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Performance side-by-sides are like the sports cars of yesteryear in more ways than one. Not only are they a ton of fun, but right now, the industry is enjoying an old-school horsepower war. There’s a new top dog, too, as Polaris tossed a turbo on the RZR Pro R‘s 2.0-liter four-cylinder to achieve a walloping 275 hp.
The new king-of-the-hill is called the RZR Pro R Boost, and it makes 50 hp more than the naturally aspirated variant. That model was the benchmark not long ago, but it was outgunned by the 240-hp Can-Am Maverick R. Kawasaki’s 250-hp Teryx H2 hit the scene just last year, and now, Polaris has reclaimed its crown. (Rest assured: They’re all incredibly quick.)
Polaris isn’t messing around with some itty-bitty whirler. Instead, it’s tacking on a 60-millimeter Garrett turbo that’s supposedly engineered to develop peak performance up to 10,000 feet of elevation. Additionally, Polaris claims that the max output of 275 hp at 7,000 rpm and 223 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm is possible in ambient temperatures up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Top speed remains unchanged at 92 miles per hour, but it likely gets there quite a bit quicker.
Polaris
Dune warriors will be glad that Polaris hasn’t left the rest of the drivetrain alone to deal with the extra power. The engineering team placed major emphasis on cooling, as there’s a new dual-radiator setup that’s better for the engine, turbo, and transmission. What’s more, there’s a new high-capacity clutching system with better airflow. Polaris specifically says that it added cooling fins and a larger clutch design that should help extend the life of the ever-precious CVT belt.
Further downstream of the turbo 2.0-liter, the RZR Pro R Boost touts tougher, reinforced driveline components—think half shafts, which love to snap at the worst times. The front drive system is apparently beefier as well. That last bit is great news for folks who’ve had related problems with the “regular” RZR Pro R’s front diff in the past.
And while the powertrain is obviously the selling point here, the top-shelf RZR still rocks Dynamix suspension with rear bump control on Ultimate models and full-fledged Dynamix DVS on Ultra models. For those who don’t speak Polaris, that gets you active sway bar links that adjust up to 200 times per second, helping the rig to be extra responsive to the terrain. Anyone splashing for the Ultra model also gets a carbon fiber hood and seat bezels, an MPI GT steering wheel, and 32-inch BF Goodrich tires.
Just be prepared to pay for such a mighty machine. The RZR Pro R Boost starts at $49,999 and $53,999 for the two- and four-door Ultimate models, respectively, while the Ultra trim costs $52,999 and $56,999. In case you had any doubt, that makes this Polaris far and away the most expensive side-by-side on the market, as well as the most powerful.
Polaris
Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com
From running point on new car launch coverage to editing long-form features and reviews, Caleb does some of everything at The Drive. And he really, really loves trucks.
