2014 Polaris Sportsman ACE Preview
Polaris has been hard at work developing something new and exciting for the powersports enthusiast. St. Pete Powersports will get you on it first!
While the patent drawings we based our story off of looked a little more like a one-seat RZR, the Sportsman ACE looks very much like a lengthened Sportsman 570 ATV with a roll cage. A review of the official Polaris specifications for the ACE shows several dimensions that exactly match that ATV.
View The Rest of The Polaris Sportsman Line »
The Sportsman ACE is 48 inches wide with 10.25 inches of ground clearance — numbers shared by the Sportsman 570. The Sportsman ACE also boasts Macpherson Strut front suspension with 8.2 inches of travel and dual A-arm rear suspension with 9.5 inches of travel — the same numbers found on the Sportsman 570. Polaris says the rear suspension is outfitted with twin tube shocks featuring adjustable preload.
Polaris is creating a new segment with the introduction of the Sportsman ACE.
Powering the Sportsman ACE is an all-new 32 horsepower ProStar Electronic Fuel Injected (EFI) Engine featuring an internal counter-balance shaft. Polaris did not reveal the engine's displacement — even after we requested it. We were told that horsepower is a "way better indicator" than displacement. We suppose this is true, but enquiring minds want to know. We did a little digging and discovered the new ProStar engine produces just slightly more power than a Sportsman 400, which has a 455cc mill. We'd imagine the new ProStar would come in around the same displacement (may be slightly smaller and more efficient), but it's hard to know exactly. Polaris did note that the Sportsman ACE "matches the output" of now retired Sportsman 500.
Related Reading: Check Out What Else The Polaris RZR Family Has to Offer
If you can imagine the Sportsman ACE without a roll cage, it would look very similar to a regular ATV.
Protecting the rider like a regular ATV can't, the Sportsman ACE is outfitted with a ROPS cab frame. Also setting this model apart from an ATV is the high-backed, adjustable bucket seat, which comes paired with an adjustable steering wheel. It is also equipped with a three-point seat belt and has side bolsters designed to keep the operator properly positioned in the center of the machine. The steering wheel offers 3.5 inches of tilt adjustment and the driver's seat slides back and forth by four inches to customize the fit for the operator. You can enter the Sportsman ACE through either side. Side nets feature a metal rod to secure them both for clipping and positioning the nets to the back of the vehicle while exiting. The vehicle also is equipped with halogen lighting.
Check Out The Details on The Sportsman ACE
According to Polaris, the dual overhead camshafts and a 4-valve cylinder head work with the advanced engine management system to deliver the fuel charge for impressive power and instant, predictable throttle response. The engine is designed to reduce internal friction which reduces noise and increases efficiency. Polaris says it is the most fuel-efficient engine it has ever offered. With 5.25 gallons of fuel capacity, the Sportsman ACE should have excellent range.
Polaris' familiar On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system is found on the Sportsman ACE, which is designed to eliminate the guesswork by automatically engaging when the driver needs more forward traction and then reverts back to two-wheel drive automatically when the AWD is no longer needed. Stopping power comes from linked, four-wheel disc brakes with braided stainless steel brake lines. For added protection on the trail, accessories such as doors, front and rear brush guards, rock sliders, and a variety of custom wheel and tire packages are available. To protect the driver from the elements, optional Lock & Ride roof, windshield and rear panel install in seconds.
The front storage rack/compartment is borrowed from the Sportsman ATV line.
Despite its diminutive size, the Sportsman ACE is designed to be a capable work companion. With an integrated 2.8-gallon front storage compartment and a high-capacity Lock & Ride cargo box with rack extenders and rear tie-down rails that also accepts the accessory Lock & Ride cargo box for additional dry storage, the vehicle can carry up to 575 pounds of gear — including up to 120 pounds on the front end. The Sportsman ACE is pre-wired for the installation of a winch with up to 3,500 pounds of capacity and can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
The rear cargo box is similar to the one found in the Polaris RZR.
"The introduction of the Sportsman ACE is part of our strategy to remain the leader in the powersports marketplace by introducing innovative products that define their categories," says David Longren, vice president of Polaris' Off-Road Division. "In creating the Sportsman ACE, we wanted to not only appeal to current off-road enthusiasts, but develop a vehicle that brings new customers to off-road recreation. We accomplished this by coupling an easy-to-use, nimble platform with a confident and secure ride that, together, provides drivers of all experience levels a new way to experience the outdoors."
More Information, Photos and Specs on The Sportsman ACE
It will be interesting to see who is in the market for this unique machine. With a surprisingly attractive price tag you may see a good number of these on the trails.
You can expect to find the Sportsman ACE at St. Pete Powersports in February.
2014 POLARIS SPORTSMAN ACE SPECS
- MSRP:
- $7,499
- Engine:
- 32 horsepower, 4-Stroke DOHC Single Cylinder
- Induction:
- 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/Active Descent Control:
- N/A
- Rear Suspension:
- MacPherson Strut With 8.2" (20.8 cm) Travel
- Front Suspension:
- Dual A-Arm, 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
- Front Tires:
- 25 x 8-12; 489
- Rear Tires:
- 25 x 10-12; 489
- Wheels:
- Stamped Steel
- Length/Width/Height:
- 90 in x 48 in x 68 in
- Dry Weight:
- 835 lbs
- Wheelbase:
- 61.5 in
- Ground Clearance:
- 10.25 in
- Seat Height:
- N/A
- Fuel Capacity:
- 5.25 gal
- Front/Rear Rack or Cargo Box Capacity:
- 120 lb/240 lb
- Payload Capacity:
- 575 lbs
- Towing Capacity:
- 1,500 lbs
- Hitch Type:
- Standard 1.25 in Receiver
- Cargo System:
- Lock & Ride
- Lighting:
- Halogen, 55W low/ 60W high
- Instrumentation:
- Digital Gauge, Analog Speedometer, Odometer, Tachometer, Tripmeter, Gear Indicator, Fuel Gauge, AWD Indicator, Hi-Temp/Low-Batt Lights, DC Outlet
St. Pete Powersports is conveniently located near the areas of Tampa, Clearwater, Orlando and Fort Myers.