Can-Am expands Maverick, UTV line

Lengthy new 4-seat Maverick MAX with high-tech power steering unveiled

With some industry-exclusive new technologies, additional option packages and an all-new, four-seat Maverick sport side-by-side, Can-Am is continuing to fill out its UTV lineup while maintaining the company’s perpetual focus on its three corporate DNA dictates of high performance, precision handling and rider-focused designs.

The newly public BRP recently released the full details of its Maverick MAX 1000R, a four-seat sportster in the same vein as popular four-passenger models of the Polaris RZR, Arctic Cat Wildcat and Kawasaki Teryx, among others. Sporty four-seat rigs have become increasingly popular, especially in the Southwest and with riders looking to share the experience with family and friends.

Starting at $18,299, the Maverick MAX rides on a 29.5-inch longer wheelbase — 6.4 inches longer than the Polaris RZR XP 4 900 — which the company claims provides more rear-seat room than any other four-person sport side-by-side.

“As promised, we have grown our Can-Am side-by-side vehicle lineup to include the 2014 Can-Am Maverick MAX 1000R. We also outfitted both the Maverick and Commander side-by-side vehicles with an all-new Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) that further enhances handling and offers more convenience for our customers,” said Yves Leduc, vice president and general manager, North America division. “BRP now offers a highly innovative, versatile and diverse family of side-by-side vehicles for both two and four passengers that continue to strike a chord with off-road consumers around the world.”

The new Maverick MAX is powered by the familiar big-bore 976cc Rotax V-twin that powers variants of Can-Am’s Commander UTV and Outlander ATV products. Other key features include electronic fuel injection, a CVT with standard engine breaking, an automatically locking Visco-Lok front differential, tilt steering, ROPS-approved roll cage, Fox Podium X adjustable piggyback shocks, disc brakes and Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires. White is a new base color. A white with black and Can-Am Red color scheme is also available on X package models.

“It’s the best performing four-seat side-by-side on the market,” said Jerrod Kelley, a media and PR consult for BRP/Can-Am. “Before we even launched the Maverick, we spoke of being a player in all of the key segments of the market — this is just one of those steps.”

Kelley added that four-seat side-by-sides have been particularly popular in recent years, and it’s become a body style that is expected by many side-by-side shoppers.

While still shy of the 18 individual UTV models from category-leading Polaris, Can-Am is continuing to expand upon its Commander and Maverick platforms with additional models. And, judging by statements from the company, it may have more models up its sleeve in coming years.

Automotive tech, additional models

Can-Am’s new Tri-Mode DPS system brings cutting-edge automotive technology to the off-road market, with three user-selectable settings for the electric power steering system. The intent is to allow riders to tailor the steering setting for speed, trail conditions and individual preferences.

The company’s Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) system, a feature that’s been spread across its side-by-side products, now adds an ECO setting to the existing normal and sport modes. ECO limits the throttle application in an effort to improve fuel economy in certain situations.

In total, Can-Am’s UTV line includes the standard Maverick and Maverick MAX, the performance-minded Maverick X rs DPS, as well as the Commander, Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering-equipped Commander DPS, XT and Limited models.

For 2014, the company also added a two-seat Maverick X xc model — Can-Am speak for cross country-specific — with a narrower, 60-inch width. Its leaner stance is ideal for trail riders in the Midwest and East Coast riding areas in particular, as well as racers in the Grand National Cross Country racing series in the eastern U.S.

“We knew there was a demand for the Maverick both for its skill set and its look, but you don’t want to pigeonhole yourself,” Kelley said. “We were targeting the desert Southwest … but we know there is also demand from other segments in the U.S. and around the world. You don’t want to limit someone by not allowing them to drive in the woods … so an X xc version logically can achieve that.”

The Commander crossover UTV also received some tweaks for the new model year, including the all-new XT-P model that goes beyond the former XT package with added bumpers, winch kit, mud guards, painted plastic, rock sliders and beadlock wheels, among other features.

“It also has [optional] Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering, we added foil in a few key areas to reduce some cockpit heat … and then we added a new rear differential to reduce noise in the rear,” Kelley said.

Changes addressing cockpit heat and differential noise came as a result of customer feedback of the Commander. Additional updates include minor cage modifications, the addition of ECO mode as well as EPA CARB compliance.

Kelley added that, in keeping with BRP’s culture of continually developing advanced technology, it will continue innovating with exclusive technologies and the release of further ATV and UTV models.

“You can’t sit still and watch people pass you by,” he said. “The research and development and the engineering are top-notch, and that’s the reason why we invested money in such a facility. We’re industry leading and it’s for a good reason.”