Feb. 8, 2010: New side-by-side additions

UTV retail sales are not tracked by any official industry group, but OEM?officials have indicated this key quad category was down overall in 2009, with some improvement coming in the latter half of the year.

Polaris Industries President Bennett Morgan noted in the company’s recent earnings report that Polaris’ best guess on UTV?retail sales is they were down industry-wide in the mid-teens in terms of a percentage. Morgan, the company’s chief operating officer, also noted Polaris saw a double-digit increase in retail sales for its UTV line in its fourth quarter over the year-ago period.

Both?Polaris and Yamaha, believed to be the top market share leaders for side-by-sides, have introduced new product into this category. See below for details on those new products.

New ranger

Polaris Industries released an all-new Ranger RZR 4 — the industry’s first four-seat sport side-by-side. It’s also the company’s first Robby Gordon edition.

“Polaris saw a market for a multi-passenger sport vehicle at a significantly lower price (MSRP: $14,999) than an expensive Sand Car or Rail,” Eric Nault, product manager for Ranger RZR 4, said in the release. “The Ranger RZR 4 fills that need for a sport side-by-side experience for multiple passengers.”

Currently available at Polaris dealerships, the Ranger RZR 4 features graphics from Robby Gordon’s TORC truck he raced at Crandon, Wis., as well as, No. 7 NSCS Toyota Camry he raced during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Labor Day Classic 500.

“At Robby Gordon Off-Road, we build the highest performance, most elite off-road vehicles in the world. I hope Polaris customers like the new Ranger RZR 4 Robby Gordon Edition as much as we do,” Robby Gordon said in the release

A full line of Pure Polaris accessories, including roofs, cabs, bumpers, brushguards, windshields and Lock & Ride products will be available, including many of the existing Ranger RZR and RZR S accessories that fit the Ranger RZR 4.

New rhino

Yamaha’s new 2011 Rhino 700 FI vehicles, including a new Sport Edition, will begin arriving at dealers this summer.

For the 2011 model, Yamaha has given the Rhino a new steering wheel and adjustable seat belt, providing more rider comfort in off-road conditions. New to the Rhino line is a White Armor Sport Edition that features fully adjustable piggyback shocks, one-piece cast aluminum wheels, injection-molded sun top, over fenders, Baja-inspired front carry bar, and a special graphics treatment. The Sport model also comes with dealer-installed LED tail lights, custom shift knob and black bed rails.

The 700-class powerplant is optimized for the Rhino with a liquid-cooled, four-valve SOHC engine providing plenty of torque to tackle rough terrain.

Additionally, the Rhino engine features a forged piston that adds durability and an aluminum cylinder body with ceramic composite coating for decreased weight, increased cooling ability and additional wear resistance.

Adding to the Rhino’s terrainability is the On-Command 2WD/4WD system with differential lock that gives the driver options with the push of a button. The Rhino 700 FI has 12.1 inches of ground clearance, and its fully adjustable and fully independent front and rear dual A-arm suspension offers more than 7.3 inches of travel.

The Rhino features a standard two-inch receiver and is capable of towing up to

1,212 pounds while the cargo bed is capable of carrying 400 pounds. The cargo bed features an assisted dump function with tilt levers on both sides of the bed.

The 2011 Yamaha Rhino will be available in Hunter Green, Red and the Sport Edition White Armor in the summer.