Nokian Hakkapeliitta is the best winter tyre in the autumn comparison tests

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyre has won several Finnish, Swedish and Russian car magazines' comparison tests this autumn. This top tyre of magazine tests has been especially praised for the basic qualities of a good winter tyre: excellent winter grip and pleasant, stable and sensitive driving response.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 was the best winter tyre in the comparison tests of Tekniikan Maailma and Tuulilasi. According to Tekniikan Maailma (17/2010), the Nokian tyre is in a league of its own when it comes to winter grip. "Ten out of ten points for every ice test speaks for itself. This tells us what kinds of conditions the tyre is designed for. In addition to the great grip, the tyre also has magnificent driving properties. It is stable yet suitably responsive on ice and snow," compliments the Tekniikan Maailma review. The magazine tested a total of 14 studded and 8 studless winter tyres in the size category 205/55 R16.

"The Hakkapeliitta 7 provides the best grip on ice, but it was not among the very best tyres in the snow grip measurements. The tyre maintains grip for a very long time, even when the car is already sliding sideways," writes Tuulilasi (13/2010) in its report for the test that comprised 7 studded and 2 studless winter tyres in the size category 205/55 R16.

Top test positions also in Sweden and Russia

Crowned with the title of 'ice champion', the Hakkapeliitta 7 also came out on top in a test by Sweden's biggest car magazine Vi Bilägare (14/2010) that included eight studded tyres in the size category 205/55 R16.

"The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is the ice champion. It is a winner both in terms of braking grip and starting on ice. This tyre offers special driving because it allows quite extensive skidding without losing control at any time. In rough driving on snow, the tyre behaves as well as on ice: it eventually skids but in a controlled manner. Even four-wheel skidding can be controlled without problems. The tyre also behaves similarly in extreme situations on wet surfaces – the skidding begins softly, which enables the driver to slow down speed and remain in control. Nokian is the best winter tyre," states Vi Bilägare.

The Hakkapeliitta 7 also achieved first place in the studded tyre comparison of Za Rulem, the biggest Russian car magazine (10/2010). The tyre size tested was 205/55 R16. According to Za Rulem, the Hakkapeliitta 7 was the best tyre both in terms of accelerating and grip on snow and ice. It was also complimented for good steering properties and traction. In a comparison of 14" studded tyres by the same magazine, the Hakkapeliitta 7 shared first place.

"The best longitudinal grip properties on ice and lateral grip properties on packed snow. There are no surprises for the driver when braking or accelerating in corners," Za Rulem (9/2010) writes. In addition, the Hakkapeliitta 7 had the best rolling resistance at all speeds. According to the magazine, the Hakkapeliitta 7 can be called the most economical tyre with very low fuel consumption.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R provides convincing grip on ice and breaks records with its low rolling resistance

The studless winter tyre, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R, achieved a victory in Vi Bilägare's friction tyre test (13/2010). "All in all, this is a good tyre," the magazine sums up.

"The Nokian brakes well and it is easy to start moving in snow. But, above all, the Hakkapeliitta R is safe in snow. It provides an accurate response when driving, accelerating and braking. It brakes well on ice, enables an easy start and features supreme driving properties. The Nokian tyre performs excellently in slush and has good driving properties on dry asphalt as well. Its fuel consumption is the lowest of the tyres tested. All in all, the Hakkapeliitta R friction tyre has balanced driving properties, and the tyre functions well on all surfaces," says Vi Bilägare.

Second place in the same test went to the Nokian Nordman RS friction tyre. "Consistent and light to drive on snow-covered winter roads," writes Vi Bilägare. The magazine tested eight studless winter tyres in the size category 205/55/R16.

The Hakkapeliitta R was also the best friction tyre in a test by the Russian Za Rulem magazine (10/2010). It has the best longitudinal grip properties on snow and good lateral grip properties on packed snow, Za Rulem sums up. The magazine estimates the Hakkapeliitta R to be the best and most economical tyre for snowy and icy roads.

In a comparison by Tekniikan Maailma (17/2010), the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R achieved a shared second place. "The Nokian is the best friction tyre on the market for icy roads," TM reports. The magazine further states that the Hakkapeliitta R is a quiet tyre that deserves a special mention for the lowest rolling resistance in the test.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R has had the lowest rolling resistance in all comparison tests carried out in 2009 and 2010. Light rolling corresponds to lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Compared to its competitors, the Hakkapeliitta R’s low rolling resistance reduces fuel consumption by as much as 0.5l/100 km.

Winter tyre tests, autumn 2010

Tekniikan Maailma (17/2010), Finland

Studded tyres, size: 205/55 R16
1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Continental ContiIceContact
3. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo

Friction tyres, size: 205/55 R16
1. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R and Continental ContiVikingContact 5

Tuulilasi (13/2010), Finland

Studded tyres, size: 205/55 R16
1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo and Pirelli WinterCarving Edge

Vi Bilägare (13/2010 and 14/2010), Sweden

Studded tyres, size: 205/55 R16
1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo, Continental Ice Contact, Gislaved Nord Frost 5, Goodyear Ultra Grip Extreme and Pirelli WinterCarving Edge

Friction tyres, size: 205/55 R16
1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Nokian Nordman RS
3. Gislaved SoftFrost 3 and Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+

Za Rulem (09/2010 and 10/2010), Russia

Studded tyres, size: 205/55 R16
1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Michelin X-Ice North 2
3. Gislaved NordFrost 5

Friction tyres, size: 205/55 R16
1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Bridgestone Blizzak WS 60
3. Michelin X-Ice 2

Studded tyres, size: 175/65 R14
1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 and Michelin X-Ice North 2
3. Pirelli WinterCarving Edge

More information:

Nokian Tyres plc
Teppo Huovila, Vice President, R&D, tel. +358 10 401 7701
teppo.huovila(at)nokiantyres.com