The Polaris RZR (Often pronounced as POLARIS RAZOR), is a sport side-by-side produced by Polaris Industries. When launched in 2007 as a 2008 model, it was officially known as the Ranger RZR, as it was marketed as a sub-model of the larger, work-oriented Ranger. As the RZR gained popularity, Polaris eventually dropped the Ranger designation and positioned the RZR as a stand-alone model.
Civilian models:
Military models:
U.S. Special Operations Command, (USSOCOM), placed an order with Polaris Defense in September 2013 for up to 1,500 MRZR-2 (2-seat) and MRZR-4 (4-seat) machines. [2] A big drawback of these new small military vehicles was that they retained their original gasoline engines, which are incompatible with standard military JP-8 fuel. In terms of logistics, two different fuel types are undesirable. As few such machines see combat use, and civilian users are uninterested in running them on diesel, an engine change was deemed unlikely. [2]
In November 2016, the U.S. Marine Corps signed a $2.5 million contract with Polaris to deliver 144 MRZR-D vehicles. Called the Utility Task Vehicle (UTV), it is designed to be diesel-powered and can run on JP-8 fuel. The Marines bought the unarmored vehicles because they can fit inside an MV-22 Osprey, enabling them to be deployed from long distances, to provide logistics support to ground combat units, assisting them to travel and transport supplies quicker and easier than previously on foot. The vehicles can carry four marines and have a small cargo bed capable of carrying 1,500 lb (680 kg) of payload. Plans are to field 18 MRZR-Ds per infantry regiment. The vehicles were delivered from late-January to April 2017. [3] [4] [5]
U.S. Army soldiers with Special Operations Task Force / South also used Polaris RZR 800 Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicles (LT-ATV), internally transportable by CH-47 Chinook helicopter, and rapidly off-loadable, during operations in 2010 in the Maruf District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
The Royal Navy has procured a batch of Polaris MRZR-D4 UTVs for the Royal Marines and a version of the MRZR has been in service with UK Special Forces for a number of years [6]
Argentina 
Germany 
Hungary 
El Salvador 
India 
Lebanon 
New Zealand 
Portugal 
Romania 
Thailand 
Turkmenistan 
United Kingdom 
United States 
For 2010, Polaris developed their own engine for the RZR, known as the ProStar. [18] Unlike the previous engine, which had the exhaust cooled by airflow, the ProStar equipped RZR connected the engine to the exhaust header pipe in the front of the engine, before making a 180 degree turn and exiting at the rear of the vehicle. [18] This design creates a hot spot directly behind passengers that can degrade components and ignite debris, fuel and plastic panels. [18] Customers soon reported plastic panels between the passengers and the engine were melting and smoking and Polaris' safety director at the time believed the vehicle should be recalled. [18] However, no recall was performed, with Polaris issuing a service bulletin which does not require Polaris to issue notice to consumers or the Consumer Product Safety Commission. [18]
In July 2014, an 11-year-old girl from Texas suffered 3rd and 4th degree burns on 60% of her body when the Polaris she was riding in tipped over and ignited. [19] Her right leg and left foot were later amputated. [19] A 15-year-old girl was killed when the RZR she was a passenger in caught fire in July 2015. [19] In September 2016, two Arizona women were killed when their Polaris tipped over and sparked a fire. [19]
In April 2018, Polaris was fined a record $27.5 million by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for two 2016 late-reporting claims relating to a fire risk. [20] The CPSC alleges Polaris had received reports of 150 RZR fires, including the death of the above-mentioned 15 year old passenger, [21] 11 reports of burn injuries and a fire that burned 10 acres of land, but failed to immediately notify them. [20] Over the years, Polaris has recalled more than half a million RZR's for manufacturing defects that could lead to fires, burns or death. [22] However, owners of RZRs are continuing to report fires on vehicles that been previously repaired, including total-loss fires. [22] [23]
In May 2019, a 23-year-old man from Idaho suffered fatal burns when the RZR he was riding in burst into flames, [24] despite the 2017 RZR receiving the repairs under the 2018 recall. [18] [25]
