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With more than 120 years of company history, Nokian Tires is one of the traditional premium tire manufacturers. The production of tires for passenger cars began in 1932, and in 1934 the Finns invented the first winter tire with the Hakkapeliitta tire. The tires, which are practically available worldwide and are tailored to the specific requirements of the region, are produced in one plant in Nokia, Finland, and one near Saint Petersburg. This month, Nokian’s third tire plant in Dayton, Tennessee also started regular series production. In the plant located 40 kilometers north of Chattanooga, the Finns want to meet the demand from North America and take advantage of opportunities on the all-season and all-weather tire market. The Finns also want to grow in the Central European market - which does not include Scandinavia and Russia - and are deliberately breaking new ground with the new ultra-high-performance winter tire Snowproof P.
Fewer high-speed talents, more winter resistance when NOKIAN Snowproof P
During Predecessor WR A4 shone with high-speed talents at speeds of more than 200 km / h, it fell down in winter suitability. But Nokian knows that Almost 60 percent of its drivers surveyed from Central Europe consider the day-to-day reliability of specialized winter tires to be the most important safety equipment for a car in the winter months. That is why the Finns have now separated from the asymmetrical tread pattern in the new Snowproof P, whose sturdy outer shoulder is traditionally a guarantee for dynamic cornering, but which fails in snow and slush.
NOKIAN Snowproof P: Change from asymmetrical to symmetrical tread pattern
With the recently direction-dependent symmetrical tread pattern, functional transverse and longitudinal grooves maximize the contact area between the tire and the road, which improves steering and steering precision. A dense lamination and connected grooves should help to effectively displace water and slush between the tire and the road. Polished grooves also accelerate the removal of water and support when driving in the rain. The new developed “Alpine Performance Compound” rubber compound also contributes to liability.
The “white hell” from Ivalo guarantees more than 200 days of frost each year
In the "Ivalo Testing Center" by Nokian Tires in the town of the same name with the northernmost commercial airport in Finland Winter tires put through their paces. This area of more than 300 hectares, which was developed in the mid-eighties, extends 700 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle with more than 100 kilometers of test tracks. The test drivers, who are also involved in the development, cover over 40 kilometers each year for testing in more than 000 test cycles. In the test area, also known as the "White Hell", more than 20 days with frost temperatures guarantee first-class test conditions. The test site in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain, about 000 kilometers from Madrid, which will open at the end of 200, will enable a year-round test of summer, winter and all-season tires.
With 420 hp dance on the ice
But today we ask an Audi RS4 with the new Nokian shoes to waltz out on the mighty, thickly frozen lake in the “White Hell”. On the handling course, the 420 hp alone are of no use. To move forward smoothly and swiftly, you need a lot of feeling on the harsh snow, under which it now glistens suspiciously in the sun. Turn in at the right places, brake sharply, apply strong pressure with your right foot and the dance on the ice begins. Snow claws between the tread blocks and in the shoulder areas of the Snowproof P ensure a balanced grip, especially when braking and accelerating. “It has to be a bit of fun”, grins instructor Kari and lets the physics run free after pressing the ESP button. For a moment the tires and the driver lose their grip, aHow should you keep it even if the surface is shiny? Only the interaction of electronics and rubber can offer security in such extreme situations.
Balanced and safe driving experience with the NOKIAN Snowproof P
The test run with three identically motorized VW Golfs, equipped with different sets of Nokian tires: a set of summer tires and the two winter tires Hakkapeliitta R3 and Snowproof P shows just how much safety winter tires offer on winter surfaces. After just a few meters on the slalom it quickly becomes clear how much tires can completely change the driving experience. With the two winter tires, the Golf accelerates smoothly, can be precisely circled around the poles and always looks manageable even when accelerating and braking hard. With the summer tires, our test vehicle quickly drifts into helpless and uncontrollable drift despite ESP, although the speedometer shows a maximum of 40 km / h.
Profile depth and snowflake indicators visualize degree of wear
The Nokian Snowproof P, available from autumn 2020, will be available in the speed categories H (210 km / h), V (240 km / h) and W (270 km / h) with sizes from 17 to 21 inches. Like all winter tires from Nokian Tires, the Snowproof P also shows the tread depth indicator and the snowflake winter safety indicator quickly and easily how far it has traveled. Numbers in the middle of the tread allow conclusions to be drawn about how much tread the tire still has. These disappear according to the wear of the profile. The snowflake symbolizes winter security. It remains visible until only 4 millimeters of profile depth remain. When the snowflake is gone, the driver should think about buying new winter tires.