Polaris Tailors UTVs for Police, Fire & Rescue

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Marc Cesare

A Polaris UTV up-fitted for law enforcement use.

A Polaris Ranger up-fitted for fire operations.

Another Polaris UTV with an alternative fire operations kit.

A Polaris UTV up-fitted for rescue operations.

The Government and Defense division of Polaris Industries recently launched a line-up of Ranger UTVs specifically tailored for law enforcement, fire and rescue operations. The vehicles take a Ranger UTV and add a pre-set package of options for each type of operation. Additional customization is available as well. Polaris is using experienced third-party up-fitters Action Fleet, RKO Enterprises and Federal Signal to put the packages together.

The law enforcement UTVs include sirens, horns, PA system and emergency lighting from Federal Signal, the same as a typical squad car. Base vehicles include the Ranger XP 1000 Northstar HVAC Edition, Ranger Crew Diesel, General 1000 EPS, Ranger 570 and RZR S 900.

Firefighting units include a capable pump, hose and reel, a combination tank for water and a compressed air foam suppression system and the ability draft from a water source. There are flexible mounting options and a firefighting and rescue combo kit is available as well. Rescue units include a rear attendant seat and a stokes rescue basket. Rescue personnel can select between the full-length or break-apart basket for shorter overall length when not in use. Base vehicles include the Ranger Crew XP 900, General 4 1000 EPS, Ranger XP 900 and RZR XP 1000 for the most challenging terrain.

Learn more: Businesswire.com

SVR’s Take – This approach of providing pre-set packages for specific end-use applications while still allowing additional customization is becoming more popular in the commercial UTV market. Club Car has successfully taken this approach to sell their utility vehicles to specific market verticals with their Fit-to Task series. While Polaris is targeting police and fire and rescue applications the Club Car vehicles are targeting a range of facility management applications. ACE mini-trucks has taken a similar approach.

Polaris Earnings Report: Q1 2018

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The new 2018 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 EPS helped drive ORV sales in the first quarter according to the latest Polaris earnings call.

Polaris Industries reported first quarter 2018 revenues fo $1,297 million, an increase of 12% from the prior year. Adjusted net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $69 million compared to $48 million in the 2017 first quarter. ORV/Snowmobile segment sales were up 15% in Q1 driven by improved ORV shipments of side-by-sides worldwide as demand accelerated during the quarter.(ORV includes UTVs and ATVs). The following are highlights of the Polaris earnings call related to the small, task-oriented vehicle market.

ORV/Snowmobile segment sales were up 15% in Q1 to $833 million driven by improved ORV shipments of side-by-sides worldwide as demand accelerated during the quarter
Average Selling Price of ORV was up 4%
First quarter North American (NA) retail sales were driven side-by-side sales
NA side-by-side sales were up high single digits %
Important oil and agriculture market areas are improving
Side-by-sides gained market share in Ranger and RZR brands despite less promotional spending
Ranger business grew both in units and in dollars faster than the RZR business
The RZR RS1 demand was slightly higher than anticipated but management is not ready to call it a “Grand Slam” product
Global Adjacent Markets (GAM) grew revenue by 20% to $113 million and is looking for a strategic acquisition. This segments includes commercial ORVs, Defense, GEM, Aixam, Taylor-Dunn and Goupil sales)
GAM vehicle sales increased 25% with strong performance from Aixam, Goupil and government/defense business, and PG&A sales increased 19%
International ORV/Snow sales increased 20%
GAM international sales increased by 32%
Polaris has the leading ORV market share outside of North America
Polaris increased its full year 2018 sales guidance to up 4% to 6%
- ORV/Snow is expected to increase mid-single digits %
- GAM is expected to increase high single digits %
Management addressed the latest recalls and stated that they were part of the process of improving their systems, working with the CPSC and identifying any previous outstanding thermal issues. Moving forward under the new systems in place management expects to see fewer recalls involving a smaller number of vehicles.

