Can-Am's Maverick X3
If you prefer to inhale sand rather than burning rubber, then the
just-launched Can-Am Maverick X3 is the perfect tool for the job.
A UTV capable of
tackling almost any terrain, the X3 is based around a 1.85 inch tubular steel
frame and powered by a 900 cc turbocharged inline-three cylinder engine
delivering 154 hp at 7,500 rpm and 113 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm. Drive is sent to all
four wheels via a quick-shifting transmission, allowing the all-terrain buggy
to hit 96 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
The real headline for
a vehicle like this however is its suspension and Can-Am has pulled out all the
stops with the Maverick. In range-topping 'X RS' configuration, it sports a
rather insane 22-inches of front suspension travel and 24 inch of travel at the
rear, courtesy of fully adjustable shocks from FOX. Lesser models are still
impressive with their 20-inches of suspension travel, more than enough to leave
Range Rovers for dust.
Given that the
Maverick X3 cannot be legally driven on the street, it can't really be
considered as a rival to the road-legal Ariel Nomad even though it does share
some similarities.
With greater ground
clearance and an expected price tag well below the Nomad's US$ 75,000 MSRP, the X3
should be the most capable of the duo across difficult terrain, providing
off-road inclined enthusiasts with the ultimate toy.
