The Polaris ACE has created a whole new market, providing it’s own
unique off-road experience. Polaris’s ACE combines the nimble handling
of an ATV with the security and non-intimidating, automotive like
driving approach of a UTV. The first ACE featured a 32HP, 335cc power
plant. Its design was based on a Sportsman ATV chassis with sit in and
step out accessibility, which is very easy to get in and out of. The
other major ACE difference is automotive-like controls and a ROPS cage.
The UTV-like controls feature a steering wheel, brake/gas pedal, and an
automatic PVT transmission.
The entry level Polaris ACE opened the
doors to a new breed of ATV’er. While not overly impressive in the
power department, it quickly found it’s calling with the older
generation as well as many in the first time crowd. After creating an
entire new market, and less than a year into it’s public existence, ACE
answered to the calls for more power. The Polaris ACE 570 offered an
identical chassis with Polaris’s proven 570 power plant from the RZR,
Ranger, and Sportsman 570. The 44HP power plant brought an impressive
35% power increase with virtually no increase in overall weight.
The
Polaris ACE 570’s power increase was well received by the masses, and
its next focus was luxuries. The SP package and ACE 570 SP brought a
whole load of premium performance features. The biggest SP benefit was
it’s Variable Assist EPS, but it also featured a new high-performance
close ratio on-demand AWD system, dual rate rear springs, front and rear
stabilizer bars, and a sport tuned exhaust system. The more
aesthetically noticeable upgrades included were Factory Installed
quarter-doors, a high-performance steering wheel, Automotive style paint
with custom graphics and a custom cut and sew seat cover.
Just
like the ever-growing UTV market, consumers claimed to want more and
more HP. Instead of increasing the HP a little at a time, it appears
that Polaris has just gone for it with the 875cc ProStar powered 2016
Polaris ACE 900 SP. The 2016 Polaris ACE 900 SP is the double throw me
down, EPS equipped deluxe model ACE with an in incredibly over the top
60HP.
THE RIDE
Right off the bat you realize that the ACE
900 SP is the basically the same ACE we are all familiar with, only with
a whole lot more motor. Overall weight is increased by about 85lbs.,
mostly because the larger twin cylinder ProStar 900 is heavier than the
previous single cylinder models. As the 900 fires to life, the deep
growl of a big twin lets you know that you’ve graduated from the entry
level to something a little more serious.
The 2016 Polaris ACE 900
SP motor is eye opening. Shifting the transmission into gear and
stepping on the gas will almost lift the front wheels on it’s own. If
you have any sort of bump, and proper throttle control you can actually
ride a pretty decent wheelie. The 900’s acceleration is pretty
exhilarating as well. Bombing down a dirt road, you can see 60+ in a
hurry. One thing to keep in mind, at these types of speeds is that
you’re still driving a 48-inch wide, short wheelbase 4x4. Locking up the
brakes at 60-65 mph can find the ACE’s rear end coming around you in a
hurry.
In most situations, we found the extra HP and Torque was
appreciated but maybe not really needed. Longer, steeper hill climbs
were the one spot where we felt the power was really necessary.
Brimstone trails feature a lot of elevation changes with extremely steep
hill climbs, the 900’s over the top power took the hesitation right out
of you. We didn’t find a single climb in Brimstone that our ACE 900 SP
couldn’t conquer.
Brimstone is also full of super technical,
shorter, rocky climbs. While the new ACE is a 900, it still has minimal
ground clearance and relatively small (25”) tires. Climbing some of
these rutted and obstacle filled climbs required a little finesse and a
lot of commitment. On more than one occasion, the excessive HP and
slightly jumpy throttle brought the front-end way off the ground.
Letting off the throttle, or getting on the brakes brings the wheels
back to the dirt, and the ACE still had plenty of power to conquer the
trail. These super steep, obstacle filled trail situations might be a
spot where a less experienced driver would be better off with the more
mild mannered ACE 570.
Cruising around the faster, more open
trails on the big bore ACE are a blast. The 900 ACE has tons of midrange
torque and it’s always available. You could get that thrown back in the
seat, light front end feeling at any speed, by just matting the pedal
to the floor. When approaching a water bar, g-out, or other trail
obstacle, we found you could set the front with a little brake and then a
throttle tap would lighten the frond end for impact.
One thing
about an ACE type vehicle compared to an ATV is that once buckled in,
you are pretty much along for the ride. With an ATV you can use your
legs and arms as additional suspension, where as in an ACE you are
strapped in a seat and going to feel everything that isn’t soaked up by
the suspension. Power left on tap, can be an asset to making the most of
the suspension, but other times the 900’s 60HP might also be a little
excessive for a MacPherson strut front end with 8.2” of wheel travel.
THE FUTURE OF ACE
The
Polaris ACE is proving to be a really cool new off-road platform, and
with models ranging from 32HP to 60HP there is an ACE to suit just about
every customer. The one market we expect the ACE to expand into is
extreme performance. The 60HP motor in a sub 1000 lb. machine is more
than powerful enough for any type of off-road racing situation. The one
hold up we see is the limited suspension travel of the MacPherson Strut
front end. At 32 or even 44 HP the 8.2” of travel is more than
sufficient, but you will be looking for more if your pushing a 60HP
machine to it’s limits.
We expect the Polaris ACE platform to
evolve into a dual front a-arm offering. If and when Polaris brings us
an ACE with a dual an arm front end, the possibilities will be endless.
It’s a great machine in a wide variety of elements, and more front
travel might just make it the most versatile platform in our industry.
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