Nokian Tires recently announced that they will be adding some new products to their legendary Hakkapeliitta and WR tire lines in 2013.

Nokian WR-G3

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

Cryo-Crystal Compound

The Hakkapeliitta Tires line, which is known for its exceptional winter performance and safety, gained a new member called the Hakkapeliitta R2 tires. Though North America will not be seeing the SUV version until next year, the passenger tire is available in many sizes already. The tire boasts superior handling and rolling resistance to its predecessor, with improved compounding and dense shoulder siping. The newly redesigned compound contains millions of sharp particles called "Cryo Crystals" that are designed to increase traction on snow and ice. The directional tread design of the R2 is similar to the Hakkapeliiitta R tires, but Nokian expects to see at least a 20% improvement over the previous model.  

The WR tire line boasts a winter rating for safety in snow and ice conditions while maintaining the year-round versatility of an all-weather tire. With the newest addition of the WR-G3 tire, you really can "forget the forecast". The tread pattern will remain asymmetric in most common sizes (it will be directional in smaller and less popular sizes) and will maintain the high performance speed ratings as well. The WR-G3 is designed to have excellent preventative slush and aquaplaning properties, a large concern for an all-weather product. Nokian's "silent sidewall technology" is also making its debut with the WR-G3 tires. The technology will greatly reduce vibration in the bead area, making the tires much quieter at higher speeds. 

Vredestein Unveils Futuristic Tread Depth Measuring System

Apollo Vredestein has unveiled an ultra-modern tread depth measuring station at its facilities in Enschede, Netherlands. The goal of the new unit is to make visitors more aware of the importance of having the correct tread depth in terms of both their safety and the environment. 
It is common knowledge that tires with too little tread can lead to dangerous situations, especially during rain or snow. However, many drivers are unaware of the specific tread depth required by law, and the recommended replacement depth.

The legal limit is 2/32 of an inch. Drivers with less tread than 2/32 can be issued a citation. Most tire professionals recommend replacing tires with less than 4/32 of an inch of tread remaining. Adequate tread depth is especially on wet or snowy roads.

The laser tread depth measuring station was developed by Procontour for police applications and large car fleets. It measures the tread depth with a laser whenever a car drives over a grid with measurement tools in the road surface. The system is capable of performing 35,000 measurements a minute and gives accurate figures at speeds of up to 120 km/h. It is equipped with a sensor and compressor that ensure that the grid is blown clean whenever a car approaches to allow the laser to take measurements. A matrix sign then indicates the tread depth of the tire with the least tread. In the long term Apollo Vredestein aims to use the system at the facilities of business partners and at large events or locations that feature a large number of cars.

The ultimate goal of the Procontour system is to promote safe and educated driving. It is a definite possibility that tread depth measuring systems like these could become more widely used in the United States within a few years.  

The King of Hammers

ATX Wheels are designed to meet the needs of outdoor and off-road enthusiasts alike. They are thoroughly tested for the strength and durability that customers have come to expect from the ATX Brand. They are the first and only wheel manufacturer to offer Teflon coated wheels. A Teflon coating is intended to resist dirt build up and makes clean-up much easier. With almost 25,000 retailers worldwide, ATX Brand has amassed a large following among off-road enthusiasts everywhere.

The King of Hammers takes place during the first nine days of February in the town of Johnson Valley, California. The dry lake bed is temporarily transformed into a 20,000 person city called "Hammertown". ATX has been a proud sponsor and the official wheel of the Ultra4 race team for many years, so long there is a street in Hammertown named "ATX Avenue".

The King of Hammers event includes a combined challenge of desert sprint and technical rock crawl; the ultimate test of man and machine. Nearly 200 teams are expected to compete for the fastest time through the course. The race can last over 10 hours and takes place of 180 miles of impossibly rocky terrain.

The History of the Hakkapeliitta

For over seventy-six years, the Hakkapeliitta line of tires from Nokian have produced a long standing legacy of exceptional winter performance. Since its inception in 1936, the Hakkapeliitta tires have offered outstanding driving performance and safety.
In 2011, Nokian celebrated the 75 year anniversary of the first Hakkapeliitta tire. To commemorate the event, they created an excellent online resource which highlights important events in the history of the Hakkapeliitta tire line.
You can see it here, at www.hakkapeliitta75.com.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta Driving School

Nokian has been producing the safest and best performing winter tires that money can buy for decades. With roots dating back to 1932, safety has always been a top priority for Nokian. 

