Category Archives: Technology

CFMoto Introduces New Engine & 50″ Trail Side-by-Sides

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The new 500HO high output engine from CFMoto.

The new 500HO high output engine from CFMoto.

The new 2016 CFMoto ZForce 500 which uses the new high output engine.

The new 2016 CFMoto ZForce 500 which uses the new high output engine.

CFMoto recently announced two new trail side-by-sides for 2016, the ZForce 500HO Trail and the ZForce 800 Trail. The ZForce 500HO Trail is powered by their new 500HO high output engine. The single-cylinder, four-valve overhead cam, liquid-cooled engine features BOSCH electronic fuel injection for instant starts, crisp throttle response and improved fuel economy. The new engine delivers 15 percent more power and 10 percent more torque than the 600 engine it replaces. The two new trail friendly models will be available at dealers in mid-January. The 2016 lineup will also feature new Sumitomo electrical connectors to improve performance in wet conditions and more durable front differentials as part of an effort to improve the overall durability of CFMoto’s side-by-sides. The MSRP for the ZForce 500HO Trail is $8,799 and for the ZForce 800 Trail it’s $9,999. Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Comment:  While the press release notes the vehicles being 50″ wide, on a couple of dealer websites I checked have the vehicles are listed as being 52″ wide. Nevertheless, this introduction is an indication that no segment in the side-by-side market is escaping increased competition. While the 50″ trail riding segment has largely been the battleground of major brands such as Polaris and Arctic Cat, the entrance of a value brand such as CFMoto indicates both the sales potential of the segment and the determination of companies to grab a piece of the pie.

GEM Director John Stockman Talks About the New Model Year

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The new GEMs for model year 2016.

The new GEMs for model year 2016.

I recently interviewed GEM Director John Stockman about the changes to the GEM lineup for model year 2016, the vision for the brand and how it fits within the overall small vehicle portfolio of Polaris. Here is an excerpt from the larger article posted in our Buying Guide section:

Polaris has made extensive changes to the GEM lineup for the 2016 e2, e4, e6 and eL XD models. Stylistically the iconic “bubble” design is still noticeable from a side view, but a frontal view reveals significant changes. The new design was in large part based on customer research. According to Stockman, in the neighborhood of 10 different designs were vetted by customers and consumers before a final design was chosen.

Even more important than stylistic changes, were the engineering changes made under the skin in direct response to several phases of customer research, including multiple ride clinics with dozens of customers and consumers, feature and finish related research, as well as feedback from dealers. The research focused the product development process on a number of key areas. One was the comfort of users as they ingress and egress from the vehicles all throughout their day. Towards that end, more legroom and headroom has been created. A past complaint about hot seats was also addressed as well as items as minor as having self-canceling turn signals.

A second issue highlighted by the research was vehicle safety. Stockman states that, “We are hearing more and more from corporate campuses, colleges and universities, hotel and resorts, that they are moving away from the traditional golf carts towards LSVs because of their safety features.” With that in mind the safety features the GEM is known for were kept but also improved. This included better brakes, vehicle handling in evasive situations and seatbelts. “We really focused on making sure that this was the safest LSV you could get”, remarked Stockman.

Another focus… View Full Article

I will be following up this article with some impressions from GEM dealers on the changes for the 2016 model lineup. For detailed vehicle specifications for the 2016 and past GEMs, search the SVR vehicle database.

 

Hyndsight Rear View Vision System For Kubota UTVs

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The Kubota RTV-X900

The Journey rear view vision system from Hyndsight Vision Systems will soon be available for Kubota utility vehicles like the Kubota RTV-X900.

Hyndsight Vision Systems has announced they have established an exclusive partnership with Weidmann Brothers, a national aftermarket wholesaler of quality products to agricultural, turf, industrial and rural lifestyle dealers, to sell the company’s rear view vision system to Kubota dealerships. Weidmann’s Orange Aftermarket division supports over 1,900 Kubota dealers with aftermarket accessories for tractors, RTVs and mowers.

The Journey vision system is a portable, wireless rear view vision system that can be mounted without any wiring required on any utility vehicle, allowing full rear view coverage on a sunlight readable monitor. Designed for a harsh environment, the rugged, weather resistant system and provides a “real-to-life” visual field through a real-time video stream between camera and monitor. The Jouney system debuted at Kubota’s recent national dealer meeting. Learn more:  PRweb.com

Comment:  As the UTV market has developed, the vehicles have been adopting some of the same advanced technology that is present in automobiles. In similar fashion, this technology is typically first found on more expensive vehicles as standard equipment or as an optional accessory. This product could be useful in other STOV market segments as well such as on LSVs and golf car type vehicles used on college campuses, where vehicle safety is a significant concern in high pedestrian traffic environments. Similarly, in gated communities or where public road use by LSVs and golf cars is high there could be some demand for the product.

