Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., today introduced the Wolverine R-Spec, an all-new Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicle that sets a new standard in off-road capability and class-leading comfort. Designed and engineered for exploring extreme terrain, the Wolverine R-Spec is assembled in the U.S.A. for worldwide distribution.

The 2016 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec boasts an all-new, nimble chassis with a compact design, look and feel; a comfortable and secure cab with seating for two; Yamaha’s proven core technologies; and overall superior handling and durability with industry-leading suspension adjustability.

“The all-new Wolverine will extend Yamaha’s Side-by-Side line into the recreation segment, creating a new level of durability, quality, handling and superior off-road capabilities not yet seen in the off-road industry,” said Mike Martinez, Yamaha’s Recreational Vehicle (RV) group vice president. “Yamaha’s Wolverine R-Spec SxS is made for off-road enthusiasts, hunters and explorers looking to navigate tight, technical trails and extreme off-road terrain.”

Suspension Adjustability

The Wolverine R-Spec’s long-travel suspension with standard KYB piggyback shocks features 9.7 inches of travel in front and 10.6 inches of travel out back — and more suspension customization than any other model in its class with high- and low-speed compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload adjustability. This best-in-class adjustability allows drivers to tune the comfort and handling based on personal preference and terrain. The impressive suspension package provides superior handling along with a comfortable and planted feeling while articulating through a variety of rough off-road situations.

All-New Chassis, Style and Design

The Yamaha Wolverine combines aggressive new styling with a nimble and compact-feeling chassis designed to maximize visibility while allowing the driver to navigate tight, technical trails and challenging terrain. The vehicle’s 81.3-inch wheelbase, 11.4 inches of ground clearance and wide-arc, A-arm design provide maximum terrainability and ground clearance.

Designing the vehicle for extreme terrain and durability, Yamaha incorporated features like rear-wheel protectors that extend from the bottom of the frame to reduce obstacle contact with rear tires. The chassis is upswept on the sides, more than two inches higher than the center of the frame to help the vehicle more smoothly pass over obstacles.

Full-coverage skid plates front-to-back and side-to-side eliminate catch points and increase glide points. For added protection, Yamaha incorporated standard front A-arm-mounted CV boot protectors and rear A-arm built-in skid plate protectors.

Yamaha employed durable steel wheels (12x6 in the front and 12x8 out back) and all-new, exclusive, 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires providing optimum traction, durability, comfort and steering precision.

Cab Comfort

The Wolverine’s automotive-style cab with all-new, supportive, high-back bucket seats is designed to provide maximum comfort and confidence for both driver and passenger, especially in extreme off-road environments.

The seating area’s compact yet comfortable feel features ergonomically placed controls. The driver’s seat is three-position adjustable, and the passenger is provided with a three-point adjustable, dash-mounted handhold. Dedicated floorboard panels allow for maximum legroom while simultaneously creating a planted feeling, especially in rough and rugged terrain and on long off-road expeditions.

The Wolverine’s all-new cab design features a new center console with multiple storage options. Three-point seat belts and shoulder bolsters — and even the new engine positioning — all work in concert with the new chassis and cab design to create the best balance of optimum occupant comfort with maximum off-road capability.

More interior functional features include two cup holders, two center console storage bins, a dash-mounted glove box and under-seat storage, and digital display panel with speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, hour meter, clock, fuel gauge, gear position indicator and four-wheel drive setting.

The Wolverine features a standard 12V DC outlet for powering accessories and personal items on the trail, while its new gear selector and parking brake lever are placed in intuitive, convenient and comfortable locations within the center console.

The Wolverine R-Spec comes standard with a dealer-installed, hard sun top and a ROPS US OSHA/ISO3471 cage to provide added protection from the elements.

Off-Road Capability

Yamaha incorporated industry-leading and proven technologies into the new Wolverine R-Spec chassis that all combine to create a new level of off-road capability in its class.

Yamaha’s On-Command four-wheel drive system features 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with diff-lock — and puts control in the driver’s hand with an intuitive dash-mounted dial. The driver-controlled system eliminates hesitation or slipping while waiting for a computer to engage, which is common in some competitive models.

Yamaha SxS vehicles have a reputation for durability and reliability, and this is due in large part to the exclusive Ultramatic automatic transmission that has been proven to have the industry’s most durable CVT system. The centrifugal clutch with integrated cooling fan maintains constant belt tension. This eliminates any potential slipping and slamming of the belt when at idle or engaged, ultimately reducing belt wear and heat.

Featuring high, low, reverse and neutral, the Ultramatic system with one-way sprag clutch is not only the most durable, but also provides the industry’s most consistent and natural-feeling engine braking that eliminates “free-wheeling” — an important feature especially when traversing extreme terrain.

Handling

The Wolverine R-Spec’s superior handling is achieved by the combination of numerous design and performance features, including Yamaha’s Electric Power Steering (EPS) with rack and pinion steering. Yamaha’s EPS provides the industry’s best balance of assist and positive feedback from the trail, providing maximum comfort and confidence with optimized steering ratios, a light steering feel and precise handling.

Yamaha incorporates durable four-wheel disc brakes providing strong and predictable stopping power and feel. A separate, new wet parking disc brake system provides increased durability and protection from the elements.

New Engine

The all-new Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec features a new double overhead cam (DOHC), 708cc engine with optimized torque, power delivery and engine character — for exciting recreational driving.

The fuel-injected, four-valve engine packs a 10.1:1 compression ratio and 103mm bore by 85mm stroke. A new Air Induction System (AIS) produces less emissions meeting the latest EPA standards, while the engine’s power character and delivery is optimized for technical terrain and extreme off-roading.

The Wolverine R-Spec features a high-volume air intake that is elevated to keep it out of the elements and optimizes power character for off-road situations. The oversized dual foam filter with reusable design is located under the easily removable center console and requires no tools to clean and return to the trail. Yamaha’s thoughtful design incorporates simple service features such as coolant, engine oil and gear oil drain holes that are built into full-length skid plates and easy-to-access battery and marine-grade electrical components under the removable hood panel.

Availability

The all-new Wolverine R-Spec will be available in Yamaha dealerships nationwide starting in April. Standard models feature a hard sun top and come in Steel Blue and Hunter Green. The new camo Wolverine R-Spec will be the first-ever SxS to feature Realtree Xtra^® Camo. MSPR for non-EPS models starts at $12,199 and for EPS models starts at $13,199.