(ED-Kawasaki unveiled a four-seat version of the Teryx at its annual dealer meeting in Orlando, FL, earlier this week. There are four models of the Teryx4-the 750 4x4, 750 4x4 EPS, 750 4x4 EPS Camo and 750 4x4 EPS LE. We haven't had a choice to ride the new Teryx yet but should have a ride review in the next few weeks. Here is Kawi's press release on the 750 4x4 EPS. We'll also provide some information on the LE version.)
Separately, Kawasaki's all-new four-seat Teryx4 750 4x4 Rec/Utility vehicle and the renowned Electric Power Steering (EPS) system-which has wowed fans of Kawasaki's Mule and ATV models-are superb examples of modern technology.
Combined, they are much more than simply the sum of their parts.
Hop into the 2012 Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS's cockpit, buckle up, hit the starter and mash the accelerator. As you feel yourself pushed into the comfortable high-back bucket seat, you revel in the Teryx4's ultra-light steering, the sublime control it affords and the lack of steering kickback as you tackle a rutted trail with three passengers strapped in nearby, each of them grinning like kids with freshly unwrapped popsicles in their hands.
The Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS is a perfect combination of performance and ease of operation: Its additional seats mean you can take extra friends along for the ride (or transport extra help out to the work site). And with the EPS system's light, low-effort steering, the ride there and back-on fast trails and in tight situations-is exceptionally comfortable and easy.
The idea to build a four-seat Teryx wasn't difficult to conceive. But actually building it correctly was-which is why Kawasaki engineers spent more than a year testing and formulating to determine exactly how the new four-seater would be comprised. Instead of simply bolting extra seats to a standard Teryx's platform and enlarging the cockpit, engineers redesigned the unit from tip to tail, with an all-new chassis and a thoroughly reworked V-twin engine pumping out extra power for the additional loads the Teryx4 will gladly carry.
The foundation of any top-tier RUV four-wheeler-especially one with four seats and significant carrying capacity-is its frame, so Kawasaki engineers used detailed computer analysis and loads of off-road testing when developing the Teryx4's all-new square-tube steel frame. Unlike the more conventional designs found on many lighter-duty two-seat RUV models, the Teryx4 features a Double-X frame design with two X-shaped cross members bridging the box structures from corner to corner.
Like the frame, the Teryx4's 749cc V-twin four-stroke engine is also new, offering 15 percent more power than the already stout unit in the two-seat Teryx, along with all the durability to deal with the rigors of spirited fun in challenging off-road environments. The V-twin design is revered for its stump-pulling power and easy-to-harness flexibility, which makes it the perfect powerplant for a machine like the Teryx4, which thrives on instantaneous and controllable low- and mid-range response partnered with eye-opening hauling ability. In fact, engineers purposely gave the big Vee a bit of a dual personality: there's exciting, arm-straightening yank when driven solo or with a single passenger, but plenty of torque and grunt for carrying more people or heavier loads-much of it due to revised camshaft profiles and equal-length exhaust headers.
Liquid cooling-assisted by a large-volume radiator and large-diameter fan-keeps temperatures down and reliability up with help from an array of superb engineering: optimized piston-wall thickness; special surface treatments to piston pins, small and big end bearing surfaces; idealized crank journal bearing sizes; robust transmission design; and much more.
Electronic fuel injection-featuring new fine-atomizing 12-hole injectors-offers easy starts and perfect throttle response at sea level and at the higher elevations you'll want to discover again and again. The FI system offers automatic mixture compensation, automatic idle adjustment and easy, choke-free starting via a sophisticated array of sensors for inlet air pressure, throttle position, crankshaft position, rpm and coolant temperature.
Routing all that impressive and usable power to the wheels-and ground-is the latest in modern drivetrain technology: a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a category-first centrifugal clutch assembly and an electrically selectable 4WD system featuring instant-switch access to 2WD, 4WD and 4WD+Front Differential Lock system. The CVT is well known for its quick response and direct engine "feel" in sportier riding situations, where engine power is used to control the chassis while turning and in rough conditions. The key to the Teryx4's dual-mode personality is its category-first centrifugal clutch, which offers an extra degree of precision slow-speed power manipulation and smoothness, which is ideal for tricky terrain (rock crawls, etc.) or slow-speed work where precise throttle manipulation is key. The oil-bathed clutch design also contributes to improved CVT belt life by lessening shock and belt deflection.
