Polaris RZR XP4 900 EFi - Road Test Review

Report: Rahul Kapoor, Photography: Mohd. Nasir

At 7 in the morning, on one of the most perfect days for some off-road fun, with a slight drizzle of rain and overcast skies, we found ourselves in the middle of barren forest land near the Delhi-Haryana border and we were given the mighty Polaris RZR XP4 900, which has just returned from Jammu & Kashmir after rescuing lives during the after math of the horrific floods that left numerous people homeless.

If you live in the real world and do watch television or keep an eye on the news, you must probably know that recently in September in the northern state of India -- Jammu & Kashmir-- a massive flood had broken out, destroying 2600 villages, leaving many homeless, helpless, stranded and hungry. With no food, no potable water, harsh temperatures and bad weather, many people went missing, some dead bodies left unidentified and many more lives lost with around 600 people dead. The numbers of deaths were increasing day by day. There were many people trying their best to help as much as they could. Polaris pitched in here with their all terrain vehicles to assist in the rescue operations. But thanks to some of these brave people, and the Indian Army who at least tried, the death toll was controlled in some ways.

Many rescue operations were launched like air lifts and aerial food drops. The small fleet of Polaris ATVs donated to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) helped them out in the rescue mission. Some of the vehicles were the Polaris Ranger Pick-up, the Polaris Ambulance and the RZR XP4 900.

Once they were brought back to the city we were asked if we would like to have a go at one of them, so we naturally obliged. Because we think it should be illegal to say no to anyone or anything who/that is a true National Hero.

So we took the 900 for a spin. Technically it is almost identical to the XP 900, but the XP4 900 has a longer wheelbase and two more seats so it can accommodate 3 passengers with the driver.

Of course these ATVs can handle all terrains; sand, slush, dirt, rock and road, but it’s an all-terrain vehicle that isn’t allowed on all terrains. The problems with the ATVs are they aren’t road legal and hence can’t be registered with a number plate. But on my way to the off-road location, I can’t help but wonder; how well this car is perfectly suited to Indian road conditions. The ride is damn near perfect on the road, normal pot holes feel like ant hills with the massively wide tyres. But if I had to drive them on the road I would prefer the optional windscreen with wipers, a roof, some side view mirrors, indicators and a horn. In India, it’s more vital to have a horn than an engine. You can’t drive without a horn! Maybe one day we could see some of these on the roads with some road tyres. I’m very hopeful for that. But before all that, this one’s a left hand drive, it has to be a right hand drive one before it can be registered in this part of the world.

Back to the where the XP4 900 is meant to be off the tarmac, and on to the rough stuff. With an 88 horsepower 4 stroke 875cc 2 cylinder engine, mated to a variable transmission and mounted on an extremely light-weight chassis the power is more than enough for a vehicle that weighs as little as this. I mean it just drives the way it looks. A full blown monster, and that plastic body looks so radical, it looks like it would bite your head off if you approach it from the front and startle it. So the best way to enter the vehicle is to strap on your helmet and gloves then slowly approach it with caution from the sides, un clamp the side nets, and strap yourself in. Adjust the steering wheel, ignite the fuel in the liquid cooled engine put it into ‘H’ (high range) to set off. I thought I was going to be gentle with it at first to get grips with the machine but it came to my notice that the car has 2 modes; stationary or cardiac arrest.