Learn more: Seekingalpha.com (Polaris Earnings Call Transcript)

SVR’s Take: This was another strong Polaris earnings report and the last large recall appears to be related more to the company’s previous issues than an ongoing or new problem. The company seems to be back on track with strong performance in both Ranger and RZR and introducing innovative new products like the RZR RS1. I’m curious to see what the GAM acquisition they referred to could be. After the failed Eicher-Polaris JV are they going to try to buy their way into the Southeast Asian STOV market as an alternative? In the past they have often acquired strong brands that could be grown with improved financial and engineering resources as well as expanded distribution. I previously speculated on the pros and cons of Garia as an acquisition target, which offers a luxury international brand and electric vehicles.

Textron Off Road 2018 Wildcat XX Reviews

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The 2018 Wildcat XX from Textron Off Road

The Wildcat XX has plenty of horsepower but emphasizes the suspension and handling.

While not fancy, the Wildcat XX cockpit is ergonomic and roomy and includes a customizable dash.

The 2018 Wildcat XX is Textron Off Road’s first totally new UTV for the high-end sport market since they acquired Arctic Cat. The vehicle was developed with input from Robby Gordon, Todd Romano and Speed Energy and is designed to be able to go from showroom to racing without making major changes. The interesting aspect about the Wildcat XX development is that in the middle of ongoing horsepower wars Textron decided to emphasize the suspension and handling of the vehicle rather than the horsepower. The approach is straight out of their partnership with Robby Gordon and is based on the simple idea that after a certain point the limiting factor for driving fast in challenging terrain is the suspension and handling and not the horsepower. However, the Wildcat XX still packs plenty of horsepower.

The 64″ wide Wildcat XX is powered by a 125 hp, 998cc naturally aspirated EFI engine based on Yamaha’s 3-cylinder engine used in the YXZ, and features 18″ of front and rear suspension travel. The suspension is designed to maintain the same track width throughout the travel to improve handling, cornering and stability through corners and rough terrain. The front suspension has dual A-arms with unequal lengths, a sway bar and FOX 2.5 PODIUM QS3 shocks with compression adjustment. The rear suspension has a rear trailing arm, rear sway bar and FOX 2.5 PODIUM QS3 shocks with compression adjustment and bottom-out control. Wildcat XX has 14″ of ground clearance.

Additional features include:

30″ CST Behemoth tires on 15″ aluminum KMC wheels
EPS
2WD/4WD with 4WD lock and front locking differential
Team Rapid Response clutches and CVT
Full doors
Intrusion bars
Full skidplate
Halogen high/low headlights with LED accents
Dual LCD gauge
Contoured bucket seats
4 gal. glove box
300 lbs cargo box that can fit a 32″ spare
Oversized bearings
Forged aluminum front knuckle and double shear suspension components
Pre-wired for accessories

The Wildcat XX is available in Lime Green, Satin Charcoal Metallic or Horizon Blue (optional) and has an MSRP of $20,499. Turbocharged and 4-seat versions are being planned.

Most of the following test drives were in the rocky desert environs of Barstow, California. In general the reviews are all very positive. The suspension and handling is the standout feature of the vehicle enabling precise, high speed driving through corners and whoops. The steering is precise and there is no shock fade after a hard day of riding.

The power delivery is considered smooth throughout the range and with plenty of low range performance for rock crawling. The power plant while not turbocharged is viewed as more than adequate for all types of driving conditions, though dune riders may be jealous of their turbocharged buddies. The durability of suspension components, modular frame design and easy access to the innards of the vehicle is expected to make servicing and repairs easier.

Other positives noted include nicely thought out pre-wiring for accessors, good doors, durably built and a roomy and ergonomic cockpit. In terms of drawbacks, vehicle entry can be tricky, and some may find the seatbelt positioning uncomfortable and the seats too firm. The look of the vehicle is likely to receive mixed reviews and some may want more steering feel.