The electronic 4WD system allows drivers to easily change between three different drive modes for most situations they find themselves in: 2WD (light steering) for maximum sporty performance, 4WD for enhanced traction while keeping steering relatively light and 4WD+Differential Lock for maximum traction situations. A dash-mounted switch makes switching between these modes easy and changes occur instantaneously so the driver remains in complete control at all times. So whether it's climbing a slippery and rocky uphill trail, negotiating a wet stream bed, hauling lumber for fixing fences on the farm or hauling butt down a wide-open two-track, the Teryx4's got the traction and drivetrain mode to handle it.
It also offers the easiest, lowest-effort and most precise steering characteristics in all of four-wheeling thanks to Kawasaki's Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. EPS offers additional damping on straights, especially on rougher surfaces and there's also less steering kickback and bump-steer in tougher going. Low-speed handling and steering ease are improved, too, which makes tricky situations and low-speed work much easier to deal with. The key to the Teryx4's light-steering nirvana comes from the same basic system used on Kawasaki's award-winning Mule-a Showa-built system that eschews a traditional power-steering pump so there's no drain on engine power. Also, the system only works when the engine is running, so there's no battery drain. Input from vehicle speed and torque sensors determine the amount of steering assistance-more during slow-speed use and less as speeds increase, just like a good sports car.
All this superb handling ability is aided by a number of factors, including a wide-track/wide-body chassis design that contributes to superb cornering characteristics. A wide track resists the body roll that accompanies cornering forces and helps the chassis cope with rough terrain at speed. The Teryx4's mid-ship engine placement also helps by centralizing the vehicle's center of mass and minimizing the inertia that accompanies direction changes.
Of course, sport-focused independent suspension helps and the Teryx4's got plenty. Again, engineers opted for a dual-mode design; that is, the suspension works in a comfortable way with four passengers aboard, but also performs like a sporting RUV in a solo mode or with a single passenger. It's a difficult combination to get right, but high-grade componentry helps out. Up front are high-performance single-chamber gas-charged and preload-adjustable shocks complemented by an anti-roll bar, which allows an ideal front/rear roll balance and added ride comfort. In back are fully adjustable shocks with piggyback reservoirs, which offer additional oil flow for cooler temperatures and more stable damping performance.
With all this speed and handling potential, excellent brakes are a must and the Teryx4 delivers in a big way. High-performance hydraulic discs up front using 200mm rotors gripped by dual-piston calipers offer exceptional feel and stopping power. The brakes are recessed within the wheels, protecting them from dirt, water and debris, while durable steel-braided lines help keep lever feel crisp and progressive. In back is Kawasaki's unique sealed internal wet brake, similar in design to the highly acclaimed disc system used on our award-winning ATVs and two-seater Teryx models. Internal components are completely sealed from mud, water, dust and debris, the result being ultra-reliable braking performance in most conditions. The combination of powerful discs up front and the sealed system in back is ideal, and contributes once again to the Teryx4's wide-ranging overall performance.
Large 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires are the largest yet available in the RUV category and offer the type of ride comfort, control and traction you'd expect from an RUV this capable in so many different environments. Their tread and carcass design help maximize forward traction while at the same time optimizing control for aggressive cornering.
The Teryx4's unique chassis dimensions help in the areas of turning, climbing and working, too. Its relatively short (compared to other four-seat RUVs) 86.1-inch wheelbase affords it a surprisingly small 16.7-foot turning radius, which makes tight turns an easy affair on trails or in cramped spaces. The unit's substantial ground clearance (10.8 inches) helps keep it from bottoming when cresting a ridge or rolling an obstacle, while high approach and departure angles (79 and 65 degrees, respectively) thanks to minimal bodywork overhang reduce the possibility of smacking the front bumper when approaching a steep slope or scraping the tail when exiting one.
Did someone mention work? The Teryx4 excels at all sorts of 9-to-5 or leisure-oriented jobs, from hauling to transportation to towing, from small jobs to really big ones. Its 250-pound-capacity cargo hold is sizeable, measuring 18 by 48 inches, with an 8.5-inch depth. The flat-bottomed space is big enough for a large cooler, spare fuel cans or other large objects and four tie-down loops help secure cargo safely. The rear wall is shorter in the center, which makes it easier to load and remove items. Towing capacity is a staggering 1,300 lbs.
