Dunlop 4x4 RT5 and AT5 tyres launched and tried

By JAY WONG | 30 May 2016


PETALING JAYA: Continental Tyre Malaysia has introduced two new Dunlop 4x4 tyres - the road-going RoadTrekker RT5 and the all-terrain MaxGrip AT5 for the Malaysian market, which are priced somewhere in the RM400 to RM500 region.

According to Continental, the second generation of locally made tyres from Alor Setar come with high performance, durability and have all-terrain capabilities for users with sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pick-up trucks and cross-over SUVs.

Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 (left) and RoadTrekker RT5 - 04
Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 (left) and RoadTrekker RT5


The two tyres now take over from its predecessors - the RT2 and AT2, introduced seven years ago.

The RT5, meant for the highway terrain segment, is touted as having longer mileage performance with an improved contour concept over the RT2 and provides for better road contact area.

Furthermore, its part-silica compound helps to improve wet grip by shortening braking distances, while helping to prolong its mileage performance.

Dunlop RoadTrekker RT5 - 03
In terms of features, its rubber blocks have gotten larger and stiffer, with the centre treads taking care of directional stability, flanked by water-flow channels at either side before reaching the large outer treads for improved cornering stability.

Eight sizes are available for the RT5, which are 31 x10.5R15 LT LRC, 215 R15, 255/70R15, 265/70R15, 245/70R16, 255/70R16, 265/70R16 and 225/65R17.

Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 - 06
As for the all-terrain MaxGrip AT5, it is a dual-role tyre that's been engineered for both road and off-road use and comes with an optimised tread depth for an improved life-span to aid in heat loss.

It also gets a varied angle "zig-zag" tread pattern that helps to capture and releases mud as well stones when at speed and its blocks is said to be of less rolling-resistance, while providing good grip over different surfaces.

Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 - 01
Additionally, the tyre also comes equipped with a sidewall protection ring and acts as a means to resist puncture from sharp objects and the occurrence bulging on the tyre.

The MaxGrip AT5 comes in six sizes such as 255/70R15, 265/70R15, 31x10.50R15, 245/70R16, 265/70R16 and 275/70R16.

"These new Dunlop 4x4 tyres were designed in Malaysia for Malaysian road conditions and customer expectations," said Continental Tyre Malaysia managing director Cameron Wilson.

He also added that the new Dunlop tyres cover 90% of the 4x4 and pick-up vehicle tyre needs of the Malaysian market.

Driving with Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 - 26
After launching both tyres, members of the media were invited to experience the MaxGrip AT5 on road and off-road conditions with a quick trip to Cherengin Hills Convention and Spa Resort where we proceeded to a nearby location for the off-road experience.

We travelled in a Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure wearing a set of brand new 265/70R16 Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 tyres and found them to quiet along highway speeds till 80kph where there would be a slight drone from the tyre that goes away as the speed increased by an additional 10kph, only to return at the effects repeated around the 100kph mark.

Driving with Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 - 01
The tyres felt stiff on the road with plenty of road-feel coming back to the occupants as we felt almost everything the tyres went over and with an already stiff and robust suspension set-up in the Triton, the AT5 tyres seemed to amplify that effect.

After a quick stop at a nearby R&R facility along the way allowed us to hop into a Nissan NP300 Navara with its front independent double-wishbone and rear multi-link shock absorbers suspension system.

We found the pairing to fit nicely with the NP300's supple-natured suspension dialling in some comfort for the tough AT5 tyres.

Driving with Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 - 0


While there might be a little too much information coming from the tyres while on the road, going off-roading with it was where it was able to shine better, but by this time, we were already back in the Triton after our pleas and possibilities of parley to remain in the NP300 falling on deaf ears.

However, off-roading with the AT5 tyres allowed us to better feel the undulating terrain as we bounced our way through the paths while the tyres simply and effortlessly gripped through the loose dirt.

Although the AT5 is being touted as a half-and-half tyre - half road and half off-road,  we still consider them to be more off-road skewed with road-going abilities, which is still pretty impressive with its cornering stability and lack of tyre noise.

Driving with Dunlop MaxGrip AT5 - 12


 


Dunlop RoadTrekker RT5


 

Dunlop MaxGrip AT5


Keywords