Winter tires first earned recognition in their homeland — Finland. Local drivers quickly realized how much better special winter tires are compared to regular ones. Interestingly, the effectiveness of such tires was also noted by the military. Before the start of the Soviet-Finnish War, Nokian managed to produce 20,000 Hakkapeliitta tires in six different sizes, which were used on military vehicles.
However, the real fame of Nokian winter tires came in the 50s. During that period, Finnish drivers began consistently winning international winter rallies, including the famous Monte Carlo competition and other races. Cars with Kometa Hakkapeliitta studded tires proved invincible on snowy and icy mountain tracks.
The success of Finnish racers, nicknamed "Flying Finns," spurred interest in winter tires, and soon they gained popularity worldwide. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter series has been produced at the Finnish factory for 75 years.
One of the latest developments of Nokian Tyres — Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 — thanks to unique studding technology, provides unprecedented grip on ice and snow.
The special stud design and a number of other improvements enhance traction on winter roads, making driving safer and more comfortable. Leading positions in tests by automotive publications in Finland and other Scandinavian countries serve as further confirmation of the outstanding qualities of this winter tire.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 has on average 50% more studs than its predecessor, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7. At the same time, thanks to updated studding technology, the new product treats the road surface more gently than earlier versions. Low fuel consumption and reduced noise complement the tire's environmental benefits.
The thoughtful placement of studs and the Nokian Eco Stud 8 technology demonstrate excellent winter characteristics: confident braking and acceleration, increased wear resistance, and pleasant handling.
On March 9, 2013, Nokian Tyres test driver Janne Laitinen set a new world speed record on ice. Behind the wheel of an Audi RS6 on a 12-kilometer ice track in the Gulf of Bothnia near the Finnish city of Oulu, he accelerated to 335.713 km/h. This result was made possible by the exceptional grip provided by Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 studded tires.
In the near future, AvtoPortal will share impressions of the new winter tires Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV, Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3, and Nokian Nordman 5, which we got acquainted with in Finland. Then we were also shown unusual tires with retractable studs for the first time:
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