Off-Road Updates

Chris Hill, Managing Editor

The trend toward increased power and additional accessory options is growing with each passing year model of off-road vehicles, as farmers and rural landowners discover the potential for these workhorses. Here are a few of the latest offerings from manufacturers.

CAN-AM

The company's Defender lineup gets several updates for 2020, including a new 6 x 6 configuration model.

Power is a main feature for the new models, with the Rotax 82-hp engine with 69 foot-pounds of torque. The company says it has also reworked the frame and front end to improve protection and durability, as well as add to rider comfort.

The new Defender 6 x 6 DPS HD10 offers a quieter V-twin engine (1000 cc) by way of a thicker firewall and a "low-sound" exhaust system with smooth low intensity and a "distinct" sound. The engine has a new cylinder head that increases airflow.

A recalibrated CVT, the company says, has cut back shift line by 500 rpm to reduce operation noise during heavy acceleration. The vehicle features a multitraction mode for 4 x 4 and true 6 x 6 operation.

The Defender 6 x 6 DPS HD10 can tow up to 3,000 pounds and features a cargo bed of 4.5 x 6 feet, which Can-Am says is double the capacity of the regular Defender cargo box. The cargo box also is convertible, with sides that remove to create a flatbed setup.

Additional features for the Defender series include:

> Vehicle protection: a front steel bumper and upper bumper plate; revised Dual Phase steel frame reinforced and lightened by 5 pounds with up to 30% more rigidity than previous models; improved ride quality with a new suspension calibration and new front and rear 64-inch arched A-arms to give extra clearance; new brake-holding mechanisms to improve operation on hills.

> Design: new fascia; redesigned grill and hood; certain models have either a 4.5-inch digital display or a 7.6-inch display with a keypad (X mr, XT-P and Lone Star).

Find more details on the Defender series at can-am.brp.com/off-road/2020/defender-us.html.

Can-Am also has expanded its Defender Farm Test Program to five U.S. states and five Canadian Provinces.

The free program, which includes drop-off and pickup, consists of a 24-hour period in which farmers and landowners can use the side-by-side vehicles.

States and provinces that are part of the program include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec.

Details and sign-up are available at can-am.brp.com/off-road/info/defender/24h-defender-farm-test.html and https://www.brp.ca/….

POLARIS

Polaris has launched a series of four accessory packages for its Ranger lineup.

The Craftsman Collection offers eight accessories designed by DIY Network's Barnwood Builders Mark Bowe. These include Polaris PRO HD 4,500-pound winch with rapid rope recovery; Lock and Ride tool rack; Lock and Ride chainsaw mount; Lock and Ride storage box; Lock and Ride bed extender/divider; cargo bed mat; Pro Armor 33-inch combo LED light bar; Pro Armor wheel and tire set: Harvester and Buckle, Matte Black.

Tony Vandemore, waterfowl hunter and Habitat Flats co-owner, helped design the Waterfowl Collection that includes eight accessories: Polaris PRO HD 4,500-pound winch with rapid rope recovery; front hood storage rack; Lock and Ride CargoMax System; in-cab gun mount; Work Beacon LED light; Pro Armor 2- X 2-inch Cube LED spotlights; Pro Armor wheel and tire set: Mud XC, Shackle, Matte Black.

American rodeo champion Trevor Brazile designed the Ranch Collection that features 10 accessories. These include Polaris PRO HD 6,000-pound winch with rapid rope recovery; rear brushguard; upper-front brushguard; eight-vent heater and defrost system; Rigid SR-Series 10-inch spot LED light; Work Beacon LED light; Lock and Ride bed extender/divider; Lock and Ride tip-down headache rack; dual-bin underseat dry storage box; Pro Armor wheel and tire set: Buckle (Accent and Dual-Threat).

Professional hunters Lee and Tiffany Lakosky designed the Big Game Collection with seven accessories. These include Polaris PRO HD 6,000-pound winch with rapid rope recovery; eight-vent heater and defrost system; Lock and Ride Kolpin Rhino Grip PRO; front hood storage rack; Work Beacon LED light; Pro Armor 33-inch combo LED light bar; Pro Armor wheel and tire set: Matte Black and Attack 2.0.

More details are available at www.polaris.com/rangercollections.

MAHINDRA

Mahindra Automotive North America has created an automatic transmission model of its Roxor off-road vehicle. This machine is distinctive for its design reminiscent of an early-model Jeep.

The Roxor A/T has a boxed-steel frame with a Mahindra turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine. The company says user feedback motivated it to add the automatic transmission for industrial and off-road uses.

The vehicle features a six-speed hydraulic-actuated transmission with a transmission electronic control module to match torque demand, as well as adaptive control that "learns" driving patterns to provide consistent performance across operation conditions.

Mahindra reports an MSRP starting at $18,999. A limited package that includes three color options, custom hood wrap, ROPS and black matte grill is available for $19,599. More details at https://app.roxoroffroad.com/…

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