Given the pricing and overall tenor of the vehicle reviews, the Wildcat XX is likely to be a success for Textron Off Road.

UTVGuide.net Test Drive and Rock Crawling Video

No shock fade after extensive hard driving
Kickback free steering
Steering may be too light for some
“…precise control over the vehicle at insane speeds over rough terrain”
Seating provides “…more secure feel than a RZR without the detriment to forward visibility that the X3 creates by placing its seats so low.”
Rattle free
Smooth operating doors and easy to use
Large cab with plenty of leg room and comfortable layout
Easy access to clutch, engine and electronics for maintenance and repair
“The engine is peppy, there is minimal body roll, and the car is incredibly agile.”
“Low-speed maneuverability is great…”
Quick and precise steering
“The car tracks straight, flies flat, and handles like a dream, never feeling tippy or overworked.”
Built for durability
Plenty fast for most driving but will likely lag behind turbocharged models on dunes

UTV Planet Test Drive

“It is leaps and bounds better than any Wildcat machine before it and its better than several other manufacturers machines available today. It’s really impressive.”
Plenty of power despite not being turbo-charged
Best suspension system of any Wildcat
Comfortable large cab and dead pedal placement
Angled center console makes for easier gauge access and visuals
The Wildcat XX look produces a love or hate reaction
“It is the best Wildcat ever produced. It blows every previous Cat away in terms of comfort, ability and durability.”

ATV.com Test Drive

Not completely sold on the look
Slightly difficult to enter because of angled bodywork
Incredibly easy to service from a racing point of view
Smooth power delivery through RPM range
“Seems to get up on top of the ridges and dance along with control and little effort.”

ATVillustrated.com Test Drive

Built like a racing vehicle
Roomy and ergonomic cockpit including flat-bottomed steering wheel, non-rattling hand holds and center console and “huge” glove box
Sturdy well-operating doors
Modular three-section frame for easy repair and servicing
Hanging engine on rubber mounts isolates engine from frame impacts
Fan fins cast into CVT pulleys improves airflows and minimized belt issues
Top speed of 75 mph
Can corner at high speeds easily
Quick turning but some might want more feel
“Floats like a desert car”
Responsive CVT
“No need for turbo. It’s not about horsepower, it’s about handling.”
“Suspension and handling on the Wildcat XX is phenomenal.”
“On the trail the Wildcat XX is VERY, VERY predictable and confidence inspiring. More so than any performance Side x Side we’ve ever driven.”

Harrison Power Sports – In-depth Vehicle walkthrough video

Larger A-arms
Double shear mountings for strength and durability
Rack and pinion with EPS rather than old Wildcat slide steering
All tires are the same size
No-tool access to reach belts and battery and remove bed
Lot of heat shields
Covered alternator
Race approved and race ready roll cage
Excellent pre-wiring and electronics

Ruthless Motor Sports – Video walk around and pros and cons after driving in Sand Hollow,, UT and Testing Low Range

Liked

Can’t say enough about the suspension. Very impressive.
No fading after 100 miles of different types of riding
Tracks through whoops (at 74 mph) and corners
Low range is impressive for rock crawling and low speed driving
Power steering is on point
Well over 100 miles from full tank
Felt fast and throttle responsive. Does not need to be a turbo

Didn’t like

Tie-rods not good enough structurally for rock crawling
Many people sat in the vehicle and didn’t like the seatbelts which sat low and irritated up high
Seats are a little bit firm

Polaris Issues Massive RZR XP 1000 Recall

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The Polaris 2014 RZR XP 1000 in Pearl Black is one of the models being recalled.

Polaris has once again had to issue a major recall of over 100,000 side-by-sides. The recall involves approximately 107,000 model year 2014 to 2018 RZR XP 1000 and RZR XP 4 1000 vehicles. The exhaust silence can fatigue and crack leading to too much heat for the heat shield to manage which in turn lead to components melting or fire. Consumers should immediately stop riding the affected vehicles and contact a Polaris dealer for a free repair. The following recall information is from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Name of product: Model Year 2014-2018 Polaris RZR XP 1000

Hazard: If the exhaust silencer fatigues and cracks, the heat shield may not manage heat, which may lead to melting of nearby components or fire.