| RZR 570 | RZR 800 | RZR S 800 | RZR XP 900 | RZR XP 1000 | RZR S 900 | RZR S 1000 | RZR XP Turbo | RZR XP Turbo S | RZR PRO XP | RZR Turbo R | RZR Pro R | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Year Debut | 2012 | 2008 | 2009 | 2011 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 | 2022 | 2022 |
| Horsepower | 45 | 52 | 56 | 88/96 | 107 | 75 | 100 | 144 | 168 | 181 | 181 | 225 |
| Displacement (cc) | 567 | 760 | 760 | 875 | 999 | 875 | 999 | 925 | 925 | 925 | 925 | 1997 |
| Width | 50 | 50 | 60 | 64 | 64 | 60 | 60 | 64 | 72 | 64 | 74 | 74 |
| Wheelbase | 77 | 77 | 77 | 81.4 | 90 | 79 | 79 | 90 | 90 | 96 | 96 | 104.5 |
| Length | 107.5 | 102 | 106 | 108 | 119 | 105 | 106 | 119 | 122 | 126 | 128 | 136.5 |
| Ground Clearance | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13.5 | 11 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 16 | 14.5 | 16 | 16 |
| Front Tire Size | 25 x 8-12 | 25 x 8-12 | 26 x 9-12 | 27 x 9-12 | 29 x 9-14 | 26 x 8-12 | 27 x 9-12 | 29 x 9-14 | 32 x 10-15 | 30 x 10-14 | 32 x 10-15 | 32 x 10-15 |
| Rear Tire Size | 25 x 10-12 | 25 x 10-12 | 26 x 12-12 | 27 x 11-12 | 29 x 11-14 | 26 x 9-12 | 27 x 11-12 | 29 x 11-14 | 32 x 10-15 | 30 x 10-14 | 32 x 10-15 | 32 x 10-15 |
| Front Wheel Travel | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13.5 | 16 | 12.25 | 12.25 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 22.25 | 22.25 |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 9.5 | 9.5 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 13.2 | 13.2 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 22.4 | 24.5 |
| Dry Weight (lbs.) | 970 | 945 | 1,000 | 1,190 | 1,379 | 1,148 | 1,235 | 1,495 | 1,751 | 1,759 | 1,943 | 2,085 |
Numbers above are for the first model year available. Units in inches unless otherwise noted. Numbers are manufacturer's where available.
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle is a family of light, four-wheel drive, military trucks and utility vehicles produced by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles previously performed by the original jeep, and others such as the Vietnam War-era M151 Jeep, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle, and other light trucks. Primarily used by the United States military, it is also used by numerous other countries and organizations and even in civilian adaptations.
The Saab 900 is a mid-sized automobile produced by Swedish manufacturer Saab from 1978 until 1998 in two generations: the first from 1978 to 1994, and the second from 1994 to 1998.
Polaris Inc. is an American automotive manufacturer headquartered in Medina, Minnesota, United States. Polaris was founded in Roseau, Minnesota, where it still has engineering and manufacturing facilities. The company manufactured motorcycles through its Victory Motorcycles subsidiary until January 2017, and currently produces motorcycles through the Indian Motorcycle subsidiary, which it purchased in April 2011. Polaris produced personal watercraft from 1994 to 2004. The company was originally named Polaris Industries Inc. and was renamed in 2019 to Polaris Inc.
An all-terrain vehicle (ATV), also known as a light utility vehicle (LUV), a quad bike or quad, as defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is a vehicle that travels on low-pressure tires, has a seat that is straddled by the operator, and has handlebars. As the name implies, it is designed to handle a wider variety of terrain than most other vehicles. It is street-legal in some countries, but not in most states, territories and provinces of Australia, the United States, and Canada.
BRP Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, side by sides, motorcycles, and personal watercraft. It was founded in 2003, when the Recreational Products Division of Bombardier Inc. was spun off and sold to a group of investors consisting of Bain Capital, the Bombardier-Beaudoin family and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Bombardier Inc., was founded in 1942 as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée by Joseph-Armand Bombardier at Valcourt in the Eastern Townships, Quebec.
An off-road vehicle (ORV), sometimes referred to as an off-highway vehicle (OHV), overland vehicle, or adventure vehicle, is considered any type of vehicle capable of driving off road on non-paved surfaces, such as trails and forest roads that have rough, uneven, and low-traction surfaces.
A product recall is a request from a manufacturer to return a product after the discovery of safety issues or product defects that might endanger the consumer or put the maker or seller at risk of legal action. Product recalls are one of a number of corrective actions that can be taken for products that are deemed to be unsafe.
