Monthly Archives: January 2016

John Deere Introduces New Crossover XUV590i UTVs

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John Deere has introduced new crossover UTVs, the XUV590i and the four-passenger XUV590i S4. Both models also feature a power steering variant.

“The XUV590i and XUV590i S4 four-passenger models were designed to get more chores checked off your to-do list, in a more comfortable setting,” said Mark Davey, John Deere marketing manager, Gator utility vehicles. “Outdoor enthusiasts can navigate terrain faster with a top speed of over 45 mph thanks to quick acceleration powered by a 586 cc, 32 horsepower, liquid-cooled inline twin-cylinder gasoline engine.”

The new crossover UTV from John Deere, the XUV590i.

The new crossover UTV from John Deere, the XUV590i.

Key features of the XUV590i include:

  • 586cc, 32 hp, 4-cycle gas, Inline-twin engine with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and Overhead Valves (OHV)
  • 45 mph top speed
  • 4WD with limited slip front differential, plus locking rear differential
  • Fully independent front and rear suspension with 8 in. of front and rear travel
  • 10.5″ of ground clearance
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Ancla M-T or Terrahawk AT tires
  • 400 lb. cargo box
  • 1,100 lb. towing capacity
  • 65 amp alternator and 12V DC outlet
  • Backlit digital instrument panel
  • Ample legroom
  • MSRP $9,799
  • Power steering version for $10,899
A four-passenger version, the XUV590i S4, was introduced as well.

A four-passenger version, the XUV590i S4, was introduced as well.

Key features of the XUV590i S4 include:

  • 4-passenger seating
  • 586cc, 32 hp, 4-cycle gas, Inline-twin engine with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and Overhead Valves (OHV)
  • 45 mph top speed
  • 4WD with limited slip front differential, plus locking rear differential
  • Fully independent front and rear suspension with 8 in. of front and rear travel
  • 10.5″ of ground clearance
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Ancla M-T or Terrahawk AT tires
  • 400 lb. cargo box
  • 1,100 lb. towing capacity
  • 65 amp alternator and 12V DC outlet
  • Backlit digital instrument panel
  • Ample legroom
  • MSRP $11,399
  • Power steering version for $12,499

Learn more:  Deere.com

Comment:  These new models essentially offer a faster version of the XUV560 with similar cargo box and towing capacity. They also match the speed of the XUV825i (MSRP $12,059) at a lower price, but are a smaller vehicle with less horsepower, 600 lbs. less cargo box capacity and 400 lbs. less towing capacity. I  would assume that the management was hearing that customers were looking for more speed, as well as comfort in the mid-size class. In any case, this launch is another indication of the ongoing competitiveness in the utility vehicle market as manufacturers continue to churn out new models across the range of market segments.

 

Arctic Cat Introduces the 2017 Prowler 500 Side-by-Side

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The new 2017 Prowler 500 from Arctic Cat

The new 2017 Prowler 500 from Arctic Cat

Arctic Cat recently introduced the new 2017 Prowler 500. With an MSRP of $9,499, the Prowler 500 is priced considerably less than the 2016 1000 XT ($15,299) and the 700 XT ($13,999). Compared to the 700 XT the 500 has a smaller engine, no electronic power steering, less suspension travel, 25″ tires, no LED accent lights, less underhood storage, bench rather than bucket seats and slightly less cargo bed capacity. Key features of the Prowler 500 include:

  • 443cc, SOH, 4-stroke, 4-valve EFI engine
  • 2-passenger bench seating
  • 2/4 WD with electronic front differential lock
  • Automatic CVT with engine braking system
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • 7.5″ of front and rear suspension travel
  • 10″ of ground clearance
  • 25″ tires
  • 1,500 lb. towing capacity
  • 500 lb. cargo box capacity
  • Halogen headlights
  • Side restraint nets
  • Tilt steering
  • Digital sport gauge
  • 3.5 gallon underhood storage

Learn more:  Arcticcat.com

Comment:  With their lowest priced Prowler at $14,000, Arctic Cat did not have a Prowler for the lower priced segment. While this price point is crowded with competitive offerings from imports to brands like Cub Cadet as well as the larger players, Arctic Cat needs to have some presence in this part of the market. Not everyone that wants a utility vehicle can afford to spend $14,000 or more on a vehicle, but models under $10,000 are much more affordable and can offer a good value depending on the feature set.

Arctic Cat Introduces HDX Crew Utility Vehicle

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The new Arctic Cate HDX 700 Crew XT for model year 2017.

The new Arctic Cate HDX 700 Crew XT for model year 2017.

Arctic Cat has announced the new HDX 700 Crew XT for model year 2017. Key features of the HDX 700 Crew XT include:

  • 695cc, SOHC, 4-stroke, 4-valve engine with electronic fuel injection
  • Bench seating for 6
  • 2/4 WD and electronic front differential lock
  • Automatic CVT with engine braking system
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Electronic power steering
  • 1,500 lb. towing capacity and rear 2″ receiver
  • 1,000 lb. cargo box capacity convertible to flatbed
  • 22.4 gallon underhood storage
  • 10″ of front and rear suspension travel
  • Fox Float rear shocks
  • 10″ of ground clearance
  • 26″ Duro Kaden tires with aluminum wheels
  • Halogen headlights with LED light bar
  • Side restraint nets
  • Tilt steeing

The HDX 700 Crew XT is available in Team Arctic Green, Fire Red (MSRP $15,499) or True Timber Camo ($15,999).

