2024 Can-Am Maverick R First Look: An Unrivaled Off-Road UTV
A 240 hp engine, a 7-speed dual-clutch, and massive 26 inches of wheel travel upend the performance side-by-side category.
Just when you thought the side-by-side market couldn't get any wilder, it has. Can-Am just shocked the UTV landscape by unveiling the all-new 2024 Maverick R. Designed to go toe-to-toe with the Polaris Pro R, and be nearly race-ready out of the box, the Maverick R packs best-in-class horsepower, suspension performance, and a wild new 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. After more than five years in development and 500,000 kilometers of testing, the Maverick R is finally ready to meet the world. Let's dig in to all the wild specs that make this new side-by-side unique.
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More Powerful New Engine
The heart of the 2024 Can-Am Maverick R is an all-new turbocharged 999 cc inline three-cylinder Rotax engine, which pumps out an impressive best-in-class 240 hp. The new engine boasts such upgrades as forged aluminum pistons, plasma-coated cylinder bores, a closed-deck head design, and 8-tension rods running from the crankcase through the engine block and to the head. Dual fuel injectors feed each of the three cylinders, operating in tandem to ensure that there is always plenty of juice on tap. Each piston is outfit with an oil squirter for additional cooling, while a dry-sump oil system keeps the lubrication flowing even at insane angles. A new 54 mm Rotax turbocharger is directly mounted to the engine block allowing for an integrated, tubeless, oil and cooling system. The turbocharger is also the first of its kind to employ an electronically actuated wastegate.
Three distinct drive modes are available on the Maverick R: Normal, Sport, and Sport+. When the most aggressive Sport+ mode is selected the engine's Advanced Response Technology (ART) system becomes active. The goal of the ART system is to eliminate any sort of performance lag caused by the turbocharger. To accomplish this, the engine deactivates the ignition on the middle cylinder while simultaneously retarding timing on the other two and holds the throttle body opened wider. The combination causes the turbocharger to spool up and begin producing boost pressure at idle. When throttle is applied the third cylinder reactivates and the engine sends maximum power to the transmission in an instant. On paper, the ART system all but eliminates the need for a separate launch control program.
Innovative 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission
Ditching the ubiquitous drive belt, Rotax has developed an all-new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission just for the Maverick R. The new gear-on-gear transmission provides seamless and instantaneous gear changes which can either be automated or controlled manually by a pair of steering column mounted paddles. Park, neutral, high, and low gears are selected by way of an electronic gear shifted mounted in the center console. Shifts between high and low range can be performed on-the-fly.
The vehicle's selectable drive modes also effect transmission shifting. With the transmission in "auto" and the Normal drive mode selected gear shifts will occur in the 3,500 to 4,500 rpm range. Selecting either Sport or Sport+ moves the gear shift point up to 8,500 rpm, allowing the engine to send the maximum amount of power to the wheels while simultaneously singing a glorious song through the exhaust. Maintaining the new DCT box is as simple as changing the oil, and reliability is maintained through the use of a dedicated clutch cooling circuit and transmission fluid heat exchanger with dual electric fans.
Improved Chassis
Supporting the increased horsepower is a revolutionary new chassis. Constructed of high-strength dual-phase tubular steel, this chassis features increased strength and rigidity over previous models. The new design significantly reduces stress on bolted connections, including the front and rear suspension components. Double bonded bushings are employed on suspension components and provide a quieter and smoother ride. The Maverick R features a class-leading 77-inch track width, has a 108-inch wheelbase, and sports up to 17 inches of ground clearance. Getting everything stopped are massive 265 mm front brake discs with 32 mm three-piston rotors. Brakes in the rear feature 255 mm discs with 30 mm dual-piston calipers.
Pioneering Suspension With Massive Travel
If you've seen photos of the new Maverick R then you know that the innovative new suspension system is on full display. What Can-Am is calling its heavy-duty tall-knuckle design allows the vehicle to achieve a massive 25 inches of wheel travel in the front with 26 inches in the rear. The front knuckles are constructed of forged aluminum and connect the stamped steel upper and lower control arms. In addition to facilitating wheel travel, the unique design and large spread between the upper and lower control arms also works to reduce stress on other suspension components. The front upper control arms see an amazing 85 percent reduction in load, while the tie rod load is reduced by 15 percent. Out back, the tall knuckle design reduces the load by 45 percent on the toe line and 38 percent on the upper links.
