Polaris Unveils RZR PRO XP Dakar Race Vehicle

Dakar ready.

The winningest brand in UTV racing, Polaris RZR, debuted the RZR Pro XP that its three factory team drivers will race in their conquest of the SSV class at the 2021 Dakar Rally—one of the world’s most grueling and historic desert races. Utilizing the industry-leading RZR Pro XP platform, the proven RZR Factory Racing team is well-armed to battle the unrelenting terrain of Dakar and demonstrate their racing prowess in Polaris’ first trip to the Dakar Rally.

Polaris and the RZR Factory Racing team are poised to continue innovating and raising the bar of performance race vehicles. The knowledge acquired from racing is crucial to the future design of production vehicles. Countless hours of research, development and testing on the race course has led to the current RZR Pro XP Platform. The RZR Pro XP is proven, winning the Baja 1000, Baja 500, short course races, WORCS races, East Coast XC races, and the UTV World Championships all in the last year.

The RZR Factory Racing RZR Pro XP is powered by a 4-stroke fuel-injected, DOHC, turbocharged, twin cylinder 925cc engine, fueled by a 130L fuel cell, and capable of a top speed of 130 KPH (80.77 MPH). A Motec ECU with custom wiring and dash, custom switch pad and onboard diagnostics will ensure optimal performance, and a rear-mounted radiator with a custom roof scoop will provide maximum airflow. A lightweight lithium battery set up by Braille Battery will power the RZR Pro XP throughout its inaugural Dakar campaign.

The team is also using an FIA homologated chassis, customized by Jimco Racing, and based off the Polaris RZR Pro XP platform. With a 96” wheelbase, 74” wide stance, and custom suspension with an additional 1.5” of travel compared to stock, the vehicle is built to perform on the harsh Dakar terrain. A custom FOX RACING SHOX suspension with increased reservoir capacity has been chosen for increased cooling, performance, and greater adjustability. In the cockpit, Sparco racing seats and safety harnesses ensure comfort and driver safety during the 12-day race. The chassis also has an integrated spare parts and tool storage supply, which will undoubtedly prove imperative since there will be no pit crew, and drivers will need to make their own repairs while on the course.

For the nearly 5,000-mile-long race, the team has chosen to utilize 30” high-performance BF Goodrich tires, wrapped around sturdy aluminum 15” Method Race Wheels with beadlocks. The vehicle is equipped with a full four-corner hydraulic disc brake system, with a dual master cylinder setup and driver-controlled brake bias for maximized braking performance and control to navigate the unknown obstacles that have made Dakar a race all its own.

The team will tackle the world’s toughest race beginning January 3, 2021 through January 15, 2021 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.