Several test wins for Nokian Hakkapeliitta in autumn winter tyre tests

This year, the success story of the 75 year old Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tyre continues. Both studded and non-studded Hakkapeliitta tyres have scored test wins and top placements. This year is no exception, as the studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 and non-studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta R have succeeded well in magazine tests both in Finland and abroad.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 won a test held by Tuulilasi (13/2011). "The 7's best features are balanced driving properties in different conditions. When driving on ice, the tyres even allow for a small mistake and there's still enough grip for correction. Mild oversteering during snow conditions doesn't require correcting, as the slipping straightens itself out", says Tuulilasi. Five 205/55 R16 sized tyres were tested.

In a test held by Tekniikan Maailma (17/2011), the studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 came second. "Nokian represents the absolute peak level of the tyre industry regarding grip on ice and snow. The tyre is excellent to drive, steers impeccably on grip limits, even during sliding and in extreme conditions control is easy. For those wanting the best possible winter grip, Nokian is the number one choice for winter", summarises Tekniikan Maailma. Ten studded 205/55 R16 tyres were tested.

Test wins also in Sweden, Russia and Ukraine

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 also won the studded tyre test of Vi Bilägare (13/2011), the largest car magazine in Sweden. "Nokian brakes on the ice best and gives extremely good grip when starting off. The tyre's grip is excellent and it is easy and neutral to drive both in normal conditions and on the grip limit. Nokian also retains grip very well in slush, and driving properties are balanced and peaceful also on dry road", writes Vi Bilägare. The magazine tested 13 205/55 R16 studded tyres.

In a winter tyre test by the Ukrainian AutoCentre magazine (40/2011), Nokian tyres achieved a triple win, as not only Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 but also Nokian Hakkapeliitta R and Nokian WR D3 scored a smashing win. "The studded tyre Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 steers excellently and gives the best braking and accelerating grip on ice", writes AutoCentre, which tested seven 185/65 R14 sized studded tyres.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 came joint first in a test by the Russian AutoReview magazine (18/2011). "The tyre's longitudinal grip on ice is fantastic and driving properties on snow are ideal. In deep snow the tyre is in a league of its own, the tyre's tread pattern works brilliantly and it moves snow out of the grooves well", AutoReview writes. Nine studded R16 tyres size 215/65 were tested.

In a test by another Swedish magazine, Aftonbladet BIL (8/2011), Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 grabbed second place. "The number one choice for those wanting the best possible winter grip. The tyre is extremely easy and safe to drive and it managed excellently in extreme conditions. The tyre's rolling resistance is also low", evaluated Aftonbladet BIL, which tested ten 205/55 R16 sized studded tyres.

In a test by the Norwegian Motor magazine (5.10.2011), Nokian Hakkapeliitta came second. "The tyre's driving properties on ice and snow are excellent. The tyre's braking, accelerating and lateral grip is very good. All in all, extremely safe driving properties", states Motor, which tested 10 205/55 R16 sized tyres.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R is the ice champion of non-studded winter tyres

The non-studded winter tyre Nokian Hakkapeliitta R won the Tuulilasi (12/2011) test. "Nokian is at its strongest on ice and in snow. Its best features are balanced driving qualities and good grip in different driving situations. With Hakkapeliitta R, it is possible to correct even after slipping has begun", writes Tuulilasi, which tested five non-studded winter tyres sized 205/55 R16.

The tyre also won the Swedish Vi Bilägare magazine's (14/2011) test. "Nokian Hakkapeliitta R is an extremely good winter tyre, which also manages adequately in wet and dry weather. Excellent driving qualities on ice and equally superior in snow. Not even slush causes problems for the tyre and it gives good protection against aquaplaning", Vi Bilägare states. The magazine tested ten 205/55 R16 sized non-studded winter tyres.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R gained reputation in Russia, too, where it won a test by Za Rulem (18/2011). "On a snowy road, the directional stability of these tyres is best, the tyre reacts fast and predictably. During bends they behave best, they distinguish themselves from other tyres with precise reaction and stable driving", writes Za Rulem. There were six 175/65 R14 sized tyres tested.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R also won the Ukrainian AutoCentre magazine's (40/2011) friction tyre test. "The tyre gives a unique grip on the ice, in several parts of the test the grip was just as good as studded tyres. The tyre steers lightly and in a balanced way", writes the magazine, which tested five 185/65 R14 sized friction tyres.

