Autoblog

Polaris patent reveals three-wheeled side-by-side "Slingshot"

Seyth Miersma — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:01:00 EST

It seems as though recreational vehicle maker Polaris is taking steps toward the production of quite an interesting, three-wheeled vehicle. Documents filed with the US Patent Office have revealed schematics for a Polaris "reverse trike" - that's two wheels in front and one in back - with seating for a driver and a passenger. According to the logo dug up by The Kneeslider, this buddy bike might eventually be called the Polaris Slingshot.

When the patent plans are broken down, it appears as though Polaris may have a legitimately scary competitor for other players in this recreational niche, including the Campagnia T-Rex, Can-Am Spyder (which is admittedly not a side-by-side) and the Morgan 3 Wheeler.

The Slingshot plans call out a longitudinally oriented, 2.4-liter General Motors-sourced powerplant with a manual transmision, though we're told both hybrid and fully electric power could work as well. The single rear wheel will be the driven one, powered via a belt drive rather than a shaft. Steering is by way of a wheel, rather than handlebars.

The Kneeslider doesn't have any information regarding the timing, or even absolute production intent, for the Slingshot, but seems to believe that Polaris is more likely than not to carry the project forward from here. Our fingers are crossed.

Polaris patent reveals three-wheeled side-by-side "Slingshot" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaris recalling GEM electric runabouts over parking brake fears

Zach Bowman — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Electric

Polaris is recalling 4,394 GEM electric vehicles due to faulty parking brakes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the mechanism may prematurely wear, leaving the brake inoperable. If the brake fails and the driver exits the vehicle, the EV could roll away and cause a crash. The recall only applies to models built between January 14, 2010 and November 23, 2012.

As you may recall, Polaris purchased GEM from Chrysler in 2011 and promptly shifted production from Fargo, North Dakota to Minnesota and Iowa.

Owners can expect Polaris to replace the parking brake lever assembly free of charge once the recall campaign gets under way on February 4. You can read the full recall notification below for more information, or head over to the NHTSA site.

Continue reading Polaris recalling GEM electric runabouts over parking brake fears

Polaris recalling GEM electric runabouts over parking brake fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaris RZR 4 turned into 640-HP monster truck

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Videos, Specialty, Off-Road

When is a monster truck not really a monster truck at all? Well, looking past the fact that we don't know of any competition-ready monster trucks that actually have such trucky items as a working pickup bed or even a passenger seat, perhaps the answer is when it's made from a Polaris RZR.

A company called High Lifter has created a monster RZR using as many stock Polaris parts as possible. According to the company, that includes the frame (buried inside a bunch of custom tubing), body, seats and steering wheel. Our understanding is that power comes from a 640-horsepower GM small block mated to a Powerglide automatic transmission.

We've added three videos for you to watch below, where you'll see the monster RZR put through a short series of preliminary tests. As you'll see, the beast is a little bit tippy, and the team has since added sway bars. Which is good, because the bigger they are... well, you know the rest.

Continue reading Polaris RZR 4 turned into 640-HP monster truck

Polaris RZR 4 turned into 640-HP monster truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 250 GTO vs. Polaris Ranger RZR XP 900 is the most absurd drag race we've ever seen

Zach Bowman — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Videos, Ferrari

As wanderers of the infinite Internet wastelands, we've seen some pretty bizarre drag races, but nothing compares to the event that takes place in the video after the jump. In it, a classic Ferrari 250 GTO is pitted against the most unlikely of competitors; a Polaris Ranger RZR XP 900. The Ferrari gets the benefit of a tarmac launch while the UTV is left to put its 875cc engine's motive powers to the grass-covered ground. How does the race turn out? We'll let you watch and see for yourself, but we will say that the tango was considerably closer than we might've imagined.

It's difficult to tell whether the 250 GTO is an actual product of Maranello or if the vehicle is simply a well-executed replica. Either way, the video makes for fun watching. Hit the jump to check it out.

Continue reading Ferrari 250 GTO vs. Polaris Ranger RZR XP 900 is the most absurd drag race we've ever seen

Ferrari 250 GTO vs. Polaris Ranger RZR XP 900 is the most absurd drag race we've ever seen originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ride along during a Pikes Peak practice session in the mightily manhandled RZR-X

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Doug Siddens and his RZR during a Pikes Peak practice session - Click above to watch the video after the jump

We all love talking about the Unlimited Class vehicles that take on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (for good reason, of course). There are plenty of other classes though, and some of the drivers helming these vehicles are clearly insane.

