UTV TEST: 2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS

Extreme-performance UTVs are all the rage these days, and the horsepower wars are on the rev limiter. Can-Am went turbo last year and increased boost for 2016. Polaris responded with the all-new RZR XP Turbo EPS. Yamaha is set to join the horsepower wars with its own extreme-performance UTV. We got a chance to test the RZR XP Turbo EPS at Dunefest, and the newest Polaris raises the performance bar to X Games Step-Up levels. Let’s take a look under the hood.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2016?
Polaris de-stroked the 999cc ProStar RZR XP by 5.5mm (from 73.5mm to 68mm), and the forged 93mm pistons have 9.0:1 compression to go with the new integrated turbocharger and a 45-percent increase in torque. The Polaris also has high-strength connecting rods, an updated 270-degree firing-order crankshaft, closed-deck cylinders, sodium-filled exhaust valves and a new oil system. The engine management system is upgraded with knock detection, boost control and a high-flow return-style fuel system. The cooling system is beefed up with dual radiators and a high-flow fan, and the liquid-charged air cooler has a high-flow electric pump.

Also, the CVT has a new targetedclutch air-cooling system to reduce clutch and belt temperatures, and the driveline shafts are upgraded to deal with the extra power and torque. The charging system is bumped to a 660watt output as well, and the battery has 575 cold-cranking amps and 44 amp-hours capacity. The Turbo is claimed to accelerate from 0–60 mph in 5.89 seconds! To stop as fast as it accelerates, the XP Turbo EPS has three-puck front and two-puck rear hydraulic calipers squeezing larger 248mm rotors. Basically, the 2015 Fox Edition became the RZR XP Turbo EPS platform, as the Turbo EPS has the same 2.5 front and 3.0 rear Fox Internal

ByPass (IBP) shocks. Front and rear torsion bars fight body roll and weight transfer generated by such hard acceleration and braking forces. The rear sway bar is updated to improve ride quality, and the re-tuned IBP shocks have five zones of progressive damping to fight bottoming and three rebound zones to eliminate bucking. Although the Turbo EPS doesn’t have the Fox Edition’s Polaris IDD gauge package, it has new seat-belt guides to prevent chafed necks and a more upright seating position. Polaris also has a new line of accessories for the Turbo and XR 1000s to take lighting, sound and storage to the next level as well.

HOW DOES COST COMPARE?
The 2016 RZR XP Turbo EPS is $24,999. The standard XP1K EPS is $20,299, while the High Lifter Edition is $23,499. Can-Am’s 2016 Maverick 1000 starts at $16,399, and Turbo Mavericks are $20,399–$23,999. Arctic Cat’s 2015 Wildcat 1000 EPS is $16,499. The 1000X EPS is $18,799, and the 1000X LTD is $20,699.

HOW FAST IS THE TURBO PROSTAR 925?
Crazy fast! Reaction to the throttle is instantaneous, and the CVT spools up quickly as well. There’s no turbo lag, and the extra torque pins you to the more upright seats. This thing hits harder than Floyd Mayweather, pulls hard and will light up the rear tires in 2WD. We didn’t have enough room at Winchester Bay dunes to top out the RZR XP Turbo, but it’s a rocket from 0 to 60 mph.

WHAT ABOUT THE CVT/AWD DELIVERY?
It’s awesome. This is the first Polaris CVT clutch designed solely for a UTV; it’s not a re-tasked ATV system. It responds rapidly like a Wildcat 1000, so it takes a little getting used to, but it hooks up and hauls, and so does the new close-ratio front on-demand4WD differential. Stronger driveline components deal with the extra torque, and the 2016 Turbo is quieter than the normally aspirated XP 1000.

HOW AGILE IS THE TURBO’S HANDLING?
Very agile yet controllable. All that power and torque plants the machine, and the front and rear torsion bars add to the solid feel. New tuning for the Fox IBP shocks allows the XP Turbo to float over hideous Oregon Dunes whoops at 55–60 mph, and the torsion bars and 90-inch wheelbase keep it tracking like it’s on rails. It’s also predictable in turns and has the power to shower lesser machines in dune roost.