In Tekniikan Maailma's (17/2011) test, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R gained second place. "Nokian works well on an icy road and brilliantly in snow. The tyre is easy to control and steers well on the best grip limit and returns easily from extreme situations. The tyre is quiet and its rolling resistance is the lowest of the entire test", says TM. Nine non-studded tyres size 205/65 R16 were used in the test.

In the Swedish Aftonbladet BIL magazine's test, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R came in joint second. "Grip and driving qualities on ice and snow are both logical and balanced. The tyre's rolling resistance is the lowest of the test", concludes Aftonbladet BIL, which tested nine non-studded 205/55 R16 winter tyres.

In a test by the Norwegian Motor magazine (5.10.2011), Nokian Hakkapeliitta R came second. "Extremely safe non-studded tyre. Its grip on snow is even better than that of many studded winter tyres. The lowest rolling resistance saves fuel", Motor writes. Nine 205/55 R16 tyres took part in the test.

Test wins for Central European non-studded tyres

A non-studded winter tyre designed for winter conditions in Central Europe, the Nokian WR D3, has also gained reputation in magazine tests. In a test by Swedish Aftonbladet BIL (8/2011), the tyre was the best Central European friction tyre. "The tyre is by far the best non-studded Central European winter tyre. For a Central European tyre it has good grip on ice and snow, low rolling resistance". The magazine tested ten Central European non-studded winter tyres in the size category 205/55/R16.

Nokian WR D3 also won a test carried out by the Ukrainian AutoCentre magazine. "The tyre's rubber compound is so unique that in some parts of the test, the tyre's grip was even better than that of friction tyres developed for Nordic conditions. The tyre's driving qualities are also extremely good on dry asphalt", writes the magazine, which tested eight tyres sized 185/65 R14.

The Nokian WR D3 also came second in a test by Swedish Teknikens Värld magazine (20/2011). "Excellent balance between winter weather and dry asphalt driving properties. An excellent tyre". The magazine tested six 205/55 R16 sized Central European non-studded winter tyres.

"Extremely recommendable", wrote the German car magazines Auto, Motor und Sport and Auto Zeitung in their winter tyre tests of the Nokian WR D3 tyre. Each magazine gave the tyre praise for its good grip on snow and dry asphalt.

Winter tyre tests autumn 2011

Tekniikan Maailma (17/2011), Finland

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental ContiIceContact
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
3. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Michelin X-Ice X12
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
3. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+

Tuulilasi (12/13/2011), Finland

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo
3. Continental ContiIceContact

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+
3. Michelin X-Ice

Vi Bilägare (13/14/2011), Sweden

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Bridgestone Noranza 2 EVO
3. Continental ContiIceContact

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Michelin X-Ice 2
3. Continental VIkingContact5

Teknikens Värld (20/2011), Sweden

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental ContiIceContact
2. Michelin X-Ice north
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental ContiVikingContact 5
2. Goodyear Ultragrip Ice+
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

Central European friction tyres, size 205/55/ R16

1. Continental ContiWinterContact TS830
2. Nokian WR D3
3. Goodyear Ultragrip 8

Aftonbladet BIL (8/2011), Sweden

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental ContiIceContact
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
3. Pirelli Winter Carving Edge

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Michelin X-Ice X12
2. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

Central European friction tyres, size 205/55/ R16

1. Nokian WR D3
2. Continental ContiWinterContact TS830
3. Michelin Alpin A4

Motor (5.10.2011), Norway

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental Conti Ice Contact
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
3. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Michelin X-Ice XI2
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
3. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+

Za Rulem (18/2011), Russia

Friction tyres, size 175/65 R14

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Continental ContiVikingContact 5
3. Michelin X-Ice X12

AutoReview (18/2011), Russia

Studded tyres, size 205/65 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Continental ContileContact 4x4
3. Gislaved Nord Frost 5

AutoCentre, Ukraine

Studded tyres, size 185/65 R14

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Continental Conti Ice Contact
3. Michelin X-Ice North

Friction tyres, size 185/65 R14

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Continental ContiVikingContact 5
3. Nokian Nordman RS

Central European friction tyres, size 185/65 R14

1. Nokian WR D3
2. Continental ContiWinterContact TS800
3. Maxxis Presa Snow

Pictures:
www.nokiantyres.com/Hakkapeliitta7
www.nokiantyres.com/HakkapeliittaR

For further information, please contact: Nokian Tyres plc

Juha Pirhonen, Development Manager, tel. +358 10 401 7708
juha.pirhonen(at)nokiantyres.com

www.nokiantyres.com/
Nokian winter tyre is “very recommendable” in tests