Remedy: Repair

Recall date: April 2, 2018

Units: About 107,000

Recall Details

Description:
This recall involves Model Year 2014-18 Polaris RZR XP 1000 recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs). The ROVs have “POLARIS” stamped on the front and back grilles, and “Polaris,” “RZR,” “1000,” & “XP” stickers on the side panels. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be found on the right rear frame of the vehicle, to the rear of the engine. See CPSC.gov for specific model numbers.

Remedy:
Consumers should immediately stop riding the affected vehicles and contact a Polaris dealer for a free repair.

Incidents/Injuries: Polaris has received 30 reports of cracked exhaust silencers, including 3 reports of fire. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At: Polaris dealers nationwide since December 2013.

Manufacturer(s): Polaris Industries, Inc., of Minn.

Importer(s): Polaris Industries, Inc., of Minn.

Distributor(s): Polaris Industries, Inc., of Minn.

Manufactured In: United States and Mexico

Recall number: 18-133

Consumer Contact: Polaris at 800-765-2747 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at www.polaris.com and click on “Off Road Safety Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information. In addition, check your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the “Product Safety Recalls” page to see if your vehicle is included in any recalls. Polaris is contacting all known affected consumers directly.

SVR’s Take: This is yet another massive recall for Polaris. The company was just starting to rebound from the previous rounds of RZR and Ranger recalls. Some of these models pre-date the company’s efforts to implement a new quality system and add personnel to address issues while others are from after that effort. It appears that either the silencer component was either poorly made or not designed robustly enough to perform the task. In some ways this recall may be worse the prior ones since the management has taken steps to remedy the quality issues but they yet again have a large recall. The Polaris brand will likely take a hit from this. Occasionally the company provides some brand metrics in their presentations to analysts and it will be interesting to hear what the management says about the recall in the next earnings call.

JLG Unveils UTVs for Rental Market

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The new JLG 615G UTV developed by JLG and Textron for the rental market.

The three person JLG 315G UTV for the construction and event site rental markets.

JLG, a leading manufacturer of telehandlers, booms and aerial work platforms is entering the utility vehicle market, or at least a very specific slice of it. The 3-passenger JLG 315G and six-passenger JLG 615G UTVs were developed for the rental market. The company knows this space well from products like aerial work platforms, which is predominantly a rental market. The UTVs were developed in partnership with Textron Specialized Vehicles and based on an Arctic Cat vehicle platform. (In 2003 JLG had acquired a telehandler business from Textron.)

JLG reasons that they can better serve the rental market since they already have relationships with rental companies, and, therefore, can simplify inventory management and more easily provide parts and service. In addition, the UTVs were designed for the construction and event sites that rental companies serve. Durability, reliability and safety are important equipment requirements for these end-use applications where renters rather than owners can abuse them. Some of the key features designed with this in mind include:

Front bumper
Boot guards
Steel braided cables
Skid plates
Dupont surlyn hood
Beefed up braking system and axles engineered by JLG parent company Oshkosh
1,000 lbs dump bed that can accommodate a full skid
25 gal. under-hood storage
Contoured seats with extra shoulder room and individual headrests
Generous room for exit/egress

Other specs include:

45 hp, 695cc four-valve, single cylinder gas engine with fuel injection
Engine braking system
Electric shift-on-the-fly 2/4WD with 4WD Lock
Duramatic CVT transmission
4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
26” tires
10” of suspension travel
10” of ground clearance
1,500 lbs. towing capacity

In the future diesel versions are expected to be available.