Kubota Makes Upgrades to 2016 UTV Models

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The Kubota RTV-X1100C receives a PTO upgrade for 2016.

The Kubota RTV-X1100C receives a PTO upgrade for 2016.

Kubota has made some upgrades to their RTV-X line up of utility vehicles for model year 2016. The RTV-X1100C will now be able to have a front PTO connection. Implements can hook up to the PTO in seconds by simply flipping the PTO lever. The PTO is gearbox driven and the complete system can be removed in less than an hour if you need to use the vehicle without an implement. Four PTO attachments will be available for 2016:

  • A 66-inch snowblower with a standard hydraulic chute rotation and deflector.
  • A 66-inch sweeper that turns at more than 240 rpm.
  • A 78-inch v-plow that will accommodate the full width of the RTV.
  • A 78-inch straight blade.

Kubota has also added the RTV-X1140 to their X series. A key features is the K-Vertible cargo conversion system with an improved three-step process when converting the seating from two to four. A newly designed ROPS makes loading from the side easier when the RTV is in the two-seat configuration. In addition, the X1140 has independent rear suspension, 10% more legroom in the backseat, and a 20% larger radiator. This model is expected to ship to dealers this month. Learn more: Forconstructionpros.com

Comment:  Compared to other manufacturers these model year changes are more incremental, but consistent with the rate of change that Kubota has implemented in the past for their utility vehicles. In part, this is a reflection of their primary markets such as farming, large estate, hunting and construction. The needs of these markets have not changed drastically over the years and Kubota has had a long time presence with a full line up of vehicles. In contrast recreational UTV buyers are frequently looking for the latest and greatest new technology or larger engine size, and these changes often drive vehicle sales.

Polaris Adds To Their 4-Seat RZR Line-up

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The new Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 EPS High Lifter Edition in Titanium Matte Metallic.

The new Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 EPS High Lifter Edition in Titanium Matte Metallic.

The new Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS Spectra Orange.

The new Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS Spectra Orange.

Polaris announced the addition two new 4-seat side-by-sides, the RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS and the RZR XP 4 1000 EPS High Lifter Edition. The RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS is based on the 2-seat version and similarly features:

  • 144 hp ProStar Turbo engine mated to a stronger driveline
  • FOX Podium Internal Bypass shocks
  • 16″ of front suspension travel
  • 18″ of rear suspension travel with a 3-Link trailing arm rear suspension
  • High Performance True On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive
  • Triple piston front brake calipers and double piston rear brake calipers with 248mm rotors
  • Adjustable front seat sliders
  • Adjustable seat belts heights in the rear

The RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS retails for $27,499 U.S./$32,399 CAN, will be offered in Graphite Crystal and Spectra Orange, and will be available at Polaris dealerships in October.

The RZR XP 4 EPS High Lifter Edition is based on the RZR XP 1000 EPS High Lifter Edition and features the following:

  • 110 hp ProStar 1000 H.O. engine
  • Mud specific cooling and gearing
  • High Performance True On-Demand AWD
  • High-mounted engine intakes, clutch intakes and exhaust
  • 15″ of ground clearance
  • Stiffer springs
  • 29.5″ High Lifter Outlaw 2 tires
  • 4,500 lb. Polaris winch
  • Dryseat technology seats
  • Factory-installed half doors
  • Electronic Power Steering
  • Removable floor drains

The RZR XP 4 1000 High Lifter Edition will be available in dealerships in October with an MSRP of $25,699 U.S./$30,199 CAN.

Polaris has also added a RZR S 900 with Blue Fire premium paint without Electronic Power Steering (EPS), retailing at $15,499 U.S./$17,799 CAN to their 2-seat RZR lineup. Learn more: Polaris.com

Comment:  It only took about three months for Polaris to come out with these four seat versions. Not only the sheer number of vehicles Polaris puts out, but the pace at which they put the vehicles out is one of the reasons they are such a tough competitor and so successful in the market. The new High Lifter Edition vehicle is about $3,400 more than the standard version of the same model.

