The Polaris RZR (Often pronounced as POLARIS RAZOR), is a sport side-by-side produced by Polaris Industries. When launched in 2007 as a 2008 model, it was officially known as the Ranger RZR, as it was marketed as a sub-model of the larger, work-oriented Ranger. As the RZR gained popularity, Polaris eventually dropped the Ranger designation and positioned the RZR as a stand-alone model.
RZR models in the US
LT-ATV variant of the MRZR-4 during Red Falcons familiarizationPolaris RZR XP Turbo ProStar
21st Special Tactics Squadron, loads a Polaris MRZR-4 with full rear cargo bed onto a C-130 HerculesA convoy of Polaris MRZR all-terrain vehicles driven by FBIHostage Rescue Team through thick brush.
U.S. Special Operations Command, (USSOCOM), placed an order with Polaris Defense in September 2013 for up to 1,500 MRZR-2 (2-seat) and MRZR-4 (4-seat) machines.[2] A big drawback of these new small military vehicles was that they retained their original gasoline engines, which are incompatible with standard military JP-8 fuel. In terms of logistics, two different fuel types are undesirable. As few such machines see combat use, and civilian users are uninterested in running them on diesel, an engine change was deemed unlikely.[2]
US Army S.O.F. use RZR 800 out of CH-47
In November 2016, the U.S. Marine Corps signed a $2.5 million contract with Polaris to deliver 144 MRZR-D vehicles. Called the Utility Task Vehicle (UTV), it is designed to be diesel-powered and can run on JP-8 fuel. The Marines bought the unarmored vehicles because they can fit inside an MV-22 Osprey, enabling them to be deployed from long distances, to provide logistics support to ground combat units, assisting them to travel and transport supplies quicker and easier than previously on foot. The vehicles can carry four marines and have a small cargo bed capable of carrying 1,500 lb (680 kg) of payload. Plans are to field 18 MRZR-Ds per infantry regiment. The vehicles were delivered from late-January to April 2017.[3][4][5]
The Royal Navy has procured a batch of Polaris MRZR-D4 UTVs for the Royal Marines and a version of the MRZR has been in service with UK Special Forces for a number of years[6]
For 2010, Polaris developed their own engine for the RZR, known as the ProStar.[19] Unlike the previous engine, which had the exhaust cooled by airflow, the ProStar equipped RZR connected the engine to the exhaust header pipe in the front of the engine, before making a 180 degree turn and exiting at the rear of the vehicle.[19] This design creates a hot spot directly behind passengers that can degrade components and ignite debris, fuel and plastic panels.[19] Customers soon reported plastic panels between the passengers and the engine were melting and smoking and Polaris' safety director at the time believed the vehicle should be recalled.[19] However, no recall was performed, with Polaris issuing a service bulletin which does not require Polaris to issue notice to consumers or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.[19]
In July 2014, an 11-year-old girl from Texas suffered 3rd and 4th degree burns on 60% of her body when the Polaris she was riding in tipped over and ignited.[20] Her right leg and left foot were later amputated.[20] A 15-year-old girl was killed when the RZR she was a passenger in caught fire in July 2015.[20] In September 2016, two Arizona women were killed when their Polaris tipped over and sparked a fire.[20]
In April 2018, Polaris was fined a record $27.5 million by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for two 2016 late-reporting claims relating to a fire risk.[21] The CPSC alleges Polaris had received reports of 150 RZR fires, including the death of the above-mentioned 15 year old passenger,[22] 11 reports of burn injuries and a fire that burned 10 acres of land, but failed to immediately notify them.[21] Over the years, Polaris has recalled more than half a million RZR's for manufacturing defects that could lead to fires, burns or death.[23] However, owners of RZRs are continuing to report fires on vehicles that been previously repaired, including total-loss fires.[23][24]
In May 2019, a 23-year-old man from Idaho suffered fatal burns when the RZR he was riding in burst into flames,[25] despite the 2017 RZR receiving the repairs under the 2018 recall.[19][26]
Specifications
Light-Marine Air Defense Integrated System (L-MADIS)
RZR
570
RZR
800
RZR S
800
RZR XP
900
RZR XP
1000
RZR S 900
RZR S 1000
RZR XP
Turbo
RZR XP
Turbo S
RZR PRO XP
RZR Turbo R
RZR Pro R
Model Year Debut
2012
2008
2009
2011
2014
2015
2016
2016
2018
2020
2022
2022
Horsepower
45
52
56
88/96
107
75
100
144
168
181
181
225
Displacement (cc)
567
760
760
875
999
875
999
925
925
925
925
1997
Width
50
50
60
64
64
60
60
64
72
64
74
74
Wheelbase
77
77
77
81.4
90
79
79
90
90
96
96
104.5
Length
107.5
102
106
108
119
105
106
119
122
126
128
136.5
Ground Clearance
10
10
12
13
13.5
11
12.5
13.5
16
14.5
16
16
Front Tire Size
25 x 8-12
25 x 8-12
26 x 9-12
27 x 9-12
29 x 9-14
26 x 8-12
27 x 9-12
29 x 9-14
32 x 10-15
30 x 10-14
32 x 10-15
32 x 10-15
Rear Tire Size
25 x 10-12
25 x 10-12
26 x 12-12
27 x 11-12
29 x 11-14
26 x 9-12
27 x 11-12
29 x 11-14
32 x 10-15
30 x 10-14
32 x 10-15
32 x 10-15
Front Wheel Travel
9
9
12
13.5
16
12.25
12.25
16
19
17
22.25
22.25
Rear Wheel Travel
9.5
9.5
12
14
18
13.2
13.2
18
21
20
22.4
24.5
Dry Weight (lbs.)
970
945
1,000
1,190
1,379
1,148
1,235
1,495
1,751
1,759
1,943
2,085
Numbers above are for the first model year available. Units in inches unless otherwise noted. Numbers are manufacturer's where available.
