Nokian Tyres has revealed a new studded winter tire that automatically adjusts its grip level based on temperature. The new Hakkapeliitta 01 becomes the world’s first production tire to extend or retract its studs depending on driving conditions, aiming to improve safety while reducing road wear and noise.
The system relies on a specially engineered adaptive base layer embedded beneath the tread surface, where the studs are anchored. When temperatures drop to freezing levels, the rubber compound stiffens, increasing pressure within the structure and pushing the studs outward to enhance grip on ice. As temperatures rise and surfaces become wet rather than frozen, the compound softens, allowing the studs to retract deeper into the tread pattern.
This mechanical adaptation enables the tire to deliver maximum traction in icy conditions while minimizing unnecessary friction, noise, and asphalt wear on clearer roads.
Nokian first introduced the concept of retractable studs in 2014. Since then, the company has spent more than a decade refining the technology, testing thousands of prototypes in controlled laboratory environments as well as extreme real-world conditions near the Arctic Circle.
Compared with the previous Hakkapeliitta 10, the new Hakkapeliitta 01 delivers measurable improvements. Road wear is reduced by 30 percent, noise levels decrease by one decibel, ice grip improves by 10 percent, and wet-road traction increases by five percent.
Production will begin this fall at Nokian’s factory in Nokia, Finland. Pricing has not yet been announced. The tire will be available in 122 sizes ranging from 14 to 22 inches, covering passenger cars, crossovers, and SUVs.
According to Mikko Liukkula of Nokian Tyres, the goal was to develop a tire that automatically adapts to increasingly unpredictable winter conditions while also addressing stricter regulations concerning road surface impact.
While much of the automotive industry focuses on electrification and software innovation, developments in tire technology remain critical. As the sole point of contact between a vehicle and the road, tire performance continues to play a decisive role in safety and driving confidence — particularly in extreme winter climates.
