Introduction
Why the Apterra AT2?
I know the Apollo Apterra AT2 well. I have experienced them on various SUVs, albeit off-road. I also had a set on my Bolero 4x4 for a brief period. These are good-looking tyres that I know work well off-road without being a slouch on the road. So, when it came to upgrading the tyres on the Maruti Jimny, I naturally gravitated towards the Apterra.
My goal with the Jimny’s tyre upgrade is the same as any Jimny owner’s - to enhance the look of the 4x4, and then improve its on- and off-road performance. I feel the AT2 should do well on both counts. But, that comes later. For now, let us introduce the tyres.
The Specs
The Jimny comes with 195/80 R15 tyres as standard. These are rated M+S or Mud and Snow, which means these are designed to perform better than normal tyres in these two specific conditions. And one would expect that, given the Maruti is a 4x4. This then was our baseline for the tyre upgrade.
The Apterra AT2 also comes with an M+S rating. We further wanted to take the AT route instead of the MT or HT route to give the SUV better off-road prowess without ruining its on-road behaviour. AT stands for All Terrain. HT is Highway Terrain. MT, the most aggressive of the lot in terms of blocky tread pattern, is a Mud Terrain tyre.
The tyre size we chose is 215/75 R15. There are other options in the Apterra AT2 range too including 225- and 235-section tyres that will fit the Jimny. But, we figured that 215 was a large enough upgrade to enhance the stance of the Jimny while leaving enough clearance in the wheel well as to not hinder performance or drivability. Or put excess load on the steering or suspension components.
There is less than an inch increase in tyre height with our chosen AT2 size compared to the stock size. And even the increase in rolling circumference with the 215 is less than two per cent. This means we can rely on the Jimny’s speedo and odo to be nearly as accurate as the stock.
The Promise
Now, according to Apollo, the Apterra AT2 brings forth three main advantages. It is more durable and resistant to punctures courtesy of triplex casing and DPF tech. DPF or dual phase fillers are materials made from carbon black and silica which help improve the strength and resistance to abrasion but without compromising on the grip or suppleness.
It offers better control against aquaplaning because of its herringbone patterned tread design. Apollo claims this pattern offers higher spacing between the treads allowing for better water dispersion and quicker steering response. Finally, it offers greater traction when the going gets slippery thanks to the multi-directional tread design. According to Apollo, the saw-tooth pattern on the shoulder improves traction in mud and sand. And, the multi-directional tread design helps with grip in all directions. The tread also showcases self cleaning ability by ejecting stones and other debris.
The Plan
The plan with the AT2s is to see how these change the Jimny’s driving dynamics. We will pay special attention to the change in steering feel, turn-in and overall grip levels on the road. And, see if these tyres make a significant difference to the Maruti’s off-roading ability, especially on steep gravelly inclines and slushy puddles. All this and more in three months’ time.
Product Details
Make: Apollo Tyres
Type: All-terrain SUV tyres
Model: Apterra AT2 (BSW)
Size: 215/75 R15
Price: Rs 7,960 per tyre
Availability: On the Apollo Tyres website
Photography by: Kaustubh Gandhi
