Unique stud concept: The new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV – Balanced grip, stable and durable to drive

Press release 27.1.2017

Nokian Tyres’ new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV studded winter tyre is developed for sport utility vehicles. It grips firmly and handles steadily thanks to the industry’s most modern stud technology and new innovations. The balanced longitudinal and lateral grip makes driving safe and carefree on ice, snow or slush alike. The patented Nokian Tyres Functional Stud Concept, which was successfully introduced in the Hakkapeliitta 9 passenger car tyre, and the tread compound were further refined for demanding SUV use. The Aramid Sidewall technology, which utilises aramid fibre, optimises durability.

The comprehensive and modern size selection of the sturdy Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 covers 51 products from 16 to 21 inches, and it will be available to consumers in its entirety during the winter tyre season of autumn 2017. The versatile selection also offers several special products that employ Flat Run technology or that are marked XL for the highest possible load capacity. The key markets for this new introduction to the test-winning Hakkapeliitta winter tyre family are the Nordic countries, Russia and North America.

Functional stud concept maximises balanced grip

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV, a firm champion of harsh Northern winter weather, has a symmetrical and directional tread pattern and a fixed rotating direction. This design, which has been found to work the best under varying winter weather, supports a wide stud distribution that reinforces grip and lowers rolling noise. The management of balanced grip is especially important in high-performance SUVs that are higher than normal cars.

- The unique functional stud concept of the new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV offers SUV drivers both excellent longitudinal grip and supreme lateral grip on ice and snow. The new stud concept balances longitudinal and lateral ice grip very well, which allows the tyre to retain steering and stability even when quick reactions are required, says Juha Pirhonen, Vice President of Research and Development for Nokian Tyres.

The revolutionary functional stud concept has tailored studs for the centre section of the tread and the shoulder areas. The different studs in the various parts of the tyre act as active safety equipment. The studs in the centre area maximise reliable longitudinal grip during acceleration and braking.

The studs on the shoulder areas provide first-class lateral grip, which is especially required when cornering on slippery surfaces. The grip edge of the stud will always encounter a maximal section of the driving surface, which maximises lateral grip. The upper part of the stud body is bevelled, which allows the stud to penetrate even deeper into the ice than before. This can be felt in the improved grip on ice.

The precise stud contact is managed by the Eco Stud 9 concept. All of the studs are placed and positioned precisely using a studding technique that utilises the latest technology. Stud placement is computer-optimised and tailored per size. The relentless grip of the new Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV is also ensured by studs that are dimensioned for heavy SUV use.

Snow Grip Boosters on both sides of the middle blocks in the centre of the tread provide 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.

Reliable to drive, excellent grip

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV actively supports the stability control systems of SUVs, bearing and managing its high wheel loads precisely and in a flexible manner. Stability is improved by means of several innovations.

- The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV, designed for hard and versatile use, has a stiffened shoulder area that uses support bridges between the shoulder blocks. These supports reduce the movement of the tread blocks, which improves driving stability, Pirhonen says.

The new eco-friendly tread compound was tailored for versatile SUV use. The special rubber compound works across a wide temperature range, lasts for a long time and ensures safe grip and stable handling.

The durable and strong double body structure also offers added firmness for driving on rural by-roads as well as urban highways.

Exact information on tyre condition

The location and pressure indicators on the sidewall info area improve winter safety and user comfort. The information area allows for recording the correct inflation pressure and installation location when changing the tyres.

The tread surface also has 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 of the Winter Safety Indicator (WSI) remains visible to a groove depth of four millimetres. Once the snowflake has worn out, the driver should purchase new winter tyres to ensure sufficient winter safety.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV – Naturally functional

• Balanced lateral and longitudinal grip on ice and snow 
• Extremely stable and sturdy handling 
• Better durability due to the strong structure and Aramid sidewalls  

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.

Stiffened shoulder area. Better driving stability. The support bridges between the shoulder blocks reduce the movement of the tread blocks, which improves driving comfort.

 Aramid Sidewall Technology. Unique durability. The sidewall compound includes extremely durable aramid staple fibre. The same material is utilised by the aerospace and defence industries. The aramid fibre reinforces the sidewall to even better withstand surprising impacts and cuts.

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 driving in deep snow. 

Eco-friendly tread compound. Impressive winter grip, stability 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 special rubber compound works across a wide temperature range, lasts for a long time and ensures safe grip and stable handling.

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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