2012 Polaris Ranger RZR 570 Preview
We were fortunate enough to be invited to see what we thought was Polaris’ entire 2012 lineup a few weeks back at a press event in Northern Ontario, Canada. We saw a brand new Ranger Crew Diesel, a more powerful Sportsman XP 850 and a host of minor tweaks to much of the remaining Polaris off-road family. You can read all about it here.
What we didn’t know was that Polaris was holding back. In fact, the off-road media was kept completely in the dark about a very interesting new machine – the Ranger RZR 570.
In hindsight, perhaps we should have known better. We say this because Polaris has introduced a new Ranger RZR model every year since the original RZR was unveiled for the 2008 model year. Why should 2012 be any different?
The new Polaris Ranger RZR 570 borrows a lot from the original RZR 800, including its 50-inch width.
The new Ranger RZR 570 shares a lot in common with the original RZR. Like the original RZR, the RZR 570 is just 50 inches wide so you can use it on most ATV trails without issue. What sets it apart is an enticing price tag of $9,999 ($1,300 less than the RZR 800) and a brand new engine.
Powering the RZR 570 is a brand new ProStar 570 engine, built specifically for Side-by-Side vehicles.
“The launch of the Ranger RZR 800 introduced the industry to the first trail-capable Side-by-Side,” says Matt Homan, vice president and general manager of Polaris’ Off-Road Division. “With the success of the Ranger RZR 800, we saw the need for a single-cylinder model at a price point that will allow more customers to enter the trail-capable Side-by-Side segment.”
At the heart of the Ranger RZR 570 is an all-new ProStar 570 single cylinder, DOHC, electronic fuel injected engine. This is the second engine in the ProStar family and is made specifically for Side-by-Side vehicles. The first ProStar engine was the ProStar 900 introduced earlier this year in the Ranger RZR XP 900. The ProStar 570 has 650 watts of stator output and features a removable cargo bed floor and a wet sump for easy serviceability.
To complement the new mill, Polaris equipped the Ranger RZR 570 with a new transmission that was designed to optimize the ProStar 570’s power. According to Polaris, its optimized gear geometry means more power to the ground, less driveline noise and lighter weight. The innovative design, first featured on the Ranger RZR XP 900, features a helical cut final drive with high torque capacity to maximize efficiency.
An all-new Independent Rear Suspension system provides 9.5 in. of suspension travel.
Helping the Ranger RZR 570 handle the most rugged trails is an all-new Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) that provides 9.5-inches of travel in the rear. The front suspension features Dual A-Arms with 9-inches of suspension travel. Coupling the front and rear suspension with a 77-inch long wheelbase, pre-load adjustable ZF Sachs Shocks on all four corners and exclusive front and rear anti-sway bars helps keep the chassis flat while cornering.
Polaris boasts that since the launch of the Ranger RZR 800 in 2008, no other manufacturer offers a trail-capable Side-by-Side. At 50 inches wide, the Ranger RZR 570 is the second trail-capable model in the family.
Like the original RZR 800, the new RZR 570 places the engine behind the seat to help give the machine a low center of gravity. It also features True All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which Polaris says is the easiest-to-use and fastest responding on-demand system that automatically engages all four wheels when forward traction is needed. It automatically reverts back to two-wheel drive when AWD is no longer needed. According to Polaris, this system provides easier steering and less wear on driveline components.
As for comfort features, the Ranger RZR 570 comes outfitted with tilt steering as well as adjustable hand rails and seats. Protecting the driver and passenger is a certified Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) and side nets. To help you carry along all your gear, the RZR 570 features a new rear cargo box (300-pound capacity) with Lock & Ride accessory technology and built-in rack extenders.
Throw everything you need for a day’s ride in the rear cargo box.
Available in Indy Red, the 2012 Polaris Ranger RZR 570 will be available at dealerships in the fall.
| 2012 Polaris Ranger RZR 570 Specs | |
| Engine Type | 4-Stroke DOHC Single Cylinder |
| Displacement | 567cc |
| Fuel System | Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Cooling | Liquid |
| Transmission/Final Drive | Automatic PVT P/R/N/L/H; Shaft |
| Drive System | On-Demand True AWD/2WD |
| Engine Braking System | Not Equipped |
| Front Suspension | Dual A-Arm with Anti-Sway Bar 9″ (22.9 cm) Travel |
| Rear Suspension | Dual A-Arm, Rolled with Anti-Sway Bar 9.5″ (24 cm) Travel |
| Front/Rear Brakes | 4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc with Dual-Bore Front Calipers |
| Parking Brake | Park in Transmission |
| Tires | Front – 25 x 8-12; Ancla |
| Wheels | Stamped Steel |
| Wheelbase | 77 in. |
| Dry Weight | 945 lb. |
| Overall Vehicle Size (L x W x H) | 103 in. x 50 in. x 69 in. |
| Ground Clearance | 10 in. |
| Fuel Capacity | 7.25 gal. |
| Bed Box Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20 in. x 40 in. x 9 in. |
| Box Capacity | 300 lb. |
| Payload Capacity | 740 lb. |
| Hitch Towing Rating | 1,500 lb. |
| Hitch/Type | Standard/1.25 in. Receiver |
| Cargo System | Lock & Ride |
| Lighting | Halogen, 50W |
| Instrumentation | Digital Gauge, Speedometer, Odometer, Tachometer, Tripmeter, Hour Meter, Clock, Gear Indicator, Fuel Gauge, Hi-Temp/ |
| Colors | Indy Red |
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I have been working exclusively in digital media since 1997. I started out with TSN.ca, spending nearly nine years creating and editing content on Canada's leading sports website. I left to join VerticalScope, Inc., one of the world's largest online publishers, to start a number of powersports publications. While at VerticalScope, I've helped create and oversee content for a wide variety of different publications, including ATV.com, Off-Road.com, ArcheryTalk.com, Tractor.com, RVGuide.com, and many more.
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