Mon September 10 08:52 am 2012 in category Product news
Unique, new summer tyre from Nokian Tyres:

Nokian eLine, utilising future technology, goes straight to the top and achieves an AA rating on the EU’s new tyre label



Nokian Tyres is introducing the Nokian eLine summer tyre. Its fuel efficiency and wet grip are at the top of the new EU tyre label, class A. This display of technological skill from the world’s leading manufacturer of winter tyres is not a concept; it is a state-of-the-art product available to consumers. Size range of new Nokian eLine will be gradually available to consumers during the summer 2013. It is suited for smaller cars, for all drivers who value future solutions, the best fuel efficiency and safe grip properties.

Modern car tyres contain high-end technology and over a hundred different raw materials. They are a complex combination of physics, nanotechnology, and pioneering materials, each with their own exact task.

“We took an entirely new approach to the development of the next-generation tyre. We noticed that rolling resistance and wet grip are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to maximise both properties at the same time, without damaging the balanced entity of the tyre. This has required entirely new structural decisions, changes in tread geometry, and applying modern rubber compound technology,” explains Product Development Manager Juha Pirhonen from Nokian Tyres.

Safety for wet roads



Several technical solutions set the Nokian eLine apart from regular summer tyres. The moment of inertia of this innovative tyre has been significantly reduced, which makes the tyre quick to respond to steering movements. Much like a rotating gyroscope resists toppling over; the moment of inertia tries to resist steering. The Nokian eLine is easy and quick to handle, even in surprising and extreme situations.

The arched tread surface and sturdy belt structure of the Nokian eLine work together seamlessly to produce a stable driving feel. By minimizing acceleration slip at the road contact point, wet grip can be improved, reducing braking distance on rain-slick roads.

The new EU tyre label indicates the tyre's braking distance on wet asphalt from a speed of 80 km/h. For example, the difference between the best class A and the weakest class F in terms of stopping distance can be over 18 metres, or four car lengths. The EU tyre label must be applied to all tyres sold in Europe by November 2012.

Innovations create a green product



The traditional grooves on the Nokian eLine’s outer shoulder have been replaced by sipes. The shape of the pattern blocks also differs from the usual. The pattern block was shortened longitudinally and grown laterally. This divides the load of the Nokian eLine across a larger area, making deformations during driving, or rolling resistance, as small as possible. The cross-section is straighter than on traditional tyre models, which reduces rolling resistance further.

“Reduced heat generation adds to both the structural integrity and the wear resistance of the tread pattern. As we have succeeded in improving the structural integrity, we have also been able to find the best possible solution in terms of rolling resistance,” Pirhonen illustrates.

The rubber compound tailored for demanding use further improves the green nature of the Nokian eLine. This fuel-efficient newcomer quickly reaches its operating temperature. The energy-efficient tyre has low rolling resistance from the very beginning. Rolling resistance amounts to approx. 20 per cent of the vehicle’s fuel consumption. It has a significant effect on the car’s operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions. In the EU tyre label classification, the difference in consumption between the best and weakest tyre (A-G) is significant, at around 0.6 l/100 km.

Technology also used for winter tyres



Nokian Tyres developed the world's first winter tyre for the winter frost in 1934. The company has also been a bold forerunner for eco-friendliness, being the first in the world to start using purified, low aromatic oils in its tyres. The Nokian eLine strengthens the image of the industry pioneer as a developer of innovative, eco-friendly, and best-selling products.

In addition to state-of-the-art safety properties, tyres also need to be economical and comfortable to drive. The new innovations and modern technology benefit all the users of our tyres. For example, the square contact surface of the Nokian eLine, optimised for rolling resistance and wet grip, is also used in Nokian winter tyres.

Photo downloads Nokian eLine summer tyres:
www.nokiantyres.com/NokianeLine

Press contact:
Dr. Falk Köhler PR
Dr. Falk Köhler
Phone: +49 40 54 73 12 12
Fax: +49 40 54 73 12 22
E-mail: Dr.Falk.Koehler(at)Dr-Falk-Koehler.de
Ödenweg 59
22397 Hamburg
Germany

Further information:

Nokian Tyres s.r.o
Business Director Central Europe Dieter Köppner, Phone: +420 222 507 761
E-mail: dieter.koppner(at)nokiantyres.com

Product Development Manager Sven Dittmann, Dipl.-Ing., Tel.: +49 8143 444 850
E-Mail: sven.dittmann(at)nokiantyres.com

Marketing Manager Lukáš Líbal, Tel.: +420 222 507 759
E-mail: lukas.libal(at)nokiantyres.com

Nokian Tyres plc:
Development Manager Juha Pirhonen, Tel.: +358 10 401 7708
E-mail: juha.pirhonen(at)nokiantyres.com

Technical Customer Service Manager Matti Morri, Tel.: +358 10 401 7621
E-Mail: matti.morri(at)nokiantyres.com