New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) Tyre manufacturer Apollo on Thursday launched the new Apterra AT2 tyre line for SUV segment, complete with triplex casing and high tensile steel belts, to perform in all terrains, especially on rocky surfaces and wet roads.

"We are sharpening our focus on SUV segment in India. The excellent test results and the global efforts that have gone into developing the Apollo Apterra AT2, give us the confidence that this tyre will set a new benchmark in the all-terrain space," Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres Ltd, said on the launch.

Armed with puncture resistance and durability, the Apterra AT2 tyres come in HL, HT, AT and HP configurations. The tyres are being rolled out in phases and the first lot will be launched in eight sizes, including replacement units, for the Fortuner and XUV500.

Currently, only the 16-18-inch sizes are available in the first phase. The second phase will have six different tyre sizes and these will be expanded to even 20 inches. Apollo aims to cover 90 per cent of the market in India for all-terrain tyres, said Mr Sharma.

The herringbone grooves take care of water drainage and claim to provide better control during off-roading. Stability too is taken care off with the visibly wider tread pattern. Moreover, the grooves have been designed in a way that small stones don't accumulate and are instead ejected, while the tyre is in motion, the Apollo APMEA President added.

The tyres were co-developed by the Netherlands and Chennai teams and will be manufactured at Vadodara in Gujarat.

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