114-Mile Range for Lithium Powered Golf Car

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Lithium Boost system installed in EZGO by Advantage Golf Cars

Lithium Boost system installed in EZGO by Advantage Golf Cars

Lithium Boost Technologies, working with Advantage Golf Cars of the The Villages in Florida, announced that they were able to get 114 miles from a single charge in an E-Z-GO RXV golf car using the LithiumBoost Ultra battery system. The Lithium Boost Technologies integrated battery system includes 200ah lithium-ion cells, 20a chargers, smart BMS (Battery Management System), and all the required wiring, gauge and accessories. Management states that the core value is in the patented BMS and individual-cell chargers system that was designed to optimize and control charging/discharging in order to yield maximum stored energy and assure long life cycle of the lithium cells. The full press release follows below the comment section.

Comment:  That is an impressive range for a single charge. The issue with lithium battery systems is the cost relative to lead acid battery systems. At this point, the technology appeals mostly to the higher end of the market as a replacement or option for a standard lead acid system. The golf car market is very price sensitive so the price of a Lithium based system will need to decrease significantly for widespread use to occur. Besides the advantages of more range and less weight, there is also need for a battery pack that is less maintenance intensive then lead acid batteries. If you talk to dealers or battery companies, they frequently point to poorly maintained batteries as an issue. It can impact the sales of electric powered golf cars or LSVs because a poorly maintained battery pack can result in a premature and expensive replacement of batteries. This can reflect poorly on the vehicle manufacturer, battery manufacturer and dealer, even though the fault often resides with the owner not properly maintaining the batteries. In turn, this can lead consumers to a switch to a gas powered vehicle. 

Advantage Golf Cars Achieved 114-Mile Range Deploying Lithium-ion Battery System from Lithium Boost Technologies 

Smart Battery Management System (BMS) and innovative chargers allow enhancing the performance of lithium-powered golf carts

San Diego, CA, and The Villages, FL, September 29, 2015 – Lithium Boost Technologies Inc., the leading provider of innovative Lithium-ion battery systems to power low speed electric vehicles (LSEV) today announced a record of 114 miles per charge achieved by its customer Advantage Golf Cars (The Villages, Florida).

LithiumBoost Ultra battery system with 200ah lithium cells and 20a chargers, was installed by Advantage Golf Cars in an E-Z-GO RXV golf cart, replacing existing lead-acid batteries. After performing comprehensive tests and working closely with the Lithium Boost engineering team to enhance the battery system features, Advantage Golf Cars mechanics drove 114 miles per charge at an average speed of 17 miles per hour. This record was accomplished in one day, utilizing multiple drivers taking turns in driving each one hour shift.

“At Advantage Golf Cars in Florida, we aim at best serving our customers and providing them with advanced solutions to satisfy their needs” Said Jason Martin, General Manager North at Advantage Golf Cars. “We searched for a lithium-ion battery solution that could relieve our customers from the lead-acid maintenance and leakage hassle while allowing them to gain longer drive range and significantly reduce their cart weight. Our goal was to achieve 100 miles per charge and we are glad that choosing Lithium Boost’s solution allowed us to exceed our expectations.”

The Lithium Boost Technologies integrated battery system includes lithium-ion cells, chargers, smart BMS (Battery Management System), and all the required wiring, gauge and accessories for powering low speed electric vehicles. Its core value is in the patented BMS and individual-cell chargers system that was designed to optimize and control charging/discharging in order to yield maximum stored energy and assure long life cycle of the lithium cells.

“We are delighted to have Advantage Golf Cars install our lithium battery system and run comprehensive field tests that led us to enhance our system performance and features based on their feedback and requirements, said John Wade, Chief Engineer at Lithium Boost Technologies. “At Lithium Boost we’re confident that the time has come for lithium-ion batteries to replace the existing lead-acid technology for low speed electric vehicles. However, we’re aware that changes take time and require innovation-seeking pioneers such as the team at Advantage Golf Cars,” added Sam Lev, Lithium Boost Technologies CEO. “We look forward to the day when customers can purchase golf cars with ‘lithium inside’ rather than have to go through the costly hassle of replacing the old lead-acid batteries in order to benefit from the advantages of the more advanced lithium-ion technology.”

About Lithium Boost Technologies

Based in San Diego, California, Lithium Boost Technologies Inc. provides innovative integrated Lithium-ion battery systems deploying high-quality LiFePO4 cells to power low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) and emerging applications.