Learn more: Compactequip.com and JLG.com

SVR’s Take: This seems like a smart way for JLG to enter the UTV market, though I think this product introduction is primarily about the company exploiting their existing distribution channel and relationships than a strong interest in entering the UTV market as a whole. This is a simple add-on to their existing product offerings and Textron is doing the heavy lifting on the product development and manufacturing end. For Textron this is another way to target the commercial segment. They already have partnerships with Caterpillar and Toro via Arctic Cat for this segment. These UTVs is another way to utilize partnerships to expand their distribution channels for commercial markets without having to develop a specific network of commercial dealers. A quick check of the leading rental companies indicate that John Deere, Kubota, Bobcat and Club Car vehicles are currently available in the rental space. Polaris has a partnership with Bobcat to develop utility vehicles. Bobcat already provides a range of equipment to the rental market.

Marc Cesare, Smallvehicleresource.com

Polaris Introduces 2019 Ranger Crew XP 1000

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The new 2019 Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 EPS in Sunset Red Metallic

Polaris Industries announced their new 2019 Ranger Crew XP 1000 with a host of improvements driven by owner feedback. The six-passenger Ranger Crew XP 1000 features a 82 hp ProStar 1000 engine, 2,500 lbs. of towing capacity, 1,750 lbs. of payload capacity and 13″ of ground clearance. Some of the key features and improvements for the 2019 Ranger Crew XP 1000 include:

High Performance On-Demand True AWD/2WD/VersaTrac Turf Mode
More rigid chassis
Redesigned heavy-duty PVT clutch system
Sealed suspension bushings
Crew-specific tuned shocks and springs
1,000 lbs. cargo box capacity
EPS
26″ tires (base model)
11″ of front and rear suspension travel
10% tighter turning radius
Thicker and more durable cut and sew seats
5″ of additional clearance for front and rear seat entry and egress
New digital/analogue gauge
New flip-up front and rear seats and new under-seat-pass-through for better storage
Double glove box
8 cup holders
Full body skid plate
Large front bumper with an integrated Polaris Glacier® plow mount as well as mounting points for lighting accessories and a Polaris winch

The Ranger Crew XP 1000 EPS comes in several trims including the base model in Sage Green with an MSRP of $16,299, the Sunset Red Metallic version for $17,4999 and the Polaris Pursuit Camo version for $17,699. The latter two include an adjustable driver seat, 27″ Maxxis MU51 tires and Aluminum Black Xcelerator 2.0 wheels in addition to their special paint and graphics.

There is also the Ranger XP 1000 EPS Northstar HVAC Edition which features the tire and wheel upgrade as well as a factory-installed heating and air conditioning system and the new, premium RANGER Pro Shield™ cab system. The cab has improved dust protection and air flow to the front and rear, crank window doors and a wiper/washer system. This model comes in Sunset Red Metallic and is available for $26,499. These models will be available at local Polaris dealers in late April.

Learn more: Businesswire.com and Polaris.com

Can-Am Launches Maverick Sport UTVs

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The new Maverick Sport UTV lineup from Can-Am targets recreational trail riders.

Can-Am announced the addition of the new 2019 Maverick Sport models to their lineup of UTVs. The 60″ wide vehicles will be available in two packages: the Maverick Sport, and the Maverick Sport DPS which has two engine options. The lineup targets recreational trail riders. “The new Can-Am Maverick Sport is the best side-by-side vehicle we have ever developed for sporty trail riding,” said Bernard Guy, Senior VP, Global Product Strategy. “With Can-Am ingenuity, awesome Rotax power and incredible handling and comfort, they’re the perfect choice for people who want to tackle off-road adventures and challenges.” The vehicle launch continues Can-Ams four year plan of releasing new models every 6 months.

