When it comes to icy conditions Finland has it pretty bad, so it's not surprising that a local tire company called Nokian has found a solution to a problem that most of us deal with every winter: traction in really difficult conditions.
They call it "the world's first non-studded winter tire with studs". We call it pretty gosh darn impressive!
When normal road conditions are in place, the winter tires work just like any others would. but if the snow and ice start to make life hard or hazardous for the driver, he needs only to press a button and metal studs pop out.
The idea of the combined non-studded and studded tire is that the driver can make the switch when the conditions clearly change. Studded tires are illegal in some countries because they damage the road, but these would be perfectly fine as long as the regulators approve them.
"This new concept tyre is an amazing technological feat. The unique stud concept may indeed become a reality one day. As the pioneers of the winter tyre world, we show that it is possible to combine a studded and non-studded winter tyre," says Matti Morri, Technical Customer Service Manager for Nokian Tyres.
When normal road conditions are in place, the winter tires work just like any others would. but if the snow and ice start to make life hard or hazardous for the driver, he needs only to press a button and metal studs pop out.
The idea of the combined non-studded and studded tire is that the driver can make the switch when the conditions clearly change. Studded tires are illegal in some countries because they damage the road, but these would be perfectly fine as long as the regulators approve them.
"This new concept tyre is an amazing technological feat. The unique stud concept may indeed become a reality one day. As the pioneers of the winter tyre world, we show that it is possible to combine a studded and non-studded winter tyre," says Matti Morri, Technical Customer Service Manager for Nokian Tyres.