Based on its proprietary technology, Lithium Boost has built a complete performance-optimized lithium-ion system with smart BMS (Battery Management System) and chargers that allow to best harness the power of lithium-ion technology.

Privately held, the company was founded in 2011 to lead the development of green energy system that can replace existing lead acid batteries in golf carts, Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV), off-road, hunting, and similar low speed vehicles, while eliminating the maintenance hassle, and providing higher performance and longer life cycle at competitive cost. www.lithiumboost.com

About Advantage Golf Cars

Advantage Golf Cars is dedicated to serving the needs of their customers. The company has been in business since 1991 and has ten locations throughout Florida. Advantage Golf Cars offers the largest selection of New and Pre-Owned E-Z-GO, Cushman, Bad Boy, Club Car and XRT vehicles. Advantage Golf Cars has been a Factory Authorized Dealer for over 20 years, and in that time they have earned multiple Dealer of the Year awards.

Advantage Golf Cars also rents and leases golf cars. Advantage Golf Cars has contracts in place for golf car maintenance repair, lease, or rentals with special event coordinators, production companies, convention centers, clubs, marinas and professional sport entities like the Miami Heat and the Miami Marlins.

Advantage Golf Cars has fully stocked parts departments in most locations, as well as providing mobile service within a targeted two-business day turnaround, including battery and tire service if needed. Advantage Golf Cars service centers provide full repair and rebuild capabilities. www.AdvantageGolfCars.com

PR Contact:
Tsipi Landen
Lithium Boost Technologies,
San Diego CA, 92130
info@lithiumBoost.com
1-800-280-0943

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What’s Cooking on the STOV: Disaster Relief Operations

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Polaris Commercial highlights potential cost-savings for non-pneumatic tires.

Polaris donated a similar set of non-pneumatic tires along with several vehicles to The Salvation Army for disaster relief operations.

Highlighting some of the many applications for Small, Task-Oriented Vehicles

Polaris recently donated four utility vehicles to The Salvation Army for use in disaster relief operations. The four vehicles include the military-oriented Ranger HIPPO, Brutus vehicles and a Polaris M1400. A set of TerrainArmor non-pneumatic tires(NPT) is also part of the donation. The Brutus vehicles are equipped with varying attachments including a bucket, grapple and pallet fork, and one vehicle has the NPT tires. The Ranger HIPPO has an integrated power system that is driven by the vehicle’s diesel engine. This allows the vehicle to travel to sites with no available power sources and run a variety of hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and welding equipment, eliminating the need for generators and other bulky equipment usually needed for these jobs.The Polaris® M1400 unit is a 2×4 gas-powered, commercial utility vehicle, capable of hauling 1,400 pounds and towing 1,500 pounds.  Learn more:  Businesswire.com

Comment:  The versatility, off-road capabilities and ruggedness of utility vehicles can really shine during disaster relief operations. In particular, the models that have multiple attachments that can be switched quickly can be useful in disaster situations where you don’t know what type of obstacles you will face or the specific tasks that will need to be completed. A remote and mobile power source is also very valuable in natural disasters where the power infrastructure has been damaged.

Lithium Boost Technologies Announces New Smart Lithium-Ion Battery Chargers

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The new smart charger from Lithium Boost Technologies

The new smart charger from Lithium Boost Technologies

Lithium Boost Technologies Inc., the leading provider of innovative Lithium-ion battery systems to power low speed electric vehicles (LSEV) has introduced enhanced and redesigned chargers to assure high performance and reliability.

Lithium Boost has developed the smart chargers in conjunction with innovative Battery Management System (BMS), based on its proprietary technology, in order to optimize the performance of lithium-ion cells targeted for use in low speed electric vehicles. The smart charging system consists of individual chargers, one for each lithium cell to assure balanced charging and completed-charge monitoring per cell. The BMS monitors the cell voltages through communication with the chargers and disables vehicle operations when any cell voltage remains too low for an extended period of time. When switched on, the BMS has an output wire that can provide up to 5Amps of power at the pack voltage for accessories, such as a DC to DC converter used for 12 volt lighting.

Lithium Boost smart chargers are now available in two sizes: 10Amps and 20Amps. Each individual charger delivers full current during most of the charge cycle, and tapers off to a trickle charge near the end of charge. The charger module accepts AC power in the range of 100-240 Volts, 50-60Hz. The 10Amp chargers set con¬sumes approximately 6.5Amps at 115Volts, and 3.2Amps at 230Volts, and the 20Amp set consumes 13Amps at 115Volts and 6.5Amps at 230Volts.

