Innovative winter tire studs that deploy when needed

Finnish tire maker Nokian has announced, "The world's first non-studded winter tire with studs." Beyond that brain teaser is an innovative concept, whereby the driver can deploy tire studs with the press of a button. 

For starters, studded tires do offer an edge for biting into hard packed snow and ice, but the clinking noise on bare pavement is a nuisance. Plus, there are concerns in Europe and this country over the damage caused by studded tire to road surfaces. The deployable stud concept could be the best approach to bridge studded tire performance without the noise and road damage disadvantages. Sounds great, but be forewarned that Nokian makes premium products at a premium price. Hence, we expect that its deployable studded tire will be pretty pricey, should it ever happen.

There have been concepts in the tire world like this before, using the air pressure inside the tire to pop-out studs as needed. But to see these Finns try it, the concept might just reach market. Nokian is tight-lipped on how it might work, but the flurry among bloggers and other media outlets, and the need to address severe winter traction needs and roadway regulations, might propel Nokian to further develop the concept.

Nokian is a pioneer in developing innovative winter tire products. We tested and embraced the virtues of the innovative WR G2 and successor WR G3 all-weather tires that combine the virtues of all-season tire with the snow traction of a winter tire. And then there is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R7—a tire studded at the factory; most studded tires have to be studded by a tire mechanic in a store, which is a costly and laborious task.

Also coming from Nokian is a new Hakkapeliitta R8 as well as "eco" stud, made lightweight for reduced noise and road damage relative to ordinary metal studs.

Fans of the world's most famous British secret agent have actually seen such deployable stud technology in action—movie action, that is.

In "Die Another Day," Pierce Brosnan gets to drive his "tire studded" Aston Martin V12 Vanquish on ice as he battles a bad guy. Other gadgets, such as the Aston's machine guns, thermal imaging, and adaptive camouflage (hence, Q nicknames it the "Vanish") will probably not be offered by either the car company nor Nokian. (Take a look at the 3:39 mark of this clip to see the remote tire studs in action.)

These "studs" (so to speak) also show up in the 007 flick "The Living Daylights." Timothy Dalton takes the wheel of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante—complete with heat-seeking missiles and laser beams built into the front hubcaps. His car also gets a jet booster, so he can make the most of his spiked tires.

To many, James Bond has always been a stud. Whether or not you'll get to experience his tires is a question that not even S.P.E.C.T.R.E. can answer.

—Gene Petersen & Mike Quincy