Goodyear and Nokian have both introduced new tires this week. Here’s everything you need to know.
Nokian replaces the Hakkapelitta 8
Nokian came out with the Hakkapeliitta 8 tire line back in 2013. Now, four years later, they’re replacing it with the Hakkapeliitta 9 and the Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV.
A new rubber compound, coupled with a new tire structure and tread pattern, as well as new stud technology makes the Hakkapeliitta 9 line a significant improvement over the 8. Both flavors of the Hakkapeliitta 9 will be available Fall this year.
The Hakkapeliitta 9 from Nokian Tyres.
The Hakkapeliitta 9 tire line is a winter tire featuring the new Nokian Tyres Functional Stud Concept using two designs of studs on the tire. Nokian’s Functional Stud Concept consists of two different types of studs specialized for the type of grip they provide. Longitudinal grip is provided by a center row of bevelled studs. Lateral grip is enhanced by the inclusion of a row of bevelled studs on the shoulder of the tire. Stud bevelling ensures that the studs dig into the ice better. An air cushion between the studs and the tire help deliver a quieter, more comfortable ride by isolating the studs from the tire.
Here’s a closer look:
The stud design on the Hakkapeliitta 9.
Tommi Heinone, president of Nokian Tyres North America said: “As we’ve seen during the past few months, the snow and ice of winter results in dangerous driving conditions on the roads. Leveraging 80 years and millions of miles driven on Hakkapeliittas, our team developed the safest, most comfortable winter tire that we can’t wait to bring to drivers throughout North America.”
The Hakkapeliitta tires will come in 52 sizes fitting wheels from 14 to 20 inches in diameter. The tires will fit most family cars as well as many sporty vehicles and carry an XL load rating for maximum load capacity.
The Hakkapeliitta 9 will come in 51 different sizes for wheels from 16 to 21 inches. The sidewalls of these tires will feature the Aramid Sidewall Technology that strengthens the tire’s sidewalls. Several of the Hakkapeliitta 9 tires also feature run flat technology.
Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV tire.
Goodyear comes out with a trailer tire made in the U.S.A.
Americans prefer their tires “made in the U.S.A.” This is truer today than in the recent past.
Goodyear has answered this call with the introduction of a line of the locally manufactured Endurance trailer tire. And here it is:
Goodyear introduces the Endurance, their first specialty trailer tire made in the U.S.A.
The Goodyear Endurance features Goodyear’s Durawall Technology that resists cuts and punctures to the sidewall. The tires, which come in Load Ranges D and E for maximum load capacity, are built with an “N” speed rating, allowing them to be used at regular highway speeds. The Endurance is available in all standard trailer sizes, as well as ST255/85/R16, which is unique to Goodyear and this tire.
To help dissipate heat under heavy loads, the tires have an optimized tread depth as well as decoupling grooves. Other features include scuff guards to protect the sidewalls, special inner liners to reduce air loss, and a rugged construction using fabric and steel to deliver improved durability and load capacity. The tires are also compatible with inflation monitoring systems and can be inflated at any tire inflation station.
Goodyear helps drivers get ‘WeatherReady’
Goodyear’s Assurance WeatherReady tire.
Goodyear also announced the introduction of their Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady line of tires. The tires are available in numerous sizes fitting wheels from 15 to 20 inches and will fit over 77 percent of the cars, minivans, and SUVs on the road today.
These include:
• Toyota Camry, Highlander, and Corolla
• Ford’s Escape, Edge, and Explorer
• Honda’s CR-V, Civic, and Accord
• Chevrolet’s Equinox and Cruze
• Altima and Rogue from Nissan
• Santa Fe and Sonata from Hyundai
Ryan Patterson, Goodyear’s North American consumer tire business president, said: “The all-season Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is our best traction tire ever. It was developed in partnership with our customers, to satisfy the needs of their consumers. Throughout its design process, we engaged with our customers, collaborating on performance requirements, product appearance, and other features.”
The WeatherReady features Goodyear’s Weather Reactive Technology that contains Evolving Traction Grooves to help the tire provide “like-new” grip as it wears. 3D TredLock Technology Blades let the tire deliver traction that’s predictable when the weather changes. An asymetric tread pattern gives the tire all-weather traction and sweeping tread grooves give drivers confidence on wet roads by forcing the water to the sides. For improved grip on snow and ice, Goodyear also designed the WeatherReady with zigzag biting edges.