Learn more:  PRurgent.com

Comment:  While lithium-ion batteries are still pricey compared to lead-acid batteries, they are slowly making in-roads into the STOV market. One example is the new lithium powered 2016 Ranger EV from Polaris. However, the price differential is still substantial and the price for lithium batteries needs to decrease substantially before they are more widely used in the STOV market. An additional obstacle is that the weight differential between lead-acid and lithium battery packs of similar power output is substantial. Therefore, the packs cannot be simply swapped out but the vehicles need to be re-engineered to accommodate the change in weight distribution and vehicle performance.

New Yamaha YXZ1000R Targets Pure Sport Side-by-Side Market

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The new Yamaha YXZ1000 targets the "pure sport" side-by-side segment, with an eye toward dune riding.

The new Yamaha YXZ1000R targets the “pure sport” side-by-side segment, with an eye toward dune riding.

A shot of the YXZ1000's cockpit.

A shot of the YXZ1000R’s cockpit.

The hybrid analog-digital instrument panel.

The hybrid analog-digital instrument panel.

A side view of the new Yamaha YXZ1000.

A side view of the new Yamaha YXZ1000R.

Yamaha has announced they will now be competing in the pure sport side-by-side segment with the introduction of the all-new YXZ1000R side-by-side. The YXZ1000R features a high-performance, 3-cylinder 998cc engine and 5-speed sequential shift manual transmission. The 12-valve, DOHC, liquid cooled engine has a 11.3:1 compression ration and 10,500 RPM redline. The powertrain also has high-mounted, high volume air inlets, dual air filters and stainless steel exhaust system. The 5-speed transmission is manually operated via a clutch pedal and short-stroke shift lever. The new clutch design incorporates a foot-operated hydraulic clutch system.

Other key features include:

  • Yamaha’s On-Command 2WD/4WD/4WD with full differential lock
  • Electric Power Steering
  • Hydraulic disc brakes with 245mm rotors and twin piston calipers
  • FOX 2.5 Podium Shocks with 16″ of travel in the front and 17″ in the rear feature adjustable hi- and low-speed compression, adjustable rebound, and adjustable preload settings.
  • Color-matched A-Arms
  • Aggressive styling and design
  • Four LED headlight system and LED taillight
  • 300 lb. capacity cargo box
  • Sun top and full doors
  • Adjustable driver’s seat and tilt steering
  • Passenger hand-holds
  • Hybrid digital-analog instrument panel
  • Center console and 12V power outlets
  • 27″ Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires
  • 14″ cast aluminum wheels
  • 12.9″ of ground clearance
  • 64″ wide with a 90.6″ wheelbase
  • MSRP $19,799

Learn more:  Marketwatch.com

Comment:  This is a natural progression for Yamaha as they first introduced the utility/recreation Viking and then the more recreational/trail leaning Wolverine product line and now the high-performance YXZ. The lucrative sport segment of the market keeps getting more and more competitive. With the stronger US dollar, Yamaha, for at least the time being, may have a pricing advantage. We could also see some more aggressive promotions in this market segment as the competition heats up. I would anticipate some special edition models based on the YXZ1000R to be introduced in the not to distant future as well as additional models to build out the product line. It will be interesting to see if Honda decides to target this end of the market as well as they have been expanding their UTV roster as well or if Kawasaki offers some higher performance Teryx side-by-sides.

E-Z-GO Introduces Next Generation RXV Golf Car

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The new 2015 E-Z-GO RXV golf car.

The new 2015 E-Z-GO RXV golf car.

E-Z-GO recently announced their newest version of their RXV golf car. This next generation model includes an AC motor and their IntelliBrake technology. The IntelliBrake technology consists of a motor brake that automatically slows the vehicle when traveling up or down steep grades, a parking brake that automatically engages when the vehicle stops and full-time regenerative braking to recharge the batteries. Other features of the new RXV include:

  • 4.4 hp, 48-volt AC motor
  • 230 Amp AC controller
  • Fade-resistant automotive-quality paint
  • Integrated front bumper as well as side and rear bumpers
  • Redesigned rear body to maximize storage space and offers the industry’s largest bagwell
  • Contoured, ergonomic seating
  • Larger dash storage
  • Optional USB port to power smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices

The RXV is also available with a 13.5 hp Kawasaki gas engine. Learn more:  Textron.com