UTVs have come a long way over the years and the scene is bigger than ever. Arguably, the small off-road vehicle trend started with golf carts getting modified for dirt use. Then, UTVs popped up for industrial and farm use. The Yamaha Rhino lead the charge and suddenly, they were being modified as well. Long travel suspensions, reinforced cages, hopped up motors, the list goes on. The UTV manufacturers noticed the things their vehicles were being used for and started to develop rigs that rolled off the assembly line ready to play in the dirt, not work in it.
Recently released, the Can-Am Maverick X3 is the alpha of the pack. Boasting 154 horsepower, up to 24-inches of rear wheel travel and available with the widest stance in-class stance at 72-inches (for X RS models only), the Maverick X3 checks off all the boxes for a high-end dirt dominating machine. The X3 comes in three different models with various levels of performance and pre-installed accessories – Standard X3, X3 X DS and top dog, the X3 X RS.
All the models come with a turbocharged and intercooled 900cc Rotax A.C.E. engine that pumps 154 horsepower at 7,500 rpms and 113 foot pounds of torque at 7,000 rpm. Those stats combined with Can-Am’s QRS-X constant variable transmission (CVT) allows the X3 to rocket from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. For better efficiency from the turbo to intake, Can-Am’s proprietary new turbo is coupled directly with the new exhaust manifold. The CVT is specifically designed to maintain optimal engine rpm while reducing turbo lag and increasing throttle response.
The X3 comes standard with Fox 2.5 Podium QS3 shocks and 20-inches of rear wheel travel. The X3 X DS uses Fully Adjustable Fox 2.5 Podium RC2 Shocks. Both have ground clearance that measures off at 14-inches and wheelbase sets in at 102-inches from center hub to center hub. The rear suspension on all models is Can-Am’s new TTX system and is touted as “Best In Class.” The TTX rear suspension system uses a trophy truck style trailing arm with three additional links per side to regulate wheel toe during extreme wheel travel. The X RS is pushed further; using Fully Adjustable Fox 3.0 Podium RC2 shocks with built in bypasses. The bigger shocks allow the rear of the X RS to get 24-inches of wheel travel and set the vehicle up to have 15-inches of ground clearance.
The entire vehicle is designed to put the driver in the heart of the vehicle. The Ergo-Lok cockpit is filled with racecar inspired seats that have four ways of adjustment; 2-inches in height and 6-inches in slide. The steering wheel is D-shaped and has the ability to tilt up or down 25-degrees. Everything is designed to be close at hand for the driver and co-pilot. The instrument cluster is both analog and digital, giving all the information the driver needs while romping through the rough.
The ultra-light and rigid chassis of the rig is built from Dual Phase 980 Steel. The chassis is designed so that it has 53-percent better torsional stiffness and is 20-percent lighter than the nearest competitor. Under the belly of the chassis, a full-length High Molecular Weight (HMW) skid plate protects components and occupants alike.
Dirt grabbing duties are handled by 28-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 six-ply tires wrapped around 14-inch aluminum wheels. All are set up as non-directional, making tire rotation a breeze.
The Can-Am Maverick X3 is the pinnacle of factory UTV performance. The company has built exceptional vehicles for years and has now produced the most feature packed UTV available today. The Maverick X3 starts off at $22,999. Visit Can-Am’s website for more details.
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