SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1094818
The 2019 RZR XP Turbo S Velocity Polaris Unleashes Its Latest RZR Beast By Dan Sanchez Photos courtesy of Polaris With competition growing in SCORE’s UTV categories, manufacturers like Polaris, are continuing to push the envelope of speed and off-road capability. The latest is the Polaris RZR XP, and XP4 Turbo S Velocity performance UTV. According to Polaris, these two and four passenger models are the company’s highest performance vehicles in the 72-inch wheelbase side-by-side marketplace. “We designed the Velocity models in response to drivers seeking the ultimate combination of performance and value,” said Kyle Duea, VP of ORV marketing for Polaris. Compared to the 2018 RZR XP and XPS Turbo S, the Velocity models feature upgraded components that are manufactured to handle more off-road abuse. These include new stronger axles as well as higher-clearance control arms, and a drive system that runs cooler and is said to be three times stronger. Even the chassis is reinforced, giving the Velocity models a higher capability to withstand the abuses felt at higher speeds. While the added durability enhances the side-by-side’s capabilities, Polaris also found ways to slightly reduce the weight. By comparison, the Turbo S has a dry weight of 1,751-lbs. while the Turbo S Velocity is 1,716-lbs. The 2019 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Velocity models still utilize some of the same features as the RZR XP Turbo S models, including the 925cc, 168-horsepower, fuel-injected ProStar Turbo H.O. four-stroke engine, and Automatic PVT transmission. Four-wheel disc brakes are still a part of the Velocity as are the bolstered bucket seats with seat sliders and Polaris’ SubZero four-point safety harness. Other differences include the use of Fox 2.5 Podium shocks on non-Velocity models, to the installation of larger, 3.0-inch Walker Evans Velocity Needle racing shocks. According to Polaris, the Walker Evans shocks offer an advantage of both high and low compression adjustments to tune the shocks for various conditions. Polaris claims this will improve stability at higher speeds, especially through the “whoops” and also translate to a smoother ride for passengers. While the shocks may have been upgraded, Polaris kept the tried and tested high-clearance, dual A-arm suspension system in the front, providing 19-inches of wheel travel, and 25-inch trailing arms at the rear, giving the vehicle 21 inches of useable wheel travel. The Velocity models also utilize 32 x 10-inch ITP Coyotes tires mounted on 15-inch cast aluminum wheels that help give the vehicle its 16-inches of ground clearance. Improved stability on Velocity models is also aided with an improved power steering system. According to Polaris, the new power steering provides 25-percent more assist so that it can give the driver improved feel at higher speeds. The Velocity models also have a redesigned clutch box with improved airflow that decreases belt temperatures. Increased throttle response was also improved with new throttle mapping on the onboard computer system. The instrumentation is also different on Velocity models which sport Dual-Sweep Analog dials with a four-inch LCD Rider Information Center. The higher performance models, however, come at a premium price. Polaris has set the RZR XP Turbo S Velocity and XP 4 Turbo S Velocity with an MSRP of $25,399 and $28,399, and its only available in Titanium Metallic, which SCORE fans and racers won’t seem to mind at all. By strengthening the weak areas, it’s likely those racers in the Polaris Velocity vehicles will be more competitive and have a higher finishing rate. This also means the competition will be more crowded within the three racing categories within SCORE, but it will also make for much more dramatic racing and possibly some new faces crossing the finish line behind one of these Polaris vehicles. SJ