More Power, Mid-Size, an Electric Ranger and Two-Up Comfort Lead the 2010 Line

With ATV sales sagging industry wide, and the economy south of the border in one of its worst slides since the Great Depression, off-road market leader Polaris is showing no signs of letting off the gas. This past July, the Minnesota manufacturing giant launched its 2010 offerings to its dealer network, and gave North American editors a first look as well. Leading the pack was a dramatically enhanced Ranger line, with more power and new models for yet untapped markets.

From 30,000 feet, the strategy for Polaris in 2010 is apparent - focus on the core (read Ranger), bring more value to the line, and explore high potential emerging markets. Fortunately for the Roseau maker, the heart of their ATV line, the new Sportsman XP series, is still relatively new, with lots of potential for subtle enhancements over the next several years. That leaves time and resources available to be dedicated elsewhere, and that destination for 2010 was clearly the top selling Ranger line. Here’s a closer look.

More Power
With the wild success of the Ranger XP, it seems Polaris can do no wrong in the side-x-side market. What started out as a late night engineering project nearly 15 years ago, has since turned into a sales juggernaut, and now represents the biggest selling line of vehicles for Polaris. With independent suspension, amazing ride quality and huge payloads, improving the Ranger is no easy task, but you can rarely go wrong when you add more power to the mix, and that’s just what Polaris engineers did for 2010.
Pop the seat and you’ll now find 800 cubes lurking within the biggest Ranger models, including the HD, XP and 6x6. The new 800 twin pumps out 46-horsepower, 15-percent more than the previous 700 mill, giving the core XP model a top speed of 53mph.  Polaris also bumped up the effort in the 500 caliber Ranger with HO power. Here you’ll experience 13-percent more power at 36-ponies and a new top speed of 47mph.
Despite all the goodness of the Ranger line, there has also been some nagging complaints, with one of the most prevalent being drivetrain noise. From exhaust rumble, cab rattles and transmission whine, what the Ranger line delivers in capability, it lacks in refinement. A portion of that has been addressed for 2010, with an all-new, low noise transmission available on top end models. The new gearbox is stronger and 30% quieter and is especially noticeable during deceleration, where the older design would whine and chatter. Cab users will likely notice this improvement even more so.
Available power steering is also now an option for top-end Rangers. The electronic power steering system (EPS) was first introduced on Polaris quads and now makes its way into the Ranger line. Available as standard equipment on the 800 HD and as optional goods on the XP, the system is especially beneficial during slow speed maneuvers. The system also varies the level of assistance versus speeds, but we’d still like to see less assistance at high speeds and more “feel” through the wheel.

Less Ranger
Despite all the power upgrades at the top of the Ranger line, the big news comes near the bottom of the line, in the form of an all-new mid-size Ranger 400. Perhaps one of the biggest complaints that current and would be Ranger owners have, is the sheer size of the vehicle; it’s big and will nearly swallow an entire garage stall. The 2010 Ranger 400 shaves the dimensions of its full size brethren without sacrificing much. While visually the new mid-size buggy appears much smaller, on paper it tells a different story, coming up just 6-inches shorter than a full-size XP; 3.5-inches narrower; 3-inches shorter at the roll bar in height, and touts a wheelbase that is 4-inches shorter. Yet while the dimensions are closer than we would have guessed, it’s the illusion cast by the new 400 that will surely help it overcome the size objection from would be customers.
Powered by the 455cc single cylinder liquid that has been in the Polaris parts bins for several years now, we know the 29-ponies will be reliable. Polaris claims the new “little” Ranger will reach top speeds of 40mph, will heft a load up to 1000-pounds and rolls on full independent suspension. Yet what’s really impressive is the price, at just $9,999 Canadian/ $7,999 U.S., the Ranger 400 is nearly $2,000 less than the larger 500 HO while sacrificing only 500-pounds in payload and 250-pounds in towing capacity. Look for a full ride review in a future issue of ATV World.

Edison’s Ranger
Okay we know Thomas Edison didn’t discover electricity, but if he were around today and was buying a new Ranger, this is the buggy he would choose. The new 2010 Ranger EV is a 30-horsepower electric powered vehicle. Yeah, that’s right, electric! This is sure to make the golf cart at the local country club extremely jealous. With eight 12-volt batteries harnessed to a single motor, the Ranger EV is said to reach a top speed of 25mph and deliver a range of up to 45 miles.
Based on the new mid-size Ranger chassis, the Ranger EV touts independent suspension on all four corners, aggressive turf tread tires, and a three position performance switch giving the EV three power options. The high range serves up maximum speed and fast starts but will sacrifice battery life; low range is for pulling and the Max range will deliver maximum battery life, and limits top speed to just 15mph.
The load capacity and towing capabilities are ranked equal to the new Ranger 400, but the vehicle does tip the scales a full 650 pounds heavier at 1,700 pounds due to the massive arsenal of batteries on board. A full recharge takes 8 hours via a 110 outlet, and with three colors to choose from, including Mossy Oak Break Up pattern, Polaris is looking to target a broad range of users that want to kick the octane habit.

XP for Two
When it comes to Polaris quads for 2010, much of the line-up returns unchanged. The top gun Sportsman XP models are back with bold new graphics and available power steering, and the sport directed Outlaw models return, status quo. But in the two-up category, which appears to be one of the few ATV markets currently showing signs of life, Polaris has delivered a host of changes including two new XP based touring quads, an XP based X2 model and a value priced Sportsman 500 HO Touring.
Both the 850 and 550 Touring models are based on the in-line powered XP chassis with double a-arm front suspension, and both models feature standard EPS power steering. The biggest news with both, aside from being in the XP chassis, is a new Comfort Ride passenger seat that features an adjustable coil-over shock seat suspension that delivers a little over an inch of travel. While it may not sound like much, the added comfort and confidence it delivers to the passenger is greatly multiplied. The preload is also adjustable for the seat suspension, so you can adjust firmness to passenger weight and/or terrain.
The Sportsman 550 X2 is also new for 2010, once again converting the multi-purpose cargo and people hauler to the newer XP chassis. The only two-up model remaining in the older Sportsman chassis is the 500 HO Touring, which actually has taken a few steps backward in technology, in hopes of attracting more buyers through an attractive $8,999 MSRP, $1000 less than the 500 EFI Touring model from 2009.

Fresh Look in Value
The final area where Polaris has placed added emphasis for 2010 is in the arena of value. With ATV sales falling dramatically, a sour economy, and consumers taking a long hard look at where and how they spend their money, Polaris is not only placing greater emphasis on price point models, but has done so with a fresh new look.
Three models in the entry segment have gotten a face lift for 2010, including the two-wheel drive, utility based Trail Boss 330, its sportier sibling, the Trail Blazer 330, as well as the four-wheel drive, sport utility favorite for many years, the Scrambler 500 4x4. These fresh look models join the already value conscious Sportsman 300 and 400 models as well as what many consider the best value in full-size utility quads, the Sportsman 500 HO, for what could be the most exhaustive value line of ATVs on the market.
Look for complete ride reports in future issues of ATV World magazine on the new Ranger 400, Ranger EV as well as the new full-size Sportsman Touring models soon.