Convenience features include DC sockets-one in front, another in back-providing a total of 120 watts of electrical power, while nearly 8 gallons of fuel capacity offer substantial range, enough for a long day of work or trekking. There's a drink holder for each of the four seats, while an auto-style parking brake activates the sealed rear brake setup, to aid parking even on a slope. Getting at the front suspension, coolant reservoir, air filter and electrical equipment is easy thanks to an easy-open front hood, which is part of a body package that's stylish, rugged and rugged-looking.
Those powerful and purposeful good looks start up front, with a stylish hood, beefy steel front guard, headlamp and fender design that gives the Teryx4 a no-nonsense look that says "sporty" and "functional" in the same breath. Standard doors front and rear are easy to use, look good and offer a level of mud protection. Scratch-resistant bodywork and textured paint on the ROPS framework and front guard help keep the Teryx4 EPS looking good for a long time, too.
You'll enjoy riding in the Teryx4 EPS for a good long time, too, because it's the most comfortable RUV in its class by far. Its roomy interior gives driver and passengers room to spread out, with plenty of hip, shoulder and legroom. High-backed bucket seats and three-point seatbelts offer a high degree of comfort, while urethane cushioning and cold-resistant elastic seat material provide all-day plushness. The adjustable front seats offer three positions in one-inch increments, while the back seats are mounted slightly higher than those in front to give passengers a better view forward and an easier time getting in and out. Handholds integrated into the frame give passengers extra security, while comfort mounts and an anti-cinch feature on the seatbelts helps prevent over-tightening when the belts lock during sudden deceleration (or when the tilt sensor is activated). Helping ensure riders wear their seatbelts is a handy seat-belt use reminder light, which remains lit if the driver's belt isn't buckled.
Instrumentation is top-notch and includes a multi-function electronic display that provides a ton of useful information: speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer and hour meter, clock, dual trip meters, 2WD/4WD indicator, front differential indicator light, parking brake indicator, water temp and fuel injection warning indicators, reverse indicator light, etc.-everything you need to know.
Power. Comfort. Convenience. Hauling and towing ability. Reliability. Four wheels. Four seats. And the riding ease and comfort of Electric Power Steering.
2012 Kawasaki Teryx4T 750 4x4 EPS
Features and Benefits
Key Features
- Electric Power Steering (EPS) system offers low-effort steering and extra damping at speed and in rough going
- Room for four means twice the personal payload and twice the fun. And with the rear seats mounted higher than those in front, rear-seat passengers have a better view forward-and have an easier time getting in and out
- Perfectly balanced 749cc V-twin engine with digital fuel injection offers more power, especially in the low and mid range, exactly where a four-seat RUV needs it
- All-new Double-X frame design offers more strength, rigidity and durability for the Teryx4's extra weight and higher carrying capacity
- All-new bodywork package offers good looks and durability for the long haul, with scratch-resistant material used throughout
- Sport-focused suspension using fully adjustable shocks with piggyback reservoirs front and rear offers an ideal compromise between sporty control and superb ride comfort
- Roomy interior lets driver and passengers stretch out, while ample cargo space means you can take along plenty of supplies and gear
- Short wheelbase versus the competition allows a short turning radius (handy in tight situations) and the ability to climb over obstacles that would ground longer and lower vehicles
- Superb off-road ability, including high-grade Maxxis Bighorn 26-inch tires on 12-inch rims, 10.8 inches of ground clearance, a 17-degree break-over angle and 23.6-inch water fording depth
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT) and category-first centrifugal clutch offer sporty performance and the slow-speed throttle precision needed in tricky or slow-speed conditions
- Electronic three-mode 4WD is controlled by a handy cockpit switch and allows instantaneous changes from 2WD to 4WD and 4WD with differential lock for maximum traction situations
- Dual 200mm front discs and a sealed multi-plate rear brake system help provide stopping power
- Convenience features include standard colored doors, auto-style parking brake, roomy cargo area with four tie-down loops, full instrumentation, hand-holds, two-tone seats, over fenders for mud protection, opening front hood for easy maintenance and much more
- Multi-function instrumentation offers the driver a host of important information, including speed, hour meter, fuel level and much more
