Nokian Unveils Winter Tire 'First'
The new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 features Nokian's On-Demand Grip, provided by the company's Double Action Stud Technology.
"As temperatures change, the studs adjust automatically between on-mode and off," say Nokian officials. "The innovation is the first of its kind in the tire industry, furthering Nokian Tyres’ legacy as a winter driving pioneer.
"The new Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 01 represents one of our company’s biggest product advancements since we introduced the first Hakkapeliitta tire 90 years ago,” says Nokian President and CEO Paolo Pompei. “This new winter tire achieves what was previously thought impossible - a studded tire that responds to temperature changes to deliver ultimate safety while protecting the road.”
Certified with both the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake and Ice Grip symbols, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 "reduces road wear by up to 30% compared to its predecessor," say Nokian officials. "Ice grip improves by as much as 10% and wet grip up to 5%, making the Hakkapeliitta 01 a victory of both safety and sustainability. At the same time, the tire reduces noise levels by as much as one decibel, leading to a quieter and more comfortable ride. These enhancements are designed to reduce uncertainty for consumers who prefer studded tires but are concerned about their road wear or noise."
The tire's responsive stud behavior is achieved through an advanced tire compound. "When the road temperature is at or below freezing, the rubber stays stiff and keeps the studs firmly in place. As the temperature rises and the road surface warms, the compound softens and allows the studs to sink deeper into the tire.
"The groundbreaking stud technology is the realization of a visionary concept Nokian Tyres introduced in 2014: a winter tire with retractable studs. Since then, company experts have worked tirelessly to make the technology a reality, testing thousands of prototype tires in a wide array of conditions, from indoor labs and urban areas to the company’s renowned Arctic test center in Ivalo, Finland, and Hakka Ring test facility in Spain."
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 is built in Finland and is designed for passenger cars, CUVs and SUVs. It will be available for purchase by tire dealers in spring 2026. The product's main markets are North America and Nordic countries.
The tire will be available in 122 sizes, 24 of which come with Nokian's SilentDrive Technology, a layer of acoustic foam between the tire and rim that dampens noise levels. Sizes will cover wheels ranging from 14 inches to 22 inches in diameter.
All sizes but one will be marked XL "for the highest possible load capacity in that size. Every size of the Hakkapeliitta 01 is optimized for use on EVs and certified with the company’s Electric Fit emblem."