Take Doug Siddens, for example. Siddens is running a customized Polaris RZR, which has been tuned by MCX-USA and now produces around 300 horsepower. The original motor has been swapped out in favor of an Apex 998-cc turbocharged engine that was taken from a Yamaha snowmobile. Siddens runs the vehicle in the Exhibition Powersport class, which was just launched in 2010. That year, his RZR had less power, yet still ran up the hill in 14:03.

Click past the jump to ride along with Siddens as he runs up Pikes Peak during a practice session for this year's upcoming race. Controlling his RZR is clearly a full-time job, and Siddens is working overtime. Also, be sure to check out photos of his vehicle in the gallery below, and check out RZRForums.net for information on the build process.

Continue reading Ride along during a Pikes Peak practice session in the mightily manhandled RZR-X

Ride along during a Pikes Peak practice session in the mightily manhandled RZR-X originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaris to move Indian production to Spirit Lake, Iowa

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Motorcycle

According to The Kneeslider, Polaris is moving production of Indian Motorcycles from Kings Mountain, North Carolina, to Spirit Lake, Iowa. While it isn't an ideal situation for those who build Indians in North Carolina, it will keep the historic brand American made.

Polaris is consolidating Indian into the same plant as several of its other brands, including Victory Motorcycles. Though Indian manufacture isn't expected to create any new jobs, the plant where they will be made has added 100 new employees in the last year.

With the full backing of Polaris' vast resources, Indian looks poised to make a decent comeback after years of uncertainty, and that's great news to fans of classic American-style cruising.

[Source: The Kneeslider]

Polaris to move Indian production to Spirit Lake, Iowa originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaris purchases Indian Motorcycles, will complement Victory brand

Chris Shunk — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, Motorcycle

It's spring, and that means motorcycles are back in season. Polaris must be in a buying mood, as the recreational vehicle giant announced that it has purchased Indian Motorcycles. Terms of the sale have not been disclosed, but the move has certainly given Polaris a stronger foothold in the American-made motorcycle market. Polaris also owns Victory, which makes cruiser and tourer bikes that compete directly with models from Harley Davidson.

Polaris hasn't announced any specific plans for Indian Motorcycles, but the post-jump press release does say that the motorcycle maker will operate as an autonomous brand. Polaris CEO Scott Wine says he's excited to be part of the revitalization of America's first motorcycle builder, adding, "With our technology and vision, we are confident we will deliver the classic Indian motorcycle, enhanced by the quality and performance for which Polaris and Victory are known."

Though the Indian name has been around for over a century, the company was only last restarted in 2006, and the first motorcycles from the reborn brand were sold as 2009 models. The company couldn't exactly take on Harley Davidson in that short a span, but the addition of Polaris know-how and a fully stocked parts bin from which to draw upon could give Indian a big boost. Hit the jump to read over the Polaris press release.

[Source: Polaris]

Continue reading Polaris purchases Indian Motorcycles, will complement Victory brand

Polaris purchases Indian Motorcycles, will complement Victory brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Polaris quad with a 454 big-block? Why, yes... yes you can

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Humor

Big-block Polaris quad - Click above to watch the video after the break

With a little blood, sweat and some good ol' American ingenuity, almost anything is possible. Whether or not "possible" equals "advisable," well... we'll leave that up to you to decide. In any case, at least one enterprising individual has apparently managed to stuff a big-block Chevrolet engine displacing 454 cubic inches inside the tight confines of a Polaris ATV.

There doesn't seem to be any rear suspension on this quad, so those massive balloon tires will have to suffice. While a smooth ride might be problematic, power won't be. After all, not only is there a 7.4-liter V8 underneath, there are also dual carburetors and long-tube headers. For ultimate ease of use, there's a Turbo 350 automatic transmission slid in between the engine and solid-axle rear end.

Yes, there's a video of this beastie in action, and no, the driver is predictably not wearing a helmet. He is, however, enjoying the protection afforded by his apparently ill-fitting cap... that is, until it blows off his now unprotected head. No worries, he'll swing right back around and put it back on to save his noggin. Safety first! Watch it all go down in the video after the break.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Polaris quad with a 454 big-block? Why, yes... yes you can

Video: Polaris quad with a 454 big-block? Why, yes... yes you can originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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