HOW ABOUT THE HIGH-END IBP SUSPENSION?
It’s much improved. The Fox Racing 2.5 front piggyback and 3.0 rear remote-reservoir IBP shocks were re-tuned with five compression zones and three rebound zones, and they sport 24-position compressiondamping clickers for dialing the ride to conditions. Front/rear balance is excellent, and 16 inches of front and 18 inches of rear travel soak up dune launches well. The RZR XP Turbo flies well in the dunes; however, the Fox IBPs don’t have crossover rings for the dual-rate shock springs, so the aftermarket can make the Turbo better still.

HOW STRONG ARE THE BRAKES?
Super strong. Whereas the XP1K has twin-piston calipers all around, the XP Turbo has new steel 248mm rotors, three-piston front calipers and twin-puck rear calipers. With a machine that accelerates so hard, you want it to decelerate as quickly. The Turbo has serious pucker power, and it hauls down from speed hard, despite a 116pound weight gain over the XP 1000. The brakes feel great in Oregon’s heavy dune sand, but in harder conditions we would want a bona fide Engine Braking System.

WHERE IS THE XP TURBO HAPPIEST?
Ripping up dunes! Let those long legs loose and carve some arcs. It’s also at home at much higher trail speeds in the desert, thanks to the Fox IBP shocks and dual torsion bars, and it definitely has the power to spin taller tires than the OEM 29-inch Bighorns.

WHAT ABOUT TRAIL COMFORT?
It has also been turbocharged. Although the actual cabin is the same as the XP 1000/RZR 900’s, the more upright seats, new shoulder-harness adjusters that eliminate neck chafing and lower sound levels in the cab make for a much-improved ride. So do the re-tuned Fox IBPs. The more upright seats also let you “get up on the wheel” like a NASCAR or LOORRS racer.

WHAT’S OUR FINAL ANSWER?
Although we haven’t driven the new 2016 Turbo Mavericks, it seems there’s a new sheriff in Turbo town. With more suspension travel, horsepower and torque than the Can-Ams, the new RZR XP Turbo EPS is an incredible package of power, torque, suspension, handling, braking and overall engineering. It does everything very well and offers the best ride we’ve ever experienced from any original-equipment manufacturer.

SPECS
2016 POLARIS RZR XP TURBO EPS
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
Engine type ….. Liquid-cooled, 8-valve, DOHC, 4-stroke twin
Displacement …………………………………………925cc
Bore x stroke ……………………….93mm x 68mm (x2)
Compression ratio …………………………………… 9.0:1
Lubrication system ……………………………. Wet sump
Additional cooling …………………………………. Auto fan
Induction ……………….. Turbocharged, 48mm EFI (x2)
Starting/back-up ……………………………..Electric/none
Starting procedure …………………. Turn ignition switch
Air filter:
Type …………………………………………….Paper pleat
Access ……………………….. Tool-less, undo 5 clasps
Transmission ………………..Dual-range CVT w/ reverse
Reverse procedure……….. Move range selector to “R”
Drive system …Selectable 2WD/4WD w/ auto diff-lock
Final drives …………………………………………… Shafts
DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES/WEIGHTS
Fuel capacity ……………………………………….. 9.5 gal.
Wheelbase …………………………………………….. 90.0”
Overall length/width/height ……………119”/64”/73.75”
Ground clearance …………………………………….. 13.5”
Claimed dry weight ………………………………1,495 lb.
Bed weight limit……………………………………..300 lb.
Hitch ……………………………………………………….. No
Towing limit……………………………………………….N/A
ROLLING CHASSIS
Frame ……………………………………. Steel round tube
Suspension/wheel travel:
Front ………………….. Dual A-arm w/ prel./comp.-adj. Fox IBP shocks/16”
Rear ……………. IRS trailing arms w/ prel./comp.-adj. Fox IBP shocks/18”
Brakes/actuation:
Front …………………….Hydraulic discs/left-side pedal
Rear …………………… Hydraulic discs/left-side pedal
Parking …………………………………… Lever on console
Tires:
Front ………………………AT 29×9-14 Maxxis Bighorn
Rear ……………………..AT 29×11-14 Maxxis Bighorn
ELECTRICAL
DC outlet ……………………………………………. Console
Lighting:
Front ………………………………2 LED hi/lo headlights
Rear ………………………….. Dual LED brake/tail lights
DETAILS
Instrumentation …. Speed/odo/trip/hour/rpm/fuel/gear/clock/2WD-4WD
Colors…Graphite Crystal, Spectra Orange, Velocity Blue
Minimum recommended operator age ………………. 16
Suggested retail price ………………………….. $24,999
Contact …………………………. Polaris, (800) POLARIS