Nokian Introduces New Winter Tires

[SubLGT]

Nokian is introducing 3 new winter tires, to be available in 2013. There will be a non-studded Hakka R2, a studded Hakka8, and a non-studded Hakka R2-SUV.

There was no announcement about lowering their prices.

http://www.nokiantyres.com/media-release?id=31231720&year=2013&group=

"............The studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 masters all the elements of winter. Unique stud technology from the inventor of winter tyres brings grip like never before for ice and snow. The design of this next-generation studded Hakkapeliitta tyre is based on the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 that was introduced in 2009........."

"..........Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2, the new non-studded winter tyre, will safely tackle even the trickiest winter conditions. The new innovations maximise the grip of this Nordic non-studded tyre on ice. The new Hakkapeliitta R2 has made a significant leap of progress in this particular field....."

Consumer Reports has reported they will be testing the R2 this year.

 

[Rand]

always good news.

IF I could just find them at a moderate premium I'd own a set.(or 2)

 

[dparm]

Ooh, new Hakka R2...

 

[lyle]

At the very end, new this spring will be the WR G3 for the North American market. This might be interesting for me.

 

[rslifkin]

Hmmm... This switches up my choices for the Jeep for snow tires for next winter. I'd gotten it down to the Michelin xi2 and Blizzak DM-V1 (leaning towards the Blizzaks), but the Hakka R2s will probably be worth checking out unless they carry too much of a price premium. I'd ruled out the old Hakka Rs, as they didn't seem any better than the Blizzaks (based on reviews), and they're $50 more per tire.

 

[bepperb]

Originally Posted By: lyle
At the very end, new this spring will be the WR G3 for the North American market. This might be interesting for me.


Agreed. I hope they can find more widespread distribution, but even if they don't I'd consider these year round on our Sienna.

 

[UG_Passat]

don't count on tirerack. they believe their volume of sales is too much for Nokian to handle.

Discount Tire Direct sells them in limited sizes and models.

www.tiresbyweb.com is an online retailer

 

[SubLGT]

Nokian has created a 1 minute video showing a peek at the R2 and the Hakka8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKqrIBMXo-Y

 

[SubLGT]

From what I can see in the video, the new Hakka R2 has a more aggressive tread design than the R. Should be better in the snow I would predict, but maybe at the price of more tire noise than the R.

 

[sciphi]

The Hakka R is a great snow tire. The set on the Cruze are behaving like good all-seasons on dry/wet roads, and offer tenacious snow/slush grip. The two things I like about them is they're predictable in losing grip, and they communicate how much grip they have very well.

The one downside is that the tread pattern picks up small rocks and does not dislodge them. That can throw the tire a little off-balance at certain speeds. Maybe it's Nokian's way of ensuring better grip on ice?

 

[rjundi]

The WR G2 has been my all favorite true all-season tire that works in winter conditions. I have owned the ancestors to it NRW>WR>WR G2. Everyone only gets way better.

 

[SubLGT]

Nokian has released detailed information on the new Hakka R2 and Hakka 8:

http://www.nokiantyres.com/media-release?id=32260793&year=2013

http://www.nokiantyres.com/media-release?id=32260600&year=2013

 

[Hollow]

Looking forward to seeing the WRG3.

And being able to find them in an affordable manner.

 

[sciphi]

I'd love to see how the R2 does in comparison tests. And, 5% better rolling resistance than the R will be nice. The R rolls very well on dry pavement as it is.

It seems that crushed walnut shells or carbon particles embedded into the studless tires are becoming widespread for better ice traction. The only problem is that donuts in snowy parking lots will become increasingly difficult!

 

[SubLGT]

It sounds like they put a lot of effort into improving the ice traction of the R2, claiming that it stops 10m (33 ft) shorter from 80 km/hr (50mph) than the R.

They do not mention the north American market in their press release, so it is unclear whether the R2 will be available in the US in 2013.

 

[sciphi]

33 feet shorter from 50 mph is a large difference. That's the difference between sliding through an intersection or stopping right before it.

 

[dailydriver]

Yes, when I am in the market for winters again, BOTH the R2, and the WRG3 sound like my tire, depending on the conditions.

I was VERY impressed with the Hakka 2s, and the square shouldered, NRWs I've owned in the past.

 

[SubLGT]

Michelin introduced the new Xi3 last year, and this year Nokian introduces the R2. The Blizzak WS70 was introduced in 2010 and I would expect to see a WS80 in 2014.

Isn't it about time for Continental to update the ExtremeWinterContact? I believe it has been on the market in its current form for 4-5 years.

 

[krzyss]

Continental sells TS830 in Canada for last 2 years and it introduced TS850 in Europe this winter.

No clue what they are doing, maybe selling on markets where they earn more money?

Krzys

 

[SubLGT]

I just took a look at Continental's US website, and the only winter tire they are showing is the ExtremeWinterContact. None of their performance winters were listed.

I did find out that the EWC was introduced in 2009, and since winter tires seem to be on a 4 year product cycle, maybe Conti will have something new this year.