Based in Finland, Nokian Tyres is ready to launch the next iteration of its flagship winter tire, the studded Hakkapeliitta 10, which offers outstanding grip on the most punishing surfaces to passenger cars, SUVs, and now electrified vehicles.
We all know how difficult it is to drive through snowy or icy roads. If it doesn’t get stuck, the vehicle tends to lose grip quickly and start sliding all over the place.
This might be fun in an open area, far from any public roads where adrenaline junkies can practice their drifting skills using their mom’s Volvo; when this happens on a busy road or highway, though, any form of excitement is replaced by sheer terror.
That is where capable winter tires can offer valuable peace of mind and one of the most capable models we can find on the market right now is Nokian’s not-so-easy-to-pronounce Hakkapeliitta 9, which is set to make room for an updated version this spring.
Predictably called Hakkapeliitta 10, the latest model features updated stud technology that Nokian promises will improve the tire’s efficiency in grueling winter conditions even further.
Considering it comes from the northernmost tire manufacturer, which has plenty of snow and icy roads to test them on, the Hakkapeliitta range benefits from some of the most intensive development and testing cycles in the industry.
The company also employs one of the most innovative functional studding systems to ever feature on a winter tire.
“Developing the correct studs was a long process, during which the stud development department tested dozens of different variations,” says Development Manager Mikko Liukkula.
The result is the patented double-stud technology which includes a dedicated type of stud in the center of the tread and a separate type on each side.
This ensures excellent longitudinal and lateral grip, resulting in a natural driving feel during braking, acceleration, and cornering on icy and snowy surfaces.
For the first time, it will be available in a dedicated version for electric vehicles and hybrids, designed to boost the efficiency and safety of EVs.
Moreover, since this model has been the leading winter tire choice in the Nordic countries and Russia for years, the Finish manufacturer is set to introduce a model specifically tailored for the Russian market, the Hakkapeliitta 10p.
The updated tires use an innovative type of eco-friendly winter compound that offers up to 6% better braking grip on wet asphalt, according to multiple tests conducted by the manufacturer.
Nokian also tells us that, just like the previous generation, they have the lowest rolling noise and fuel consumption of any studded tires in their product family.
Also borrowed from the ninth generation is the state-of-the-art thread pattern that was chosen out of 28 different designs tested on more than 7,000 prototypes.
They will start shipping to retailers in selected markets – including North America – this spring, with the comprehensive size selection being available to customers for the next winter season.
In addition to the Hakkapeliitta 10, Nokian is also introducing the new studded Nordman 8 and Nokian Nordman 8 SUV winter tires which are the low-cost alternative and won’t be available in North America.
Vlad's first car was custom coach built: an exotic he made out of wood, cardboard and a borrowed steering wheel at the age of five. Combining his previous experience in writing and car dealership years, his articles focus in depth on special cars of past and present times. Full profile
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