Sporty UHP (ultra high performance) summer tyre Nokian zLine as top product provides a precise, excellent and safe driving feel for fast driving. With firm grip, Nokian Line high- performance summer tyre for compact and mid-sized cars drives safely on wet roads under changing European weather conditions. Utilising future technology, Nokian eLine for smaller cars achieves the top AA rating on the EU’s new tyre label for fuel efficiency and wet grip. Already the previous summer tyres from Nokian are eightfold test winners in the German summer tyre tests 2012. Thus the Finnish premium brand has won more tests than any other brand. The improved Nokian summer tyre range is now available at tyre retail. Nokian Tyres is the world’s leading winter tyre specialist.
The new Nokian zLine – sporty, cool performance for fast driving
Cool, safe, powerful driving feel with precise handling and firm grip even on wet roads
Masters the rapidly changing European road conditions in summer
The new Nokian zLine summer tyre provides a convincing, precise driving feel. This safe new member of the Nokian Tyres tyre range is pleasantly stable to drive in the varying Central European summer conditions. It excels under extreme conditions and is not afraid of changing road conditions or large changes in temperature. The know-how and latest technology from the world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer make the sporty Nokian zLine a top product in its class. The Nokian zLine is designed for fast driving and belongs to the UHP category, the top class for passenger car tyres.
Its size selection comprises 31 products from 16 to 20 inches, in speed categories W (270 km/h) and Y (300 km/h). Retail sales of the product in Central Europe start now. The Nokian zLine, continuing its strong family traditions, is the successor of the test-winning Nokian Z G2 that recently took first place in the summer tyre comparison test of Auto Bild, Europe’s largest motoring magazine, among others. Like its predecessor, the Nokian zLine is versatile and multi-talented.
Precise and accurate with nanotechnology and strong wet grip, even under extreme conditions
The handling and grip properties of the Nokian zLine were refined on the rough northern roads and the European high-speed circuits. The creation of the excellent wet grip properties utilised high-speed camera footage, providing essential information about the interaction between the road and the tyre. The test schedule also included comprehensive indoor testing for the tyre structure, combined with thousands of kilometres of test driving on different asphalt roads.
“The Nokian zLine is a professional in demanding driving conditions, thanks to its new generation of tread compound, nanotechnology layered structure, and tread pattern developed for fast driving. It immediately responds to steering, which is an essential requirement for safe operation at extreme limits. In addition to the precise driving feel, these advances in technology also manifest themselves in the remarkable driving comfort of the tyre, explains Juha Pirhonen,” Product Development Manager for Nokian Tyres.
This latest introduction to the updated Nokian summer tyre range, tailored for Central European roads, provides the best possible grip and a precise driving feel, especially for wet roads. The new innovations, the Cross-Block sipes and surge grooves, enable the Nokian Line to steer precisely and provide excellent grip, even on roads made slippery by rain.
This new tyre, designed especially for high-powered cars and with a good, precise driving feel, offers uncompromisingly safe and comfortable travel from the first moments of spring until long into the autumn. The structural features and tread compound of the easy to control, logically behaving Nokian Line have been tailored to work together and correspond to the different challenges of the T, H, V, and W speed categories. This extensive product family, being now introduced into the Central European market, comprises a total of 45 products from 15 inches up to 17 inches. Nokian Tyres are the test winners of eight German summer tyre tests in 2012.
New innovations maximise wet grip
According to research, rain is the weather phenomenon that causes the most traffic accidents. Driving is easy on a sun-scorched highway, but when a sudden rain shower strikes, the possibility of temporarily losing control grows. A key factor is the loss of tyre grip or dangerous aquaplaning, which can quickly turn the driver into a passenger in an uncontrollable car.
“When optimising the road contact and developing the structure of Nokian Line, we aimed at maximising a precise driving feel and excellent wet grip. We utilised a high-speed camera for this purpose to a great extent. The finishing touches for the exceptional wet grip and anti-aquaplaning characteristics are the new innovations that effectively remove water from between the tyre and the road or store it temporarily,” says Product Development Manager Juha Pirhonen from Nokian Tyres.
The unique Cross-Block sipes on the centre ribs of the tyre work in two ways. Near the outer shoulder, the Cross sipes combine with the firmer rib to provide driving stability. The more heavily articulated Cross sipe on the rib next to the inner shoulder ensures soft road contact, while reducing rolling resistance and noise levels. The angle and groove volume of the slanted Cross sipe have been optimised. On a wet road, the Cross sipe is doubly effective in preventing aquaplaning: it stores water during road contact and accelerates the flow of water into the main grooves.
