With its aggressive new image, combined with a compact and nimble new chassis – and driven by a new engine with optimized torque and power delivery – the Yamaha Wolverine-R takes the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle concept into new territory. Aimed primarily at the recreational customer, the new Wolverine-R is claimed to be the most off-road capable ROV that offers class-leading comfort for two people. Featuring a compact design, look and feel, this new vehicle is built to traverse extreme terrain as well as tight, technical trails. Equipped with industry-leading technology including Yamaha’s Ultramatic fully automatic CVT transmission as well as “On-Command” 2WD/4WD/4WD with diff lock modes – together with fully adjustable suspension and an automotive style cab with intuitive controls – the Wolverine-R delivers a comfortable and confidence inspiring experience for the driver and passenger.

The Wolverine-R’s compact new chassis is shorter and narrower than the design used on the 3-seater Yamaha Viking, and these reduced dimensions give enhanced mass centralization for more agile handling. Also contributing towards the Wolverine-R’s mass centralization is the relocation of the engine 148mm further forward than on the Viking, as well as the location of the two seats further inward – and to handle more extreme terrain the chassis features a new undercarriage design that is upswept on each side. With its new ‘inset’ body design, the massive 26-inch Maxxis tyres are the widest part of the vehicle, giving this new 2 seater ROV a more purposeful and extreme look that complements its class leading off road performance.

KYB piggyback shock absorbers are used at the front and rear, and offer a class-leading suspension package with full adjustability for high and low speed compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload. Gull wing lower A-arms at the front and long A-arms at the rear ensure high levels of durability together with enhanced suspension action. Featuring 246mm wheel travel at the front, and 269mm wheel travel at the rear – together with a massive 290mm of ground clearance – the Wolverine-R’s high-specification suspension can be fine-tuned to suit a wide range of extreme off road conditions.

For strong and predictable stopping power the Wolverine-R is equipped with drilled 270mm discs at the front and rear that are gripped by compact 2-pot calipers. For increased durability and protection from the elements, a separate new ‘wet’ parking disc brake is featured.

Inside, soft and secure high-back bucket seats ensure high levels of comfort and support. Each seat has a three point seat belt and shoulder bolsters, and the driver’s seat has 3-position adjustability with a total of 90mm of movement. For added comfort all contact points in the knee and calf area are smooth, and a 3-point adjustable passenger handhold gives added security on steep or bumpy terrain. The dash features a digital display panel that includes a speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, hour meter, clock fuel gauge, gear position and four wheel drive setting – and a standard 12V outlet in the cab is there to power various devices.

Featuring a bore and stroke of 103mm x 85mm and displacing 708cc, the new single cylinder 4-stroke 4-valve liquid-cooled powerplant is equipped with a double overhead camshaft, compared to the SOHC design used on the Viking. The Wolverine-R’s engine is also located 148mm further forward in the chassis, giving greater mass centralization for agile and nimble handling performance. For optimum intake efficiency air is fed directly into the forward facing inlet and 44mm Mikuni fuel injector, while the rear facing exhaust helps to keep heat away from the driver and passenger. For more stable and efficient running, the Wolverine-R’s engine is equipped with a new front-mounted air-cooled oil cooler that stabilizes the operating temperature of the 2600cc of engine oil.

The “On-Command” system enables the Yamaha Wolverine-R driver to select 2WD, 4WD or 4WD with diff lock simply by turning a dial located on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. This Yamaha core technology has been proven on the Viking, and its intuitive and simple design makes the Wolverine-R easy and enjoyable to operate. Due to the fact that it is operated by the driver instead of a computer, the Yamaha “On-Command” system ensures instantaneous selection of the chosen drive mode, whether 2WD, 4WD or 4WD with diff lock. Combined with the fact that the driver can also instantly select high, low or reverse modes, this advanced drive system enables the Wolverine-R to traverse some of the most extreme and technical terrain.