Testing tires in Extreme Conditions

Nokian Tyres is always a step ahead of the present. Continuous development of testing activities and being on the cutting edge of product research has created unique innovations that benefit everyday drivers. Intensive testing and a thorough understanding of winter and our products serve the ultimate goal of product development: safety.

In addition to the test program that is performed under actual operating conditions, tire development also requires a significant number of different laboratory tests, computer simulations, and bench tests. The testing separates the good tires from the best. In order to achieve comprehensive results, tests are run on several international tracks in addition to the company's own testing centers.

"Products which have been carefully tailored for different applications and which have passed strict tests impress their users and open the door to success."
Matti Morri, Technical Customer Service Manager, Nokian Tyres plc

North of the Arctic Circle, in the town of Ivalo in Finnish Lapland, the company operates a proving ground with over 700 hectares (1,700 acres) of land where product development and testing teams, including drivers, put tires on trial with the task of identifying the best winter tires.

State-of-the-art equipment, versatile tests and skilled and experienced people see to it that all the extreme situations of winter driving are thoroughly studied in Ivalo.  Our demanding development work, whose foremost goal is safety, defies and exceeds the limits of a tires' grip.

On the Nokia proving ground, which spreads over an area of 30 hectares (74 acres), Nokian Tyres simulates almost all driving situations on northern roads. 

High-speed tires are also tested abroad

Tires that are designed for fast driving and high performance vehicles must also be tested at the appropriate speeds. The testing center in Nokia is not sufficient for testing Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires to the required extent and level of detail. In Finland, the seasonal variations make testing times very short for summer tires. This is why foreign test tracks are also required.

In order to achieve comprehensive results, we test wet grip, hydroplaning properties, and handling in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain and Papenburg, Germany, among other places. In the winter, tire tests are run in South Africa.