Finnish tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres has introduced an innovative winter tire designed to automatically adapt to changing road and temperature conditions. The company’s new Hakkapeliitta 01 tire incorporates retractable metal studs that extend or retract depending on ambient temperature, providing traction on icy surfaces while reducing damage to asphalt during warmer conditions, tells this New Atlas article.
Studded tires have long been valued for their ability to grip snow and ice. The small metal studs embedded in the tread dig into frozen surfaces, helping vehicles maintain traction during acceleration, braking, and cornering. However, these same studs can damage road surfaces and produce excessive noise when driving on bare pavement. Because of this trade-off, many regions restrict or discourage the use of studded tires.
Nokian’s new design attempts to overcome this long-standing compromise. Instead of remaining permanently exposed, the studs in the Hakkapeliitta 01 activate automatically when temperatures drop. This is achieved through an adaptive base layer within the tire’s structure. When temperatures fall below freezing, the material stiffens and pushes the studs outward so they can bite into icy surfaces. When the weather warms, the compound softens, allowing the studs to retract deeper into the tire and reducing their contact with the road.
This temperature-sensitive mechanism allows the tire to perform effectively on both icy and dry roads without requiring manual controls or electronic systems. According to Nokian, the adaptive design can reduce road wear by as much as 30% while improving ice grip by about 10% compared with the company’s earlier studded tire models.
The technology builds on a concept Nokian introduced more than a decade ago and reflects years of research and testing. The finished product is expected to be available in more than 120 sizes suitable for a wide range of vehicles, including passenger cars and SUVs.
By combining temperature-responsive materials with traditional studded traction, the Hakkapeliitta 01 represents a new direction in winter tire engineering. The approach aims to balance safety, environmental impact, and everyday usability in regions where winter driving conditions can shift rapidly.