The fun doesn't stop there as the tall knuckle design also works to raise the vehicle's force-based roll center closer to its center of gravity. This reduces the vehicle's tendency to roll by half, resulting in less roll movement per lateral G of acceleration. Practically speaking, this keeps the tires flatter against the terrain while turning, resulting in more predictable handling and behavior. By placing the ball joint above the tire, the tall knuckle design minimizes spindle length, scrub radius, and kingpin angle. Altogether, this results in effortless and predictable steering with less tendency to kickback in rough terrain.
Latest Generation Fox Dampers
Fox returns as the damper of choice on the new Maverick R with the company's most advanced third-generation Live Valve technology. Base Maverick R and Maverick R X models come equipped with Fox Podium 2.5-inch piggyback internal bypass coilovers with QS3 manual compression adjusters. Moving to the Maverick R X RS gets Fox Podium RC2 shocks with manual dual-speed compression and rebound adjusters. The rear shocks also increase in diameter to 3.0-inches.
Optional on the Maverick R X RS are the Fox Podium dampers featuring Smart-Shox technology. Featuring Fox's latest Live Valve technology, these semi-active dampers have the ability to adjust both compression and rebound damping on the fly. Utilizing an electronic main post valve along with a base valve, these shocks give the Maverick R six-times greater compression tuning than any other vehicle on the market. Powered by an IMU module that reads pitch, yaw, and roll along with four accelerometers (one at each corner) and suspension position sensors the Live Valve shocks are capable of making adjustments to rebound or compression in just 17 milliseconds and can do more than 200 real-time adjustments per second.
High Performance Tires & Wheels
Putting power to the ground are the ITP Tenacity XNR tires. These tires carry a higher speed and load rating than traditional side-by-side rubber to meet the demands of this powerful new vehicle. Base Maverick R and Maverick R X models come fit with 30x10.5-inch tires on 15-inch aluminum wheels. Maverick R X RS models bump up to a 32x10.5-inch tire mounted to 16-inch aluminum beadlock wheels. The Maverick R also features the industry's first 6-lug, 139.7mm, bolt pattern, which is standard on some pickups.
Interior Experience & Features
Interestingly, the only carryover part from the Maverick X3 are the Maverick R's seats. And we're ok with that, as the four-way adjustable seats with retracting harness have proven exceedingly comfortable in the past. Adding to the premium driving experience is an adjustable, telescoping, steering column with a supercar inspired steering wheel with paddle shifters and buttons for controlling the infotainment system. As a first in the Can-Am off-road lineup, the Maverick R also features a massive 10.25-inch color touch screen. The intuitive user interface offers vehicle performance information, driving stats, front and rear cameras, phone control, music, and navigation through the BRP GO! app.
What Does The Maverick R Cost?
The new 2024 Can-Am Maverick R is available to order starting now and will begin arriving in dealer showrooms soon. With a starting price of just $35,499 the Maverick R is quite the bargain. Stepping up to a fully loaded Maverick R X RS with Smart-Shox will bump the base price to $44,299. Outfitting that X RS with every option available, which includes a glass windshield, rock sliders, bumpers, mirrors, audio system, storage boxes, and so much more pushes the price to $61,981, not including freight or delivery. Sadly, Can-Am has not announced any plans for a four-seat model at this time.
Jason Gonderman was born and raised in sunny Southern California and grew up with subscriptions to 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Four Wheeler, and many other off-road magazines. The off-road bug bit hard after a summer building up a Baja Bug with friends to drive in the sand dunes of Glamis (Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area). After that it was over and he bought his first 4wd vehicle, a 1999 Ford Ranger that eventually transformed into a capable desert pre-runner and back-country adventurer. Jason has logged thousands of miles off-road in many different terrains and vehicles. He has raced the Baja 1000, participated in the Ultimate Adventure, and covered Top Truck Challenge, Diesel Power Challenge, Real Truck Club Challenge, and many other big name events. When not behind the computer Jason can be found fabricating truck parts, shooting short-course off-road races, riding dirt bikes with his wife, or participating in any sort of other 'extreme' activity.
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