At the end of March 2023, the Russian representative office of Nokian sold all of its assets, including the plant in Vsevolozhsk, to Tatneft. After the deal was completed, a rebranding of the product line and the brand itself was announced. Now, instead of Nokian, Ikon tires will be produced in Russia. However, there are still quite a lot of tire models on the market under the original Nokian brand. The editors of Yuzhny Avtomobil decided to test the tires of the brand leaving Russia. We got Nokian Hakka Green 3 wheels from the last batch produced by the Russian plant.
The standard Pirelli Cinturato tires of our three-year-old editorial Lada Granta have served us faithfully and truly, so it’s time to replace them with new ones. We chose Hakka Gren 3 tires of size 195/55 R15 with the index 89V XL. The third generation of Nokian’s eco-friendly summer tires is based on a concept called Hakka Green Sense: the same signature combination of a special compound and tread pattern. The Finnish company places special emphasis on the fact that Green 3 tires, among other things, are adapted to sudden changes in weather conditions, when a dry road can suddenly turn into a wet one. This is due to a special asymmetric tread pattern called Triple Zone, each part of which performs strictly its own functions. In addition, according to the developers, Green Sense technology can reduce the braking distance and prevent aquaplaning when driving in the rain.
The Hakka Green 3 tires are made using a new rubber compound, Hakka Green Hybrid, which was also developed for changeable summer weather. In combination with a specially selected tread pattern, the tire should provide high wear resistance of the tread from the first days of spring until the autumn cold. Another important feature of the Nokian Hakka Green 3 tires is increased wear resistance. Nokian conducted resource tests in the Nordic countries and Russia.
The test results showed that the wear resistance of the Nokian Hakka Green 3 tires is 35% higher than that of the previous generation Nokian Hakka Green 2. Depending on the driving style, this may mean an increase in service life by approximately 10,000 kilometers or one summer season. Tires of this model are available in a wide range of sizes from 13 to 18 inches. The most common speed ratings are T (up to 190 km/h), H (up to 210 km/h) and V (up to 240 km/h).
The Active Hydro Zone technology in the central part of the tread is a complex system of various channels separated by the main rigid ribs. The rib closest to the inner shoulder has clearly defined diagonal sipes of varying depth and length, which together form a network that can effectively accumulate water and remove it from the tire contact patch. In various test trials, the Nokian Hakka Green 3 tires showed a tendency to aquaplaning at speeds of at least 90 km/h, which is one of the highest rates in the segment.
From the first meters of driving on Nokian Hakka Green 3 tires, their acoustic comfort is worth noting. The tires are quiet, which is especially good for cars like our Granta, which have virtually no factory noise insulation. As for braking, the tires slow down effectively on dry and wet asphalt. When driving onto the ground, you should maneuver in advance to avoid slipping.
It is also worth noting that the Nokian Hakka Green 3 breaker design consists of tightly wound steel wire, which makes the tires both durable and lightweight. And this ultimately has a positive effect when changing lanes at high speeds and in the precision of control when maneuvering.
If we add here the effect of the rubber compound and tread pattern, then the advantages of the tires of this model become more obvious, and few people will refuse the opportunity to have wear-resistant, fuel-efficient and safe on wet asphalt tires, which also make little noise, both on gravel and on roads with hard surfaces.
If we subjectively evaluate such important characteristics for summer tires as stability and controllability on dry pavement, then it is necessary to note the clear and quick reactions of the Hakka Green 3 tires to the steering wheel turn. This made lane changes when overtaking comfortable and did not require additional efforts from the driver.
It is also worth mentioning the cost of the tires. The Nokian brand has always been a reputable manufacturer, so the prices for tires are slightly higher than popular brands. At the time of publication, a set of tires for our Lada Granta cost about 24,000 rubles. But, in this case, it makes sense to overpay for Nokian than to buy tires of a cheaper brand. Finnish tires are safe, comfortable and will save you money in the future, since they will last for more than one season.
Source: ufocar