Even with expensive snow tires, there are still many things that the average motorist might not know about safety when it comes to winter driving. The Hakkapeliitta Driving School is an excellent resource for all types of driver. Whether you're a novice, intermediate or expert driver, you are sure to learn something new at the Hakkapeliitta Driving School. 

The Winter Driving School provides instructions for setting up your car in the winter, and for surviving different driving conditions, on icy roads as well as during snowfall or freezing weather. Speed is very important, for example. When driving on slippery roads, you should remember that doubling your speed will quadruple your braking distance, says Matti Morri, Technical Customer Service Manager from Nokian Tyres.

The Winter Driving School illustrates information through videos and texts. Finally, it allows you to test your knowledge of winter driving with a quiz. Even those who feel confident as winter drivers should visit the site and see if their knowledge is still up to date. The Winter Driving School will be available in English, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish.

Winter tires have a tendency to give the driver overconfidence of the vehicle's abilities. It is a good idea to test the vehicle's response during inclement weather in a controlled environment. Knowing the limits of your vehicle will allow the driver to adequately adjust their driving habits during winter weather, thus making them a much safer driver.  

Check out the Hakkapeliitta Driving School here and become a safer driver today! 

www.nokiantyres.com/winter-driving-school

(credit to Nokian tires blog @ http://www.nokiantyres.com/media-release?id=30721059&year=2012&group=)

Nokian Rotiiva Receives Top Marks From German Off Road Magazine

A German tire magazine recently completed a thorough review of the new Nokian Rotiiva tire. Their verdict was that overall the tire's performance was "outstanding". It received its highest marks in the "on road performance", "grip", and "value for the money" categories. However, it still received excellent marks in the "off road performance" and "road noise" categories as well.

The article starts by focusing on the versatility of the Rotiiva. This tire is unique in its ability to deliver on-road comfort, off-road traction, and winter performance.
The tires were tested on a Mitsubishi L200, a vehicle weighing nearly one ton. The article explains the tendency of heavier vehicles to "drift" and lose traction when cornering. The grip of the Rotiiva definitively cut down on the amount of drift that the truck encountered, while also delivering superior comfort and minimal road noise.
The article compares the road noise of the Rotiiva to a passenger car tire, which is a remarkable achievement for an all-terrain and winter rated tire.
The Rotiiva's "stone ejector" technology was also tested and approved by the reviewer. The reviewer stated that "the tire's traction on dry terrain is outstanding and any small stones picked up by the tread are immediately thrown off".

Stone ejectors on the bottoms of grooves minimize the penetration of sharp rocks into the tire. The Stone Ejectors further increase the operating life of the tire by preventing tire body damage, especially when driving on uneven surfaces. 

Another feature the article highlights is the unique "cooling fins" that deal with the common problem of overheating which can severely damage tires. These fins essentially drive air through the tread at high speeds, cooling down the tread and protecting the tire. The Cooling ribs on the shoulder area reduce heat generation inside the tire. Lower heat generation means slower wear, more comfortable driving, and more mileage.

Overall, the tire was very well received by the German Automotive magazine. The article states that the "modern, top of the range tire is worth its high price". The reviewer gives the tire two thumbs up, stating that it is clearly a great investment for someone looking for a tire that does everything well. 

Nokian Rotiiva. 

The new Nokian zLine Tire – a sporty, cool performer for fast driving

Nokian Tires is introducing another new summer tire: The new Nokian zLine Tire – sporty, cool performance for fast driving. The new Nokian zLine summer tire provides a convincing, precise driving feel. This safe new member of the Nokian Tires tire range is pleasantly stable and intended for driving in the varying Central European summer conditions. It excels under extreme conditions and is not afraid of changing road conditions or large changes in temperature. The know-how and latest technology from the world’s northernmost tire manufacturer make the sporty Nokian zLine tire a top product in its class.

The Nokian zLine is designed for fast driving and belongs to the UHP category, the top class for passenger car tires. Its size selection comprises 31 products from 16 to 20 inches, in speed categories W (169 mph) and Y (188 mph). Retail sales of the product will start in Central Europe in the spring of 2013. The Nokian zLine, continuing its strong family traditions, is the successor of the test-winning Nokian Z G2 that recently took first place in the summer tire comparison test of Auto Bild, Europe’s largest motoring magazine, among others. Like its predecessor, the Nokian zLine is versatile and multi-talented. It is unknown whether this product will be released in North America.