Yamaha delivers a new side-by-side machine in the form of the 2016 Wolverine-R. If the name and the R suffix could suggest to someone that Yamaha is up against the likes of Polaris RZR, you’ll be disappointed. The Wolverine-R is not a sport SxS, but a recreational machine which occasionally taps in both the sporty and UTV ranges, and focusing on offering a neat riding experience to a broader selection of potential customers. And this might prove to be a major selling point for the new beast…
Most parts of the machine are newly designed, as Yamaha went for a slightly different approach to this segment. In order to create a do-it-all SxS, the house of Iwata had to make it compact enough to tackle the narrow forest trails, while retaining peak comfort on smoother terrain as well. The chassis was revised to meet these demands, and the rest of the things loaded onto it followed the same rule.
A new, optimized single-cylinder engine
The Japanese optimized the torque delivery for their new single-cylinder 708cc DOHC engine. Mated to an automatic transmission, the engine’s power (which is still unknown) can be transferred to 2 or 4 wheels. The operator uses a knob to select 2WD, 4WD or 4WD with a differential lock according to how rough the terrain is. Smart engineering and design make sure that common maintenance routines can be performed easily, thanks to easy access to coolant, engine and gear oil (fill and drain), reusable foam air filter and more.
Yamaha’s Wolverine-R also comes with a generous fuel tank which can hold 9.7 gallons (36.7 liters) for day-long operation and extended range, tall bucket seats for excellent rider support, an automotive-inspired dash with comprehensive digital instruments and enhanced ergonomics.
This new SxS was designed to offer performance for the thrill-seekers and comfort for recreational rides, but utility was not overlooked. The 2016 Yamaha Wolverine-R comes with a hitch adapter able to tow 680 kg (1,500 lb), a generous cargo bed which can take loads up to 136 kg (300 lb) so it will also be a worthy work mate.
With a total wet weight of 581 kg (1,282 lb), the 2016 Yamaha Wolverine-R will arrive in stores in April this year, in Steel Blue and Hunter Green, with a hard sun top, and in both EPS (electronic power steering) and non-EPS versions. The base model can be had for $12,199, while adding EPS will set you back some extra $1,000. No prices announced for Europe at the time of writing, but we know RealTree Camo will also be a color option.
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