After launching its winter and summer passenger vehicle tyres in Europe, Apollo Tyres has launched its ultra-high- performance summer tyre Aspire 4G at the Geneva Motor Show. This next-generation tyre will be available in W and Y speed ratings suitable for speeds up to 300kph. The Aspire 4G will cater to around 50 percent of the cars in the highly fragmented summer W and Y speed-rated European market, with fitment in cars like the BMW 5-series, Mercedes-Benz E-class, Audi A6 and Volkswagen Passat.
Speaking at the launch, Neeraj Kanwar, managing director, Apollo Tyres, said: “This tyre is a product of cross- geography collaboration between our research and manufacturing teams in The Netherlands and India. After the launch in Europe, we will make the Aspire 4G available in each of the non-European markets we currently manufacture and export to.”
Apollo Aspire 4G has a minimalistic, asymmetric design to cater to superior handling in wet and dry conditions; shorter braking distance and low noise. The wide outer shoulder with narrow intermediate groves leads to better contact for dry handling. Three wide circumferential grooves reduce aquaplaning and heighten grip in wet conditions. The centre rib, which is optimised for stiffness, lends higher steering precision. The Aspire 4G precisely responds to any unexpected steering corrections, providing maximum driving safety, especially through the optimised contour and a wider contact surface. A unique mix of raw materials ensures maximum traction and shorter braking distances on wet and dry surfaces.
Rob Oudshoorn, CEO, Apollo Vredestein B V, commented: “We are beginning production with nine sizes which cater to the majority of cars in the W and Y-rated category in Europe. Both the Apollo summer and winter range have found high acceptance in Europe in the past year in Germany, UK, Netherlands, Italy and Greece. Given this we are now expanding our base into Switzerland, Austria and Denmark. The Aspire 4G has been extensively tested at IDIADA, Spain and ATP Papenburg, Germany, with some excellent results.”