Dirt Toys

46 DIRT TOYS | MARCH 2017 INDUSTRY DIRT CUB CADET EXPANDS UTILITY VEHICLE LINE WITH NEW CHALLENGER MODELS THAT RAISE THE BAR ON CAPABILITY, CUSTOMIZATION, DESIGN Cub Cadet announced the launch of two new utility vehicle models designed around the consumer with capability and customization in mind. Available at Cub Cadet independent retailers, the new Cub Cadet Challenger 550 and 750 models are the latest additions to the Cub Cadet utility vehicle fami- ly—providing industry-leading standard features and limitless customization opportunities. The automotive-style cockpit design includes interior and exterior door handles, a tilting steering wheel, open storage and closed glove box. Premium sculpted seats, along with sophisticated, adjustable suspension shocks provide driver and passenger comfort over rough terrain. Standard high-sided sealed doors eliminate the need for intrusive hip and shoulder restraints and offer splash pro- tection from dirt, mud and water. The exclusive cab design provides an attractive profile design, with sleek headlights, a standard roof, sealed Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) and sealed windshield. The new Challenger models can be completely weather-sealed in minutes with the quick addition of optional upper doors and a rear window. With modular accessory attachment capabilities, the Chal- lenger 550 and 750 allow for endless customization possibili- ties. A front accessory mounting panel above the windshield allows the Challenger 550 and 750 to be configured with a variety of items, including LED light kits or other after-market electronic accessories. The exclusive rear mounting rack and accessory rack tubes save cargo bed space while enabling limitless acces- sory-mounting possibilities, including a gun boot, chainsaw boot and a spare tire mount. "Customization of utility vehicles is extremely important according to the customers we continually talk with," Tom Mielke, UV Product Marketing Manager, Cub Cadet, said. "We've designed the Challenger Series with exclusive features that give owners the power to customize their utility vehicle for the challenges they face—at the farm, ranch, off-road or in the woods. These new additions continue to raise the bar on stan- dard features, designed around what people want to do with their UV while also improving style, comfort and convenience." The 34x46x11-inch cargo bed features an exclusive set of integrated attachment points—"T" slots—to help secure purpose-built accessories. The vertical slots accept standard three-quarter-inch plywood for partitions and slots on top of the side rails to accommodate standard 1x3-inch furring strips. The bed boasts a 500-pound cargo capacity for hauling everything from firewood, to stone, to the trophies of a hunt- ing or fishing expedition. nice ergos, a roof, great amounts of storage in the cab, nice wheels and rims and decent shock packages are just a few of the features found on rec/utility vehicles. Those are good reasons why to like rec/utility side-by- sides. I can have just as much fun driving a rec/utility vehicle as I can on a sport vehicle, of course, depending on the terrain and riding surface (say, sand). I don't see the rec/utility segment fading into the sunset (unless the vehicle is sitting on a nice lakeshore somewhere as the sun goes down or sitting at a campsite in the mountains) anytime soon. And I'm definitely okay with that. DT IN THE DUST continued from page 6 The Challenger 550 offers a 546cc Electronic Fuel Injected (EFI) engine rated at 27.5 horsepower, while the Challenger 750 features a 35.8 hp 735cc EFI engine. Both models com- bine versatility and strength, accelerating to speeds up to 45 mph, towing up to 1,200 lbs. and pulling up to 3,500 lbs. with the standard winch. Three-way adjustable shocks and off-road tires with selectable locking front and rear differentials trans- form typically-challenging obstacles into no challenge at all. The new utility vehicles are available in Cub Yellow, Blue, Red, Black and Camo to further fit the personalization goals of the customer. The Challenger Series 550 and 750 are the latest in a growing line of utility vehicles from Cub Cadet, joining the Challenger 400, the Challenger 500, the Challenger 700 and the Challenger 750 Crew. Backed by the strength of Cub Cadet's dealer network, the Challenger Series provides power, performance, versatility and valuable standard features. More information about the new Challenger Series is available at http://www.cubcadet.com/equipment/cubcadet/ utility-vehicles/challenger-550-750/features. DT

• Cover