Polaris Ranger RZR: First Drive

When Polaris invited us to Claridges at Surajkund to unveil their range of off-road vehicles they got us a bit confused between a carpet covered lobby floor and some of the most capable off-road vehicles in the world. Thankfully though, when we got there Polaris had created an off-road track bang opposite the hotel. As we walked into the makeshift parking lot at the off-road track we were greeted by a fleet of Polaris off-road vehicles. 

Design Language

The design language of the Polaris range of vehicles was a welcome break for our eyes from the traditional design features that adorn most vehicles today. Their styling language is aggressive yet powerful, dynamic yet functional. One look and you can tell that these vehicles are meant for serious off-roading. One cannot however ignore the rugged nature of design, the design language can deceive you into believing that these vehicles will have the same feel of operation as some sort of heavy industrial machinery. 

Interiors

But do not be fooled however. Get inside the Ranger RZR (pronounced ‘Razor’) and the adjustable seats feel comfortable, it has an automatic gearbox, tilt steering and a lockable rear cargo box for enhanced practicality. The instrument cluster is an electronic display unit and there is a switch on the centre of the dashboard which can be used to lock the centre differential. 

Since this is an open vehicle you have to wear a helmet, hand gloves and eye goggles. Otherwise it feels just like a normal vehicle, put on your seat belt and clamp on the cloth mesh instead of a door and you are good to go. One can also ask Polaris to add a closed passenger cabin complete with a roof and doors. 

Engine and Gearbox

Start the engine and the vehicle has very decent vibration levels, put the auto box gear shifter into D and the car moves forward in a completely car like manner. Step on the throttle and the high power to weight ratio allows the vehicle to shoot forward like you’ve whipped a horse really hard all of a sudden, it’s quite a joy to drive something that is this responsive considering that most vehicles on our roads are underpowered. 

The 760cc fuel injected engine has 53 horsepower on tap combined with the reasonable dry weight of near about 450 kgs (slightly more or less for different versions of the Ranger series) means 0-100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds. That’s fast considering that the average passenger car in India requires well over 10 seconds accelerating from 0-100 km/h. The automatic gearbox is very smooth and refined, there is no sudden jolt while it changes gears and it never leaves you wanting for power when it shifts. 

The switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive is very smooth. Apart from the electronic display there is no way of telling whether the vehicle is in two-wheel or four-wheel mode as the vehicle is equally responsive in both modes.

Ride and Handling

The Ranger RZR comes with Electronic Power Steering which makes it extremely easy to manoeuvre while off-roading. The vehicle comes with On-Demand All-Wheel Drive which means that it is a two wheel drive vehicle most of the time but will switch to Four-Wheel Drive on its own the moment the on-board computer detects wheel slippage. This point was very well proved in the first corner on the off-road circuit. The curve was filled with slush at the end, and the vehicle had no problem powering around the corner in two-wheel drive and switching to four wheel drive in the slushy bit.

If you are looking for fun the Ranger RZR can be thrown at quite serious speeds into a corner, the nimble power steering coupled with excellent handling allows you to exit a corner with some style. The Ranger comes with disc brakes all around which help slow down the vehicle from all speeds no matter what terrain it is on. 

Anti-Sway bars between the front and rear wheels controls body roll at high speeds. Adjustable Dual A-Arm suspension up front and Independent rear suspension provide scarcely believable levels of ride comfort. Drive the vehicle over slush, dirt, rocks and the lot the suspension will absorb everything you throw at it and provide a comfortable, settled ride no matter what. No other vehicle off the road is this comfortable, full stop.

Off-roading in a Polaris Ranger RZR

Driving some of the most potent off-roaders in this country off the road will no more be adequate once you drive a Polaris. The high power to weight ratio, agile response, coupled with the superb suspension setup give a whole new definition to off-roading. The low kerb weight of the vehicle ensures that it does not sink into mud and get stuck easily. The big chunky off-road tyres make sure the vehicle has good traction at all times. The long travel suspension coupled with the Ranger’s short wheelbase allows the vehicle to drive over large obstacles and deep ruts with ease. 

The Ranger RZR features an Anti-Kickback Steering which places the steering axis near the neutral centre of the tyre, combine that with the Dual A-Arm suspension and the kickback from the steering when the vehicle hits uneven terrain at speeds is very cushioned. The Ranger RZR feels nothing like a traditional SUV going off-road which compared to this have a very uncomfortable ride and enough steering kickback at high speeds to break your thumbs. 

Along with a lockable centre differential the Ranger RZR features Active Decent Control (ADC) and Engine Braking System to control the downhill speed and braking of the vehicle on a downhill gradient depending on the angle of decent and the terrain to make sure you do not drive too fast down a hill and lose control of the vehicle. 

The off-road track set up by Polaris was very good. It had all the essential ingredients that make up off-roading. From rocky uneven terrain, to uphill and downhill gradients, to water passes, to tall bumps that hit the underbody of the car, the track had it all. The underbody of the Ranger has enough protective cladding to prevent any damage to the vehicle even when the suspension bottoms out. The vehicle climbed over huge rocks and sand bags with superb ease and it never lost its composure. 

All the mechanical components and the exhaust have been built and placed in such a way so that water does not find its way into them, this means that the Ranger can wade through much deeper levels of water than a traditional off-road SUV.

In the water passes, water had flowed into the passenger cabin chiefly due to the lack of doors and also due holes in the floor of the cabin, just the way it is meant to. Water flows out of the holes the moment the vehicle comes out water. This is actually very good as you can wade through seriously deep water without having to bother about water flowing into the car as it undoubtedly will, but it will also flow out as fast as it comes in. Just make sure you have an extra set of dry pants in that storage box at the back. 

Overall, the Polaris Ranger series of vehicles will bring a different level of off-roading high to our country. Apart from being one of the most capable off-roaders in the world the Polaris range of vehicles have a phenomenal amount of the ‘fun’ factor which puts these vehicles in a very different class in off-roading. It’s like nothing else we have around here. As an off-roader the Polaris Ranger RZR is an excellent vehicle. The only fault with the vehicle perhaps is that the switch that locks the centre differential is a touch too far from the driver. Oh, and the clamp on cloth mesh instead of doors, that stuff is not a joke, it protects you from small bits of debris which might fly off the front wheel and come at you. 

As for us, by the end of the drive we might have got carried away with the ‘fun factor’ a bit as we were covered with a sizeable amount of mud which we managed to collect while expediting the speed of the Ranger RZR throughout the track.