Let the games begin. With the release of the new 2013 Can-Am Maverick and the 2013.5 Wildcat X, the high performance side-by-side segment is suddenly getting very crowded.
And we couldn’t be happier.
A segment that had been dominated by the Polaris RZR XP 900 (and now the RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition; take your pick) now has some very qualified challengers in the Maverick and Wildcat X.
We talk about the Wildcat X elsewhere in this issue so here we’re going to focus on Can-Am’s Maverick.
The new-from-the-ground-up Can-Am Maverick 1000R, according to BRP, “is built to offer industry-leading performance, precision-engineered handling and a driver-focused design unlike any sport side-by-side vehicle to date.”
Can-Am touts the “innovative” Maverick 1000R engine, which, according to its numbers, is the most powerful engine within the industry while also leading its class in torque, acceleration and power-to-weight ratio.
Powering the Maverick 1000R family of side-by-side vehicles is a Rotax 1000R V-twin powerplant with 101 hp. The engine rests in a sport-tuned frame that is designed especially for the Maverick. The steel frame was engineered in a way that it offers supreme traction, athletic agility and confidence-inspiring handling, while at the same time offering improved rigidity versus the competition.
A revolutionary and compact Torsional Trailing A-arms (TTA) independent rear suspension improves traction while also reducing unsprung weight and eliminating bump steer for extremely predictable handling. A strategically designed exterior gives the Maverick side-by-side vehicle its own look, while the innovative and purpose-built performance package rewards owners with unmatched comfort, convenience and safety.
Here is a small sample of Maverick 1000R features:
Performance
• 101-hp Rotax 1000R V-Twin engine
• High-flow dynamics
• Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC)
• Dual exhaust
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Zylon-reinforced belt
• 10-gallon (37.8 L) fuel tank
Precision-Engineered Handling
• Double A-arm front suspension
• Torsional Trailing A-Arms (TTA) independent rear suspension
• Fox Podium X Performance 2.0 piggyback shocks
• Mid-engine layout
• High frame rigidity
• 13 in. (33cm) of ground clearance
• Front and rear dual 214mm ventilated disc brakes
• 12-inch center-less cast-aluminum wheels
• 27-inch (68.6cm) Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires
• Visco-Lok front differential
The Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs package includes:
• Fox Podium X Performance RC2.5 piggyback shocks
• 12-inch aluminum beadlock wheels
• Analog/digital gauge
• Custom steering wheel
• X-package seat trim and graphics
Just a little more about the engine, which is one of the big reasons the Maverick is contending for bragging rights in the high performance side-by-side segment. The new 976cc, 101-hp Rotax 1000R V-Twin engine is a liquid-cooled, single-overhead-cam powerplant with four valves per cylinder and is fed by a 54mm Bosch throttle body and two VDO Seimens fuel injectors.
The sophisticated electronic fuel injection system automatically keeps the engine’s performance at its peak, regardless of temperature or altitude. Dual exhausts ensure that distinctive sound you’d expect from a high-performance side-by-side vehicle.
When an engine breathes easier, it can produce more horsepower. So Can-Am optimized air intake, combustion and exhaust flow to improve engine efficiency. This was achieved in conjunction with increasing the flow volume of the intake plenum and independent intake runners that allow the tuning of each cylinder for optimal performance. A high-flow head to optimize the combustion chamber, thanks to larger intake and exhaust valves and an increased compression ratio (12.0:1), and high-flow dual exhaust all contribute to the more powerful and efficient engine.
The engine also features a Can-Am exclusive: Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC). The electronic throttle-by-wire iTC system offers a smooth throttle deliver even if the driver’s foot is bouncing due to the rough terrain. The iTC system—which features a rider selectable twin-mode toggle switch for throttle control—can detect unwanted bounces and then filter the input, resulting in more throttle accuracy, especially at low speed. Drivers can choose between a progressive mode (standard) and a Sport mode, which offers linear throttle control. This system also reduces the number of moving parts in the vehicle; requires no maintenance; has no cables to adjust, lubricate, or replace; and the system has an increased life span.
The Maverick 1000R is outfitted with a new frame that offers more engineered rigidity compared to its closest competition. With more torsional rigidity, a frame can improve handling by allowing the vehicle’s suspension to work properly and with increased precision.
Can-Am also unveiled the Can-Am Maverick MAX 1000R, an all-new four-seat side-by-side designed to raise both the performance and comfort levels of the modern multi-passenger off-road vehicle. The MAX configuration includes all the same class-leading performance (101 horsepower), handling and ergonomic influences of the two-seat Maverick 1000R, as well as Can-Am design elements; however, the four-seat vehicle receives its own specialized engineering to accommodate multiple passengers.
The MAX platform will be available in both a standard model and the X rs performance package, which includes Fox Podium X Performance RC 2.5 Piggyback Shocks, beadlock wheels, graphics and more.
