Apollo Apterra AT2 Tyres 4,000 Km Review on Maruti Jimny: A Worthy Alternative to Stock Tyres?

The Apollo Apterra AT2 has been around for a few years and has become one of the more popular aftermarket replacements for the Maruti Suzuki Jimny. The stock fitment on the Jimny is the 195/80 R15 Bridgestone Dueler tyres. These tyres are well-suited for highway terrain, but we wanted to replace them with something that offers a better stance while remaining as close as possible to the stock aspect ratio. The smartest choice was the Apollo Apterra AT2 in the 225/70 R15 specification, which results in just a 0.43 percent deviation in aspect ratio from the stock tyres. How did they perform? Here's our 4,000 km report.

Stance

Wider tyres give the Jimny a more macho and stronger stance compared to the stock setup. It's one aftermarket update that can make a world of difference in how the Jimny looks. Even from the back, it appears much more purpose-built.

The Fitment

After fitting the tyres, I noticed some steering wobble at speeds around 90 kmph. This issue was resolved through wheel balancing and the addition of weights. The front left was fitted with 20 gms, the front right with 40 gms, and 70 gms were added to each of the rear wheels. While the vibrations are much lower now, there is still a slight buzz in the steering wheel when past 100 kmph due to the AT tyre pattern. However, it's not much of a bother.

Acceleration & Braking

The Jimny isn't built for setting lap records, and I anticipated a slight slowdown in acceleration. In our tests, the Jimny recorded a 0-100 kmph time of 19 seconds with the stock tyres. With the new Apollo tyres, this increased to 20 seconds, which is acceptable. Braking, on the other hand, has improved significantly due to the wider contact patch, instilling greater confidence when driving at higher speeds. The tyre noise has increased slightly.

Handling & Ride Quality

The Jimny now handles corners with much more confidence. Of course, there's still considerable body roll and understeer to watch out for. The tyres provide excellent grip on sand and rocky surfaces, making them a good option for challenging terrains. While the ride quality is slightly stiffer, it remains comfortable as long as you stick to the recommended tyre pressures. The Jimny continues to be one of the more comfortable ladder-on-frame SUVs in the market.

Fuel Efficiency

The claimed fuel efficiency figure for the Jimny is 16.94 kmpl (MT) and 16.39 kmpl (AT). The vehicle in question is an automatic equipped with a 4-speed gearbox. The overall fuel efficiency I've observed in the city is around 12.5 kmpl to 13 kmpl, depending on driving conditions. Even on highways, the efficiency doesn't improve much, hovering around 13 kmpl when cruising at 90 kmph.
 

Off-Road Ability

The primary purpose of these AT tyres is to enhance off-road ability. While the Jimny's All Grip Pro system is already highly capable even with highway terrain tyres, its off-road performance gets a significant boost. The grip levels on sand, mud, and rocky trails improve substantially, making off-roading much more enjoyable.

Verdict

The Apollo Apterra AT2 is priced at Rs 7,800 per tyre, making it a premium upgrade. What may pinch is that the stock Bridgestone Dueler tyres are not in high demand, resulting in low buyback prices. However, the Apterra AT2 more than compensates with its macho looks, improved handling, and enhanced off-road capability. The merits far outweigh the shortcomings.