MachineryLink

Polaris Industries Inc. has launched a new military-grade, all-terrain vehicle featuring its TerrainArmor non-pneumatic tires (NPT). The brawny Sportsman WV850 H.O. with TerrainArmor is available in limited numbers, as long as supplies last.

The most unique features on the civilian WV850, cousin to the hundreds of military MV850s already in service, are the honeycombed NPTs.

Polaris Defense began offering NPT tires as an option for its military vehicles earlier this year. The technology is desirable for military work because the tires never go flat, tear or rip, but they negotiate terrain and trail impacts like pneumatic tires.

Polaris reports it has tested the NPTs under extreme situations, including traveling more than 350 miles after receiving fire from a 50-cal round, and driving 1,000 miles with a 3-inch railroad spike in the tread and webbing.

TerrainArmor tires offer a better center-of-gravity, improved cornering due to less pushing and the capability for the tires to be designed for a diverse range of applications, Polaris says.

The Sportsman WV850 H.O. includes:

-- A 77 hp, 850 cc, electronic fuel injected, liquid cooled engine.

-- A military-grade, fully automatic single-speed transmission including forward and reverse gears.

-- An upgraded shock package.

-- Increased cooling capacity.

-- Steel racks capable of carrying 600 lbs. of cargo—200 lbs. in the front and 400 lbs. in the rear.

-- A two-inch receiver hitch and 1,500 lbs. towing capacity.

-- A standard 3,500 lb. winch.

-- An 11.75-gallon fuel tank.

-- Wider foot wells to accommodate larger footwear.

-- Standard electronic power steering.

Find more information about the Sportsman WV850 H.O. at: www.terrainarmor.com <http://www.terrainarmor.com/…> . The 850 comes in Avalanche Gray and starts at $14,999.

(AG)

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