Nokian Tires, the company that invented the first automotive winter tire in 1934, presented its newest product – the Hakkapeliitta 01 tire. It is the first winter tire in the world with the ability to adjust the grip on demand, which represents the realization of a decades-old concept of a tire whose studs (nails) adapt to road conditions.
Chavlerice as needed
A key innovation is a technology called Double Action Stud that allows studs from the surface of the tire to automatically switch between ON and OFF modes as the temperature changes. According to the president and CEO of the company, Paola Pompeijathis is one of the biggest innovations in the company’s history as it enables superior safety on ice while simultaneously protecting the road surface, which was previously considered unfeasible.
The new technology is a direct result of the retractable stud concept that Nokian Tires first presented in 2014. The technical backbone of this technology rests on materials that react to changes in ambient temperature without the need for electronic sensors or driver intervention. The system works so that at extremely low temperatures, when the pavement is covered with ice, the studs are mechanically activated in ON-mode, providing maximum breaking force and stability.
In contrast, when the temperature rises or the vehicle moves on clean asphalt, the wedges retract or soften their pressure in OFF-mode, which drastically reduces mechanical road damage and noise levels. This “smart” transition allows the tire to retain the properties of a studded tire only when surface conditions are critical for safety, while offering the comfort and environmental friendliness of a classic winter tire in milder conditions.
The tread compound is partially made from renewable materials such as natural rubber, bio-resins and pine and rapeseed oils. The noise level has been reduced by one decibel, thus answering the common criticisms related to the noise of such tires.
Ready for next winter
After years of testing in laboratories and arctic centers, the final product brings significant improvements in performance. Hakkapeliitta 01 reduces road surface wear by up to 30 percent compared to previous models, while simultaneously improving grip on ice by 10 percent and on wet surfaces by 5 percent.
Hakkapeliitta 01 is intended for passenger cars, crossoverima and SUV vehicles, and has “Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake” and “Ice Grip” certificates. The production of this series of tires will take place at the factory in the Finnish city of Nokia. The new product line will be available to consumers during the fall of 2026, in order to prepare for the next winter season, and the primary markets for this revolutionary model will be the Nordic countries and North America.