Bandvagn 206 is a tracked articulated, all-terrain carrier initially developed and manufactured by the Swedish company Hägglund & Söner, and subsequently by BAE Systems Hägglunds, for the Swedish Army. It consists of two units, with all four tracks powered. It can carry up to 17 people, 6 in the front compartment, 11 in the rear. The trailer unit can be adapted for different uses.
Six-wheel drive is an all-wheel drive drivetrain configuration of three axles with at least two wheels on each axle capable of being driven simultaneously by the vehicle's engine. Unlike four-wheel drive drivetrains, the configuration is largely confined to heavy-duty off-road and military vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, armored vehicles, and prime movers.
A Skid Unit is the common name used to refer to a complete self-contained fire fighting apparatus designed for use on/in commercially available vehicle platforms. Vehicles such as pickup trucks, flat bed trucks, vans, off-road vehicles, trailers and others can easily be fitted with a proper size skid unit for a variety of fire fighting operations. There is virtually no limit to size or performance capabilities. Fire operations can include rural field operations, forest fires, brush fires and other situations in which a small, highly mobile vehicle is necessary to reach the location of the fire ground operations in rough or otherwise inaccessible terrain.
Arctic Cat is an American brand of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles manufactured in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The company was formed in 1960 and is now part of Textron Inc. Arctic Cat designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and related parts, garments, and accessories.
The Yamaha Rhino was an American off-road vehicle produced by Yamaha Motor Company from 2004 to 2012. Built at Yamaha’s factory in Newnan, Georgia, they could be equipped with either two or four-wheel drive. As a two-seater side-by-side, the vehicle was classified as a utility task vehicle (UTV) or recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV).
The M35 2½-ton cargo truck is a long-lived 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck initially used by the United States Army and subsequently utilized by many nations around the world. Over time it evolved into a family of specialized vehicles. It inherited the nickname "Deuce and a Half" from an older 2½-ton truck, the World War II GMC CCKW.
A side-by-side vehicle, is an off-road vehicle with a minimum of two seats positioned side by side and enclosed within a roll cage structure. They have a minimum of four wheels and are operated by foot controls and a steering wheel. Depending on use and application they can also be called a utility task vehicle, utility terrain vehicle (UTV), recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV), or multipurpose off-highway utility vehicle (MOHUV).
The Oshkosh M-ATV is a mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle developed by the Oshkosh Corporation for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program. Intended to replace M1114 HMMWVs (Humvee), it is designed to provide the same levels of protection as the larger and heavier previous MRAPs, but with improved mobility.
Can-Am is a Canadian subsidiary of Bombardier Recreational Products, once part of Bombardier Inc. Its products include ATVs and side-by-side vehicles. It was founded in 1942 as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée by Joseph-Armand Bombardier in Valcourt, Quebec, Canada.
In relation to motorsport, Group T4 is a set of technical specifications for modified production cross-country side-by-side vehicles used in off-road Cross-Country Rallying. The group is governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and defined in appendix J, article 286a of its International Sporting Code. The vehicles are modified for competition purposes from vehicles manufactured in numbers greater than 250 in a 12 month period. They must be road legal, but typically differ from the 'cars' defined in Group T1 and Group T2 by a much lower minimum weight (900 kg)and no requirement for parts such as a windscreen or windows. The vehicles must be powered by one engine and without driving aids such as traction control or ABS. Though the vehicles do not need to be homologated, a reference vehicle needs to be provided to the FIA for approval.
SuperATV is a United States based privately owned company founded in 2003. The company sells aftermarket products for Utility task vehicles (UTVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). SuperATV is a family-run business located in a small Indiana town. The business has grown substantially from its founding to the current day.
The Ideal Motors CATV is a Sri Lankan military light utility vehicle produced by the Sri Lankan company Ideal Motors for the Sri Lanka Marine Corps. It was developed jointly by Ideal Motors and the Marines with technical assistance of Mahindra.
US military soft-skinned vehicles introduced after 1945 | |
|---|---|
| 1⁄4–1⁄2 ton vehicles | |
| 3⁄4–13⁄4 ton vehicles | |
| 21⁄2–7 ton trucks | |
| 8–16.5 ton trucks | |
| Tank transporters | |
| Tractor trucks | |
| Tracked tractors & carriers | |
| Specialist vehicles | |
| Amphibious vehicles | |
| All-terrain vehicles | |
