improve safety. The information area allows for recording the correct inflation pressure and installation location when changing the tyres. Comfort and safety are improved further by an additional section that can be used to record the tightening torque of bolts for alloy rims.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 – Naturally functional
- Unique stud concept provides extreme grip
- Stable and balanced handling
- Lower tyre noise and fuel consumption
Launch site – photos and more info: www.nokiantyres.com/Hakkapeliitta9
Nokian Tyres – the world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer
Main innovations:
Nokian Tyres Functional Stud Concept. Extreme winter grip. A dedicated, tailored stud for the centre of the tread and a separate stud for the shoulder areas. In addition to excellent longitudinal grip, the different studs that operate with natural efficiency during braking, acceleration and cornering ensure supreme lateral grip on icy and snowy surfaces.
Eco Stud 9 Concept. Better winter safety, softer road contact.
Two studs with different shapes, an Eco Stud cushion that dampens road contact, an air space in the middle of the lower flange that reduces stud impact, and the bevelled hard metal tips of the centre studs. The bevelled stud tips distribute the stud’s impact force across a wider area. The eco-friendly, modern stud concept reduces road wear and ensures that noise is at a comfortable level.
Snow Grip Booster. Excellent grip on snow. The cuts on both sides of the middle blocks on the centre of the tread provide more sharp edges that improve grip on snow.
Deep Snow Booster. More grip on snowy roads. The aggressive Deep Snow Boosters on the shoulder areas provide additional grip when moving onto deep snow.
Eco-friendly tread compound. Impressive winter grip and durability. The new type of eco-friendly winter compound combines winter safety and durability. The new Green Elasto Proof biomaterial keeps the rubber compound elastic even at low temperatures. Canola oil improves the tear strength of the rubber compound. The strong and durable chemical bonds allow the tread compound to offer the best possible grip year after year, even as the kilometres add up.
Stability support network tread pattern. Stable and comfortable handling. The tread support network that is rigid and unified at the bottom of the groove gets more grooves and sipes as it approaches road contact.
Self-locking 3D sipes. More driving precision. The self-locking 3D sipes lock the tread blocks together on road contact, improving handling in turns and during evasions.
Ultra High Tensile Steel belt structure. Balanced and precise driving feel means more enjoyable kilometres. The strong High Tensile Steel belt structure makes the structure light but hard, which can be felt as precise handling during evasions and lane changes, even at higher speeds. Improved cut and puncture resistance also improve the mileage.
Special Clinch rubber compound. Optimised durability, low noise level. The rubber compound presses flexibly against the wheel flange, providing the bead area with more durability. The innovation also effectively minimises the interior noise, since it dampens the vibrations from the tyre body, preventing them from passing into the tyre and further inside the vehicle.
Further information:
Nokian Tyres plc
Vice President, Research and Development Juha Pirhonen, tel. +358 10 401 7708
juha.pirhonen@nokiantyres.com
Technical Customer Service Manager Matti Morri, tel. +358 10 401 7621
matti.morri@nokiantyres.com
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Nokian Tyres is the world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer. The company promotes and facilitates safe driving in demanding conditions. It supplies innovative tyres for cars, trucks and special heavy machinery mainly in areas with special challenges on tyre performance: snow, forests and harsh driving conditions in different seasons. Nokian Tyres’ product development is consistently aiming for sustainable solutions for safety and the environment, taking into account the whole life cycle of the tyre. A part of the Nokian Tyres group, the tyre chain Vianor has 1,494 outlets in 26 countries. In 2015 Nokian Tyres had approximately 4,400 employees and net sales of approximately 1,4 billion euros. Nokian Tyres’ share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. Further information: www.nokiantyres.com
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