The innovative Grandtrek AT3G is an enhancement of Dunlop’s legendary Grandtrek AT1 radial tyre for the 4x4 and SUV market, which has been an Original Equipment specification on selected Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series models as a 265/70 R16.
However, the AT3G offers a variety of modifications for even more rugged performance off the beaten track. Chief amongst these is the heftier 3-ply sidewall that provides superior strength, improved high load capacity, better resistance to cuts and punctures than the standard 2-ply sidewall. This translates into the ability to load your vehicle and trailer to the limit, and go off the beaten track with confidence.
Riaz Haffejee, CEO of SRSA said: “This is the tyre of choice for 4x4 enthusiasts embarking on bumpy overland adventures to commercial users venturing into tough, rural terrain regularly. Thirteen tyre sizes available with this product give it immense appeal as an aftermarket fitment for any leading off-road vehicle that demands rough and tough performance from a tyre.”
SRSA’s two-phase, multi-billion-rand investment into its Ladysmith manufacturing plant will see SRSA increasing the output of high-quality passenger and SUV tyres, such as the AT3G, in the future.
The AT3G was put through its paces in mid-2017 when world-renowned professional adventurer Peter van Kets, photo-journalist Jacques Marais and crew set off on a mountain biking trip from the Angolan border through the unforgiving yet beautiful terrains along the Namibian desert edge to Walvis Bay. Their support vehicles were shod with the new Dunlop tyre. Post-trip inspection showed the AT3G tyres had surpassed all expectations, overcoming shale, rocks, sand, gravel and tar to emerge from the over 7000km journey barely worn and only with minor scuffing.
Peter van Kets said, “We put these tyres through their paces on normal long highway driving, as well as the worst encounters of off-road driving, being it gravel, soft sand or razor-sharp shale. No failures and the tyres just ate up whatever we threw at it. I’m currently driving my personal vehicle on the AT3G as well and enjoying the everyday performance both on- and off-road.”
Independent testing by a Gerotek test driver demonstrated that the AT3G out-performed competitors for wet handling, wet braking and overall performance across terrains including loose rock, sand and gravel road. These results were further verified in a recent all terrain tyre test by SA 4x4 Magazine and run in their March issue, where the AT3G comfortably outperformed the only other 3-ply competitor in the test.
The 13 sizes on offer for the tyre cover a wide variety of vehicles and add to Dunlop’s already impressive SUV/4x4 range from Original Equipment specified highway terrain patterns to serious off-road adventure tyres.
The AT3G is currently manufactured at the Sumitomo Rubber Industries factory in Thailand, but will be available from Dunlop Zone dealers and selected 4x4 specialist dealerships during the month of April 2018.
For more, visit http://www.dunloptyres.co.za/