The base model Maverick Sport features and specs include:

75 hp Rotax 976 cc engine with EFI
Quick Response System (QRS) CVT with high airflow ventilation and Electronic Drive Belt Protection Extra
Selectable 2WD / 4WD with Visco-Lok auto-locking front differential
Electronic hill descent control
11.5″/12″ of front/rear suspension travel
FOX 2.0 Podium shocks
12″ of ground clearance
27″ Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires
12″ Cast aluminum wheels
Dual 220 mm ventilated disc brakes with hydraulic twin-piston calipers
300 lb cargo box capacity
1,500 lb. towing capacity
Digital multifunction gauge
55W reflectors and LED taillights
Front steel bumper
Full skid plates
Premium half doors
Mudguards
Adjustable tilt steering
Available in White
MSRP: $14,699

The Maverick Sport DPS 1000, available in Can-Am Red, adds dynamic power steering and headlights with unique Can-Am LED signature, and has an MSRP of $16,499.

The Maverick Sport DPS 1000R features a 100 hp engine for an MSRP of $17,999 and is available in Can-Am Red or Sunburst Yellow.

Learn more: Can-Am.com

SVRs Take: The Maverick Sport line is essentially replacing Can-Am’s Commander lineup. The Sport line features more horsepower, more suspension travel, a slightly wider stance, significantly longer wheelbase (about 14″), upgraded transmission but only half the cargo box capacity. The Commander line had not been performing as well as the other product lines according to management comments in recent quarterly earnings calls. Expect to see four passenger and special edition Sport models to be added in the future, possibly in 6 months time, if past product line build outs are any indication.

Marc Cesare, Smallvehicleresource.com

U.S. Marines Testing Nikola Electric UTV

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The Nikola Reckless UTV on test by the US Marines.

The US Marines are testing modified versions of the Nikola NZT electric UTV. Named the Nikola Reckless UTV after a decorated Korean War military horse, Sgt. Reckless, the vehicle can be outfitted with a range of weaponry including a 7.62mm machine gun, 12.7 mm gun, 40 mm MK19 automatic grenade launcher or Javelin anti-tank guided missiles. The four-person vehicle includes an “an infra-red beam that can be used with night vision and a remote weapons system machine gun that can be controlled by a joystick anywhere in the vehicle. It’s light enough to go on a MV-22 osprey,” according to Andy Christian, Nikola’s Director of Defense. The company invested $500,000 to build four prototypes and the production military model will cost around $85,000.

The consumer version of the Nikola NZT can be configured several different ways depending on the number of motors and the size of the battery pack, which is available in 75Wh, 100Wh and 125 Wh. The most powerful four motor configuration delivers 555 hp and 4,900 ft-lbs of torque. The base model starts at $28,900. Learn more: OCRegister.com

SVR’s Take: Given the high price of the Nikola NZT, Nikola Motors is smart to target the military market that can afford the cost of such a cutting edge vehicle. Electric vehicles fit into the US military’s ongoing efforts to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Special forces in particular already make widespread use of UTVs and ATVs. An electric UTV offers several advantages that could be critical in a combat zone including reduced noise, greater acceleration and reduced maintenance. I would imagine the biggest concerns would be the range of the vehicle, charging time and what options are available for re-charging the vehicle in a combat zone.

This effort puts Nikola Motors in direct competition with Polaris Industries which has a growing defense business that is largely based on military versions of their gas-powered RZR UTVs and their ATVs. It will be interesting to see if this draws any response from Polaris. They offer an electric Ranger and have a host of non-off-road electric vehicles like GEM, Taylor-Dunn and Goupil, but they have not put much emphasis on electric UTVs based on their consumer facing websites and marketing material.

Marc Cesare, SVR

Eicher Polaris JV Shut Down

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The Multix utility vehicle, the first offering from the Eicher-Polaris joint venture.

Eicher Polaris, the joint venture between Eicher Motors of India and Polaris Industries and the manufacturer of the Multix small, task-oriented vehicle, has been shut down due to poor sales. Eicher reported that initial interest in the Multix was good but could not be sustained over the long term, especially in the rural markets. The Multix was marketed as India’s first personal utility vehicle that could be used to carry passengers or cargo. The vehicle was designed with flexibility in mind from the beginning so that it could be used as a work vehicle, a family vehicle and even a power generator for the home in rural communities.

