Last fall, Polaris took everyone by surprise by announcing the new RZR Pro R Sport with an impressive 225 hp. However, when we look at the technical specifications, we see that the engine has a displacement of 1997 cc.
In Quebec, as in many other places, the engine capacity of a side-by-side vehicle must not exceed 1000cc. In fact, paragraph 6 of article 2.0.1 of the OHV law is quite clear on this point. So, this model is not a quad under the OHV law. The Polaris RZR Pro R Sport becomes a curiosity, but nothing more.
To reach or exceed 200 hp with an engine of 1000cc or less, one must necessarily opt for a turbocharged engine. At least, that was true until now!
Nowadays, new technologies in the field of propulsion open the door to a host of possibilities. While we have pretty much reached the maximum power that can be extracted from a naturally aspirated 1000cc (or less) engine, hybrid propulsion is becoming an interesting alternative to turbocharged machines.
Segway Powersports is actively working in this direction and we can already get an overview. In 2022, the Villain family will enter the ultra-sporty side-by-side market. Right now, we can see the first gasoline-powered Villains arriving at dealerships. The 1000cc twin-cylinder engine of these models develops 105 hp, which is appreciable. This is only the beginning!
In fact, according to what we’ve learned, the hybrid version of the Villain will develop an impressive 220 hp in the 72-inch wide model and 196 hp in the 64-inch version. 220 hp! Yes, yes, you read that right! Segway Powersports is playing catch-up with the big manufacturers by establishing itself as the leader in naturally aspirated quads in the 200hp or more class.
For trail enthusiasts, fear not, I’m sure we’ll be able to easily upgrade the 196hp version of the 64-inch models to 220hp. Indeed, it’s the same powertrain. Only the programming is different. You don’t have to be a mind reader to see what’s going to happen at the dealerships!
Segway has shaken up the quad industry by opting for a hybrid propulsion system, while some other manufacturers seem to be relying exclusively on electric models. It will be interesting to see how the competition responds. It will also be very interesting to see how the Villain will perform in both its gasoline and hybrid versions.
Rest assured that the InfoQuad.com team and I will be following all this with great interest. How about you?
