Nokian unveils “world’s first” temperature-adaptive studded winter tire

Nokia, Finland – Nokian Tyres has launched what it describes as the “world’s first” studded winter tire that automatically adapts to changes in temperature.

Introducing an “entirely new” type of studded winter tire, the new Hakkapeliitta 01 uses what the company calls “on-demand grip” enabled by “double action stud technology,” said Nokian 2 March.

According to the Finnish tire maker, the studs automatically switch between “on-mode” and “off-mode” depending on temperature conditions.

The concept builds on Nokian Tyres’ long-standing winter tire development, particularly the concept of a winter tire with “retractable studs”, first presented in 2014.

To ‘realise’ the technology, Nokian said it has been working on “thousands of prototype tires in a wide array of conditions, from indoor labs and urban areas" as well as its Arctic test centre in Ivalo, Finland and Hakka Ring test facility in Spain.

“This new winter tire achieves what was previously thought impossible: a studded tire that responds to temperature changes to deliver ultimate safety while protecting the road,” said president and CEO Paolo Pompei.

The Hakkapeliitta 01, said Pompei, is “one of our company’s biggest innovations” since the launch of its first winter tire more than 90 years ago.

Under colder conditions, “Studmode on” is designed to provide maximum grip on ice and snow.

In milder temperatures, “Studmode off” reduces the studs’ road contact, aiming to improve handling precision on bare roads and limit road surface wear.

Nokian Tyres said the new technology reduces road wear by up to 30% compared with its predecessor, while improving ice grip by up to 10% and wet grip by up to 5%.

Noise levels are reduced by up to one decibel through what the company described as a “noise-optimised stud design” and “SilentDrive Technology”.

Development manager Mikko Liukkula said the company sought to avoid the traditional trade-off between ice grip and road wear.

“Instead of a compromise, we developed a solution where grip adjusts automatically to the temperature, delivering maximum safety when it’s needed, and more controlled, gentler road contact when it’s not,” he said.

The approach, he added, is intended to help drivers cope with less predictable winter weather and emerging regulations related to tires’ impact on road surfaces.

The tread compound incorporates renewable and bio-based materials, including natural rubber, bio resins and bio-based oils derived from pine resin and canola oil.

The Hakkapeliitta 01 range is designed for passenger cars, crossovers and sport utility vehicles and carries the 'three-peak mountain snowflake and ice grip certifications.'

The tires are produced at Nokian Tyres’ factory in Nokia, Finland, with commercial availability scheduled for autumn 2026.

The main target markets are the Nordic countries and North America.