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Thu January 24 10:03 am 2008 in category Product news

NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R SUV - NEW FRICTION TYRE FOR SAFE AND ENJOYABLE SUV DRIVING IN THE WINTER


Nordic SUV drivers have been expecting a reliable studless winter tyre for their vehicles. An expert in winter conditions, Nokian Tyres has developed the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV, a tyre with the right character for demanding winter conditions. The novelty in the SUV offering relies on the same innovations as in the passenger car friction tyres. The Hakkapeliitta R SUV is a top product tailored for sports utility vehicles that guarantees pleasant driving all winter.

Managed balance of sturdiness and safety


Thanks to the tread pattern and compound innovations, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV surpasses the standard level of friction tyres’ ice and wet grip. The all-new Nordic rubber compound features a combination of silica and canola oil in addition to natural rubber. This compound improves the tyre’s grip on ice and snow and enhances its tear resistance.

In addition to the winter grip properties, the tyre development efforts focused on driving stability and wet grip. A sturdy and stable driving response is particularly important when driving a big and heavy SUV. An easily detectable grip threshold and an easy-to-feel, precise steering response from the tyres improve control over the car, especially in slippery winter conditions.

The SUV tyres also need durable sidewalls. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV features a strong double-carcass construction tailored for SUV use in all sizes. The tyre sidewalls are made using an extra durable rubber compound with high cut resistance.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV delivers the basic promise of the Hakkapeliitta tyre family: it is a genuine winter tyre for northern conditions. The new SUV Hakkapeliitta functions very well on snow and bare roads. It also has excellent grip in icy and wet conditions.

Low rolling resistance reduces fuel consumption


Nordic friction tyres usually score the lowest ratings in rolling resistance comparisons between tyre types. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV rolls easily, i.e. it has a very low rolling resistance. This reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Like all Nokian Tyres’ products, the new SUV tyre is manufactured with respect for the environment, with no harmful, carcinogenic oils. All plasticiser oils used in the manufacture are purified and harmless.

Size range covers the SUV fleet


Thanks to the most extensive and versatile size offering, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV fits almost all SUVs. There are 17 sizes ranging from 16” to 20”, and most of them are XL-labelled, which means they have sufficient load-bearing capacity, even for heavier SUV models.

The new SUV friction tyre belongs to the speed category R (max 170 km/h). The corresponding competing products are usually rated in the lower Q (max 160 km/h).

Retail sales of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV tyres will begin in the Nordic countries, Russia and other major market regions of Nokian Tyres in the spring of 2008.

For further information: Nokian Tyres plc