Nokian Tires has developed new Hakkapeliitta 01 winter tires with temperature-sensitive retractable studs that automatically adjust based on road conditions. The technology represents a significant advancement from their 2014 concept, making retractable studs commercially viable for the first time. The tires were tested extensively at Nokian's Arctic testing facility, demonstrating impressive grip on ice and snow.
Background
Winter tires with studs provide crucial traction on icy roads but damage pavement and create noise on dry surfaces. Automatically retractable studs have been a long-standing challenge in tire engineering, with previous concepts proving too expensive for mass production.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Mar 10, 2026 at 09:28 PM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10