Learn more:  Arctic Cat

Comment:  With most of their competitors offering a crew size utility vehicle in the work segment, Arctic Cat really needed to add a crew version of the HDX to fill out their product line. It’s interesting that they are introducing the model as part of the 2017 model year. Typically, vehicles for the next model year don’t start appearing until May or June.

Google Releases Report On Self-Driving Car Fleet

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The data indicates a decreasing incidence of disengagements over the time period covered by the report, Sept. 2014 to Nov. 2015.

According to the report the DMV defines disengagements as deactivations of the autonomous mode in two situations: (1) “when a failure of the autonomous technology is detected,” or (2) “when the safe operation of the vehicle requires that the autonomous vehicle test driver disengage the autonomous mode and take immediate manual control of the vehicle.” Google states that they take a conservative approach to recognizing disengagements as they are trying to gather “…as much data as possible to enable us to improve our self-driving system.”

 

Google Prototype self-driving low-speed vehicle.

Google Prototype self-driving low-speed vehicle.

Examples of the failure of autonomous technology include broken wires that lead to failure between primary and back-up self-driving systems, sensor reading anomalies related to accelerometers or GPS or anomalies in the monitoring of key functions like steering and braking. For safe operation of the vehicle drivers “…are directed to take control of the vehicle as often as they feel is necessary and for a variety of reasons relating to the comfort of the ride, the safety of the vehicle, or the erratic or unpredictable behavior of other road users.” Afterwards, the safe operation disengagements are replicated in thousands of variations in a simulator to fine tune or fix problems in the self-driving system.

In total the self-driving fleet drove over 424,000 miles on California public roads. The majority of the miles were logged on streets rather than highways because these are typically the most complex driving environments and present the biggest challenge for self-driving cars. A total of 341 disengagements were reported during the period covered by the report with 272 related to failure of the technology and 69 to safe operation of the vehicle. The following chart shows that miles driven per disengagement as it relates to autonomous technology failure has increased during the test period.

Autonomous miles driven per disengagement related to detection of a failure of the autonomous technology

Autonomous miles driven per disengagement related to detection of a failure of the
autonomous technology

The following chart shows the trend of miles driven per disengagement related to to safe operation of the vehicle. Google attributes the lack of a clear trend in the data to the low absolute number of disengagements which can lead to one month skewing the data.

Autonomous miles driven per driver-initiated disengagement related to safe operation of the vehicle

Autonomous miles driven per driver-initiated disengagement related to safe operation
of the vehicle

The report provides more detail on the different classifications of disengagement and performance of specific vehicle in the fleet. Learn more:  Self-Driving Car Report

Comment:  It appears that it is a case of when and not if self-driving cars will become widely available. While LSVs may appear at first to be a safer first step for implementing the technology by virtue of their low speed, the complex environments in which they operate may make them the most challenging. There is also the not so small issue of the cost of self-driving technology in relation to the total cost of the vehicle. As demonstrated by what is occurring in the highway capable automobile market, the most expensive vehicles tend to be the first to include aspects of self-driving technology such as lane detection and auto-braking. It may be the case that LSVs will provide an excellent test bed for the technology but will be the last in line to incorporate the technology once it becomes mainstream.

Polaris Adds Mid-Model Year 2016 Models

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The 2016 Ranger XP 900-6 in Black Pearl.

The 2016 Ranger XP 900-6 in Black Pearl.

Polaris announced the addition of new Ranger and RZR vehicles to their model year 2016 lineup, along with new ACE models. The new vehicles primarily feature new paint colors for various models, and mostly across the RZR product line. The exceptions are two new Ranger models, the Ranger XP 900 EPS Matte Sagebrush Green, which features a new paint color as well as Russet Brown cut-and-sew seats, and the Ranger Crew XP 900-6 EPS Black Pearl, which features a Velocity Blue graphics package along with the new paint color. MSRPs are not currently available but similar models with special paint colors are priced at $15,299 for the Ranger XP 900 EPS and $16,499 for the Ranger Crew XP 900-6 EPS.

The 2016 RZR S 1000 EPS in Blue Fire Metallic.

The 2016 RZR S 1000 EPS in Blue Fire Metallic.

The RZR models with new paint colors include:

  • RZR XP Turbo EPS Matte Sunset Red
  • RZR XP Turbo EPS Matte White Lightning
  • RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS Matte White Lightning
  • RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS Matte Sunset Red
  • RZR XP 1000 EPS Sunset Red
  • RZR XP 4 1000 EPS Sunset Red
  • RZR S 1000 EPS Blue Fire Metallic
  • RZR 4 900 EPS Spectra Orange
  • RZR 4 900 EPS Matte Sunset Red
  • RZR S 900 EPS Spectra Orange
  • RZR S 900 EPS Matte Sunset Red
  • RZR 900 EPS XC Edition Titanium Matte Metallic
  • RZR 900 EPS Trail Stealth Black
  • RZR 570 EPS Trail Sunset Red
The 2016 ACE 570 SP in Titanium Matte Metallic.

The 2016 ACE 570 SP in Titanium Matte Metallic.

The ACE models featuring new paint colors include:

  • Polaris ACE 570 Indy Red
  • Polaris ACE 570 Velocity Blue
  • Polaris ACE 570 SP Titanium Matte Metallic

All of the new models will begin shipping in January.

Learn more:  Polaris.com

Comment:  This is a typical mid-model year product introduction for Polaris. While they occasionally introduce a significantly new model at this time or special editions of existing models, the additions are typically new paint colors and/or graphic schemes. It is also an indicator of how well they handle their dealer inventory and manufacturing process. The ability to offer such a wide range of colors across many models in a timely manner while not bloating dealer inventory requires a very responsive and efficient manufacturing process.