Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

The new Hakkapeliitta R2 Nordic winter tire is the number one choice for drivers who value unique driving comfort and greener motoring, as it offers substantial fuel savings and lower carbon dioxide emissions. The extremely low rolling resistance is over 5% lower than that of the predecessor Hakkapeliitta R, which already crushed the competition with its superior fuel efficiency.
 
Furthermore, the safety characteristics of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 on ice, snow, and wet roads were fine-tuned using a new-generation rubber compound, a tailored tread model, and the Cryo Crystal concept. The improved winter grip is especially evident on slippery ice, where the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 takes over 10 metres less to stop from a main road speed of 80 km/h than the Hakkapeliitta R, which is already known for its excellent grip on ice.
 

The Cryo Crystal concept boosts the optimal lateral and longitudinal grip of the new tyre. Diamond-tough grip particles that have the appearance of a multi-edged crystal act almost like built-in studs, improving the tyre’s grip on ice. They grip the driving surface, providing sharp and tough grip edges. As the tyre wears down, the eco-friendly crystals that have been evenly divided into the tread surface come up and activate a grip reserve.
 

The rubber compound of this new product creates exceptional grip on ice, snow, and wet roads, and excellent wear resistance under varying conditions.
 
The new cryo silane based winter silica compound that was developed for the grip surface of the Hakkapeliitta R2 works safely both on wet roads and dangerous black ice. Rapeseed oil acts as the catalyst in the cryogenic silane compound developed for low temperatures; it links the silica and natural rubber to work together seamlessly. Rapeseed oil brings tear strength to the tyre, increasing its durability, and improves grip on snow and ice.
 
The proportion of natural rubber has been significantly increased in the Hakkapeliitta R2. It has a decisively positive effect on winter grip under extreme conditions, since natural rubber is stable across a wide temperature range. The tread compound remains flexible under all conditions, and the sipes on the tread blocks work actively, regardless of the variations in grip level and temperature.
 

The aggressive tread pattern is covered by a denser sipe mesh. Wider individual sipes provide much-needed grip surface, especially when friction is at its lowest on wet ice.
 
The grip claws located between the tread blocks improve grip on snow and ice, especially while braking and accelerating.
 
To prevent slush-planing, sharp triangle-shaped slush penetrators were designed on the critical shoulder area. The slush claws on the shoulder area allow for optimal grip even in thick slush, and prevent the accumulation of slush between the tread blocks.
 

The shoulder tread blocks of the non-studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 have pocket-type sipes that pump water out of the road surface, ensuring a firm contact with the surface. The increased volume of the patented pump sipes and the large number of zigzag sipes further improve grip on wet and icy surfaces.
 
Sipe activators on the tyre’s shoulder area and centre surface ensure driving safety under rapidly changing conditions, as a wider sipe opens up a narrower one and creates additional grip in situations where the feel for the road is nearly non-existent.
 

The unified centre rib of the new directional tread pattern with a fixed rolling direction improves driving stability. A bound centre section ensures safe driving. It also works towards a more even wear pattern, providing added safety as the tyre ages. Winter tyres installed on driving wheels will most likely wear out in the centre area first.
 
Together with the tread compound, the multi-layered structure means that the tyre will not sway, but instead will handle firmly regardless of changes in weather. The precise handling also helps the driver to observe any changes in the level of friction, and to react on time. The block geometry of the tread pattern also improves handling on roads with deep grooves.
 

The patented Driving Safety Indicator (DSI) displays the remaining amount of tread surface in numbers. The snow flake symbol on the Winter Safety Indicator (WSI) remains visible to a groove depth of four millimetres; once it wears out, the driver should purchase new winter tyres to ensure sufficient safety.
 
The information area on the sidewall provides added comfort and safety, as it can be used to record the correct inflation pressure and installation location. Furthermore, the new section can be used to record the tightening torque of bolts for alloy rims.