Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 Winter Tire Wins Tire technology of the year 2016 Award

Nokian Tyres, the Finnish tire manufacturer won the coveted Tire technology of the year 2016 award for its Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 winter tire.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 is a tire that has been designed for winter conditions an was customized as the OE fitment for BMW’s pathbreaking i3 electric car The most notable feature of the tire is that it effectively combines very low rolling resistance with a first-class grip, and provides outstanding driving comfort. The tire is available in size 155/70R19 88Q XL and this new addition to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta range represents the future direction of tire technology. It is the first winter tire in the world to win an A energy rating according to EU tire labels. Tests that were performed proved that the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 tire can reduce the rolling resistance of electric vehicles by as much as 30%.

One of the paramount concerns of those who use electric cars is the range, especially in cold conditions, which can affect the performance of the battery. Hence, it is crucial for a tire to have low rolling resistance in order to get the maximum possible range. On the other hand it is essential to have high levels of grip to tackle slippery, snowy roads. According to Graham Heeps, editor, Tire Technology International magazine and chairman of the judging panel Nokian’s Hakkapeliitta R2 tire provides low levels of rolling resistance without any compromise when it comes to excellent grip in winter weather and this made the tire a worthy recipient of the award for the Tire Technology of the Year. Another judge, Joe Walter, adjunct professor, mechanical engineering, University of Akron said, “Nokian’s Hakkapeliitta R2 winter tire is a niche product for a niche vehicle that meets difficult winter tire requirements while not compromising rolling resistance standards. Well done!”

Commenting on the award, Juha Pirhonen, Vice President R&D, Nokian Tyres said that the company was proud that it could offer the top-class Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 winter tire to the growing segment of motorists who own electric cars thus giving them more peace of mind, more winter grip, and more range. He added that making transport safer and greener is one of the leading principles of product development for Nokian Tyres and the award marks a significant achievement in the year the company is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

Nokian Tyres is one of the frontrunners in the tire industry, and is known for its range of high-quality products that have been carefully tailored for different markets and different demanding purposes. Over half of the company’s product development budget is spent on testing products to ensure that they confirm to the highest quality standards and are truly roadworthy.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta has proved to be one of the most popular winter tire brands even in markets experiencing the toughest winter conditions. They are manufactured and tested in demanding northern conditions. The company has its own testing center spanning over 700 hectares in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, to the north of the Arctic Circle. There, R&D and testing teams as well as test drivers put tires to the real test. The Ivalo Testing Center simulates winter driving extremes from November to May, both day and night.