We had a chance to slide into the seat of the new Sportsman ACE, Polaris’ latest entry into the ATV market. Wait a minute, you say. Slide into the seat of an ATV? Well, yea, it’s an ATV with many side-by-side attributes. It’s not as confusing as it might seem, but it is intriguing.
Our chance came in late January near Marble Falls, TX, and it was more than interesting; it really was intriguing. We’ll have a full report in the next issue of Dirt Toys Magazine.
For now, here is part of the official press release from Polaris as well as a few pictures from our Texas ride.
Minneapolis – Polaris Industries announced the company is defining an entirely new type of off-road vehicle with the introduction of the Sportsman ACE. The vehicle’s architecture is completely new to the industry and features a revolutionary, sit-in chassis that is nimble and comfortable to operate. The design of the new Sportsman ACE provides a confidence-inspired ride, all while being trail-capable, offering an all-new off-road experience.
The revolutionary new design combines the size and nimble handling of the Sportsman All-Terrain Vehicle and the confidence and comfort of the Ranger and RZR side-bysides, in a rider-centric design with a trail-capable and easilytransportable 48-inch width.
A comfortable and confidence-inspiring centralized seating position connects the driver directly with the machine for a new off-road riding experience. Polaris also positioned all the major components, including the driver, centralized between the four wheels for an incredibly responsive ride. The Sportsman ACE boasts 10.25 inches of ground clearance and 9.5 inches of rear travel due to its fully independent rear suspension outfitted with performance, twin tube shocks featuring adjustable preload.
Powering the Sportsman ACE is an all-new 32 horsepower ProStar Electronic Fuel Injected engine featuring an internal counter-balance shaft for smooth, vibration-free power. The dual overhead camshafts and a 4-valve cylinder head work with the advanced engine management system to precisely deliver the fuel charge for impressive power and instant, predictable throttle response; while the lightweight efficient transmission captures every ounce of power to deliver it to the ground.
For a secure and comfortable ride, the Sportsman ACE has a unique ROPS cab frame only previously found on side-by-sides. The secure, high-backed, adjustable bucket seat is paired with an adjustable steering wheel to give the driver unmatched flexibility when it comes to comfort in the side bolsters to keep the operator properly positioned in the center of the machine. The steering wheel offers 3.5 inches of tilt adjustment and the driver’s seat slides back and forth by 4 inches to customize the fit for the rider.
For the utmost confidence on the trail, the Sportsman ACE is equipped with the same legendary On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive system found on all Polaris off-road vehicles. The system eliminates the guesswork by automatically engaging when the rider needs more forward traction and then reverts back to two-wheel drive automatically when the AWD is no longer needed.