The joint venture formed in 2012 and the vehicle launched in 2015 after a significant amount of money and resources were put into market research and product development. Management initially expected sales of 10,000 to 12,000 units that would grow to 100,000 units annually. However, the joint venture showed signs of difficulty by early 2017 and management adjusted their marketing strategy and put more resources into the effort including adding more dealers. These efforts targeted the original market, the rural customer, but failed to make inroads. Later in the year, the joint venture steered in a new direction and started targeting urban customers. Apparently this strategy did not produce enough results. Eicher and Polaris spent an estimated $60 million to bring the vehicle to market. For the last full year ending March 31, 2017 the Eicher Polaris JV reported a loss of approximately $14 million. Some people attributed the lack of adoption to conservative attitudes of the rural customer base that may have been unwilling try such a new vehicle concept. Learn more: Autoindia.com

SVR’s Take: This must be a disappointment for Polaris. A lot of time, effort and resources were put into the joint venture and the vehicle. If successful, the Multix would have been a nice addition to the Polaris international portfolio of small, task-oriented vehicle lineups like Aixam, Goupil, GEM and Taylor-Dunn. The Multix would have given them a foothold in the large and growing Indian commercial/work vehicle market and served as a potential jumping off point to export to other countries in the region. Polaris is intent on growing international sales and it is hard to believe they would abandon the Indian and Southeast Asia STOV markets altogether. One option may be to acquire an existing manufacturer.

Polaris Introduces The RZR XP Turbo S

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Marc Cesare

The new Polaris RZR XP Turbo S features 32″ tires, 16″ of ground clearance and 168 hp turbo engine.

The RZR XP Turbo S has 25″ of usable front and rear suspension travel.

Polaris introduced their new, top-of-the-line RZR, the 72-inch RZR XP Turbo S. The RZR XP Turbo S was completely “redesigned and reengineered” with a reinforced chassis, stronger axels and other strengthened components. Like other high performance RZRs this model is powered by a 168 hp ProStar turbo H.O. engine. Rather than bump up the horsepower, Polaris beefed up almost every other aspect of the vehicle. The XP Turbo S features 32″ ITP Coyote tires 16″ of ground clearance and 25% more assist in power steering. This model also has the Dynamix Active Suspension system, 19″ or 21″ of wheel travel depending on settings and 25″ of what Polaris refers to as useable travel to the skid plate. The drive system is the new Isolated Xtreme Performance True On-Demand AWD/2WD with greater front drive impact strength, improved throttle control and a redesigned clutch box “..for better air flow and decreased belt temperatures.”

Other key specs and features of the RZR XP Turbo S include:

4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc with Triple-Bore Front and Dual-Bore Rear Calipers
EPS
2.5″/3″ FOX Podium Internal Bypass Shocks with Live Valve
Premium Sparco Steering Wheel
Bolstered Bucket Seats with 4-point Harness
Aluminum Roof
Bowed 1/4 Doors
Front Blacked Out White LED Low/High w/ Accent Lights & Rear Red LED Tail / Brake / Accent Lights
Rear Wired Camera
RIDE COMMAND™ 7” Glove-Touch Display with DYNAMIX Visualizer
Built-In GPS
Bluetooth & USB Smartphone Connectivity
GoPro® Control
In-Vehicle Communications Capable
Ride Command App Integration

The RZR XP Turbo S is available in Indy Red or Polaris Blue and has an MSRP of $27,499. The vehicle will be available at dealers in mid-March. Learn more: Polaris.com

SVR’s Take: After years of manufacturers coming to market with new models with more horsepower the RZR XP Turbo S went in a different direction. They really focused on the ride and suspension as well as the ability of the vehicle to take a beating when powered by such a large engine. This introduction may signal that there are diminishing returns for increasing horsepower and/or that the rest of the vehicle features need to catch up with power of the engine. This could signal a market move towards focusing on durability, handling and creature comforts. How will other manufacturers in the market respond?

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