Oct. 15, 2007 – Big Red a result of Honda’s shared technology

With the recent announcements of the 2008 TRX700XX open class sport quad and, at long last, the 2009 Big Red UTV, Honda is hoping to cash in on two popular trends in the market.
About the highly anticipated 2009 Big Red, Tim Patnode, Honda’s ATV and PWC media coordinator, told Powersports Business it was the result of intensive market studies and at least one previous UTV prototype, including one with a track drive system. He said the vehicle includes shared technology from the company’s automotive and ATV products.
“Our machine is sporty, powerful and multifaceted,” he said. “We think its benefits will appeal to a wide range of customers.”
Patnode said the Big Red required a significant investment in development time.
He also said Honda expects the 700XX to quickly become one of the company’s top-selling ATVs.
Patnode called the new sport quad a flagship model and said “the XX is much more than just a sport ATV with a big engine … the exceptional power combined with its unique final drivetrain layout and specially designed independent rear suspension give it unequalled rideability and acceleration capability, especially on rough, choppy or uneven terrain.”
The XX is powered by a 686cc single-cylinder, the same displacement as Yamaha’s Raptor 700R, which is the industry’s top-selling sport quad and will be Honda’s top competitor for sales.
Patnode added that the XX designation was intended to convey a sense of something new with “xtraordinary” and “xceptional” characteristics.
The new model was criticized in some online message boards as unusual at best and ugly at worst, but Patnode said it received a positive reaction at the company’s dealer meeting and said he’s confident customers will be impressed when they see it in person.