Polaris RZR

The Polaris RZR (pronounced "razor") is a sport side-by-side produced by Polaris Industries. When launched in 2007 as a 2008 model, it was officially known as the Ranger RZR, as it was marketed as a sub-model of the larger, work-oriented Ranger. As the RZR gained popularity, Polaris eventually dropped the Ranger designation and positioned the RZR as a stand-alone model.

Polaris RZR XP Turbo ProStar

RZR models in the US
LT-ATV variant of the MRZR-4 during Red Falcons familiarization
Polaris RZR XP 900 with aftermarket accessories
  • RZR 170
  • RZR 570
  • RZR 800
  • RZR S 800
  • RZR 900
  • RZR S 900
  • RZR XP 900
  • RZR S 1000
  • RZR XP 1000
  • RZR XP Turbo
  • RZR XP Turbo S
  • RZR RS1
Military models:
  • MRZR-2
  • MRZR-4
  • MRZR-D2
  • MRZR-D4

Military use
21st Special Tactics Squadron, loads a Polaris MRZR-4 with full rear cargo bed onto a C-130 Hercules

U.S. Special Operations Command, (US)SOCOM, placed an order with Polaris Defense in September 2013 for up to 1,500 MRZR-2 (2-seat) and MRZR-4 (4-seat) machines.[1] A big drawback of these new small military vehicles was that they retained their original gasoline engines, which are incompatible with standard military JP-8 fuel. In terms of logistics, two different fuel types are undesirable. As few such machines see combat use, and civilian users are uninterested in running them on diesel, an engine change was deemed unlikely.[1]

US Army S.O.F. use RZR 800 out of CH-47

In November 2016, the U.S. Marine Corps signed a $2.5 million contract with Polaris to deliver 144 MRZR-D vehicles. Called the Utility Task Vehicle (UTV), it is designed to be diesel-powered and can run on JP-8 fuel. The Marines bought the unarmored vehicles because they can fit inside an MV-22 Osprey, enabling them to be deployed from long distances, to provide logistics support to ground combat units, assisting them to travel and transport supplies quicker and easier than previously on foot. The vehicles can carry four marines and have a small cargo bed capable of carrying 1,500 lb (680 kg) of payload. Plans are to field 18 MRZR-Ds per infantry regiment. The vehicles were delivered from late-January to April 2017.[2][3][4]

U.S. Army soldiers with Special Operations Task Force / South also used Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Polaris RZR 800 Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicles (LT-ATV), internally transportable by CH-47 Chinook helicopter, and rapidly off-loadable, during operations in 2010 in the Maruf District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Fire hazards and recalls
A Polaris RZR on fire in the Mojave desert

For 2010, developed their own engine for the RZR, known as the ProStar.[5] Unlike the previous engine, which had the exhaust cooled by airflow, the ProStar equipped Polaris connected the engine to the exhaust header pipe in the front of the engine, before making a 180 degree turn and exiting at the rear of the vehicle.[5] This design creates a hot spot directly behind passengers that can degrade components and ignite debris, fuel and plastic panels.[5] Customers soon reported plastic panels between the passengers and the engine were melting and smoking and Polaris' safety director at the time believed the vehicle should be recalled.[5] However, no recall was performed, with Polaris issuing a service bulletin which does not require Polaris to issue notice to consumers or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.[5]

In July 2014, an 11-year-old girl from Texas suffered 3rd and 4th degree burns on 60% of her body when the Polaris she was riding in tipped over and ignited.[6] Her right leg and left foot were later amputated.[6] A 15-year-old girl was killed when the RZR she was a passenger in caught fire in July 2015.[6] In September 2016, two Arizona women were killed when their Polaris tipped over and sparked a fire.[6]

In April 2018, Polaris was fined a record $27.5 million by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for two 2016 late-reporting claims relating to a fire risk.[7] The CPSC alleges Polaris had received reports of 150 RZR fires, including the death of the above-mentioned 15 year old passenger,[8] 11 reports of burn injuries and a fire that burned 10 acres of land, but failed to immediately notify them.[7] Over the years, Polaris has recalled more than half a million RZR's for manufacturing defects that could lead to fires, burns or death.[9] However, owners of RZRs are continuing to report fires on vehicles that been previously repaired, including total-loss fires.[9][10]

In May 2019, a 23-year-old man from Idaho suffered fatal burns when the RZR he was riding in burst into flames.,[11] despite the 2017 RZR receiving the repairs under the 2018 recall.[5]

Specifications
RZR

570

 RZR

800

 RZR S

800

 RZR XP

900

 RZR XP

1000

 RZR S 900 RZR S 1000 RZR XP

Turbo

 RZR XP

Turbo S

 RZR PRO XP
Model Year Debut 2012 2008 2009 2011 2014 2015 2016 2016 2018 2020
Horsepower 45 52 55 88 107 75 100 168 168 181
Displacement (cc) 567 760 760 875 999 875 999 925 925 925
Width 50 50 60 64 64 60 60 64 72 64
Wheelbase 77 77 77 81.4 90 79 79 90 90 96
Length 107.5 102 106 108 119 105 106 119 122 126
Ground Clearance 10 10 12 13 13.5 11 12.5 13.5 16 14.5
Front Tire Size 25 x 8-12 25 x 8-12 26 x 9-12 27 x 9-12 29 x 9-14 26 x 8-12 27 x 9-12 29 x 9-14 32 x 10-15 30 x 10-14
Rear Tire Size 25 x 10-12 25 x 10-12 26 x 12-12 27 x 11-12 29 x 11-14 26 x 9-12 27 x 11-12 29 x 11-14 32 x 10-15 30 x 10-14
Front Wheel Travel 9 12 13.5 16 10 12.25 16 19 17
Rear Wheel Travel 9.5 12 14 18 10 13.2 18 21 20
Dry Weight (lbs.) 970 945 1000 1190 1379 1,148 1,235 1495 1751 1749

Numbers above are for the first model year available. Units in inches unless otherwise noted. Numbers are manufacturer's where available.

See also

References
  1. Wheels of the Elite – Jane's Defence Weekly Briefing
  2. Marine Corps to Equip Infantry Units with Polaris ATVs - DoDBuzz.com, 27 September 2016
  3. Marine grunts to get new all-terrain vehicles for missions - MarineCorpstimes.com, 22 November 2016
  4. Marine Grunts Will Start Getting ATVs in January - Defensetech.org, 23 November 2016
  5. "The Polaris RZR, an Off-Road Thrill That Can Go Up in Flames".
  6. - fairwarning.org 20 Feb 2018
  7. - startribune.com, 2 April 2018
  8. - motleyfool.com 28 Dec 2017
  9. - motleyfool.com 13 Apr 2017
  10. - cpsc.gov 19 Dec 2017
  11. 29 Sept 2019
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