BRP’s Can-Am Commander SxS, driven by Francisco Lopez and co-pilot Claudio Troncoso, won the Morocco Rally in the UTV category after covering 2,000 kilometres of challenging African terrains. The duo made international headlines last week due to their impressive finish in the Morocco Rally, becoming the only SxS competitor to complete the six gruelling stages of the 2011 edition, in addition to placing 21st within the car category.

Lopez and his Can-Am Nextel Team attributed their victory to the pilots’ experience, the Can-Am Commander SxS’s outstanding performance, and the unwavering support of Jaton Racing, a Spanish company that prepared the side-by-side vehicle for the race, and provided mechanical assistance through its duration.

“Our starting objective for the race was clear: test the Can-Am Commander SxS’s capacity in difficult terrains to ensure a solid performance in the 2012 Dakar. We weren’t aspiring to win,” Lopez commented after the race. “By the last day, we had a new objective: become the first SxS vehicle in the history of the UTV class to finish the Morocco Rally.”

The Can-Am Nextel Team, who drew substantial media attention during its first appearance in the 2011 Dakar, set their sights on the Moroccan desert in early 2011. The purpose was to learn from BRP’s Can-Am Commander SxS’s performance in a rally that would allow them to adapt the unit and ensure a victorious 2012 Dakar appearance in the UTV category.

“BRP’s Can-Am Commander SxS reflects our DNA in its purest tradition,” said Chris Dawson, vice-president and general manager, International division. “This very unique side-by-side has been designed to bring a new level of power, cutting-edge design and meaningful innovations. To finish first in its category in its first test – the only SxS to complete the race – certainly delivers on our promise.”

The Can-Am Nextel Team will take the wheel of a 2011 Can-Am Commander SxS in a quest to secure its second international rally victory in the UTV segment at the 34th edition of the Dakar Rally.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea Doo watercraft and boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, Can-Am all terrain and side-by-side vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines. BRP products are distributed in more than 100 countries.

www.brp.com

Discuss this race and all things Can-Am Commander over at CommanderForums.org!

BRP’s luxurious Commander 1000 Limited offers the most style and prestige of any Can-Am side-by-side, and any side-by- side in the industry. Add in the new, sophisticated Pure Magnesium painted or Orbital Blue painted plastic, 85-horsepower 976cc Rotax engine and other premium upgrades and this Commander is truly supreme. We also took comfort and convenience to the next level with the 1000 Limited by adding proven accessories — WARN® winch, Garmin® GPS, Air-Control Fox Racing Shox® — so your side-by-side not only looks good, but performs to your strict standards.

Incorporating all of our innovative Commander DNA and based off the Commander XT platform, the 1000 Limited includes an industry-leading Air Control Suspension, which allows for up to six pre-set custom suspension levels for the high- pressure gas shocks. To adjust both the front and rear suspension levels to suit trail conditions or load, simply select the desired amount of preload pressure and drive away in comfort. The Limited’s offers a distinguished appearance thanks to its two-piece hard roof, half windshield, fender mudguards, rear net and innovative dual-level cargo box with integrated rails.

BRP doesn’t stop there, however. The Commander Limited also comes from the factory with a premium sounds system complete with four speakers, AM/FM weather-resistant stereo and portable music player integration. Ride in style and entertain as the Limited will be the center of attention. A roof comes standard as well, completing the luxurious package.

2012 Can-am Commander 1000 Limited Package Highlights

1. Industry’s first luxury, touring side-by-side
2. Rotax 1000 EFI V-Twin engine with Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC)
3. Front and rear Air Control Suspension (ACS) with Fox Racing Shox
4. Two-piece roof
5. Half windshield
6. Dual-level cargo box with cargo box rails
7. Rear net
8. Mudguards
9. New 14-inch (35.6cm) cast-aluminum wheels
10. Removable Limited seats
11. Custom steering wheel
12. Two premium painted-plastic color options (Pure Magnesium and Orbital Blue)
13. Analog / digital gauge
14. Garmin GPS
15. Sound system with four speakers
16. Comes standard with the Can-Am Commander XT package:

- 4,000-pound (1,814 kg) winch kit, 26-inch (66cm) Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires, steel bumpers and more

2012 Can-am Commander 1000 Limited Feature and Benefits

Rotax 1000 EFI V-twin Engine
The Rotax 1000 80o V-twin is the most powerful rec-utility side-by-side engine in the industry*. The 85-horsepower, liquid-cooled, single overhead cam power plant features four valves per cylinder and is fed by a 54mm Bosch throttle body and two VDO Seimens fuel injectors. The sophisticated electronic fuel injection system automatically keeps the engine’s performance at its peak, regardless of temperature or altitude. A throttle-by-wire system that works in conjunction with the 54mm Bosch throttle body to produce smooth throttle delivery even if one’s foot is bouncing due to the terrain. The iTC system detects unwanted bounces and filters the input, resulting in more throttle accuracy, especially at low speed. This system also reduces the number of moving parts in the vehicle; requires no maintenance; has no cables to adjust, lubricate, or replace; and the system has an increased life span.

Air Control Suspension (ACS) with Fox Racing Shox HPG Piggyback Shocks
Can-Am engineers and designers outfitted our distinguished Commander 1000 Limited with a premier Air Control Sys- tem and premium Fox Racing Shox-built high-pressure gas shocks. The shocks, which are tuneable to supply 10 inches (25.4cm) of suspension travel up front and 10 inches (25.4cm) in the rear. The Air Control Suspension has six pre-set custom suspension levels to tune the high-pressure gas shocks for load hauling and trail conditions. Simply select the desired amount of preload pressure (1 through 6) via the LCD display and gauge and get to work. An air hose that attaches to the compressor is included so you can add air to tires during a trail ride.

A double A-arm front suspension design features up front dive-control geometry, which works to eliminate diving under heavy braking and rough terrain. By controlling vehicle dive, the Can-Am Commander handling is more precise in all situ- ations and terrain types. At the rear, the trailing arm design provides excellent control and stability, especially in rough terrain by eliminating scrub. Wheels move rearward as they move up and down producing a smoother ride than the com- petition, and the side-by-side does not waver down the trail. Plus, TTI has 75 percent fewer parts than competitive designs and significantly decreases tire wear.

4000-Pound Warn Winch
BRP chose a premium Warn winch kit for the ultimate in performance and durability. Well respected in the off-road com- munity, the WARN winch kit includes a roller fairlead, wired remote control and integrated winch remote storage.

Two-Piece Full Hard Roof
Designed to be durable and attractive, our two-piece hard roof lets you customize your Commander Limited as you see fit. It also keeps you better protected from the elements and offers a unique look compared to stock.

Half Windshield
The half windshield in the Can-Am Commander Limited creates a more stunning overall appearance. It also reduces the amount of trail debris reaching the cab, yet lets more air reach the occupants.

Heavy-Duty Front Bumper
Factory installed, the heavy-duty front bumper on the Can-Am Commander 1000 Limited is completely covered by the fac- tory warranty. It also offers added protection and gives piece of mind in rugged conditions.

Dual-Level Cargo Box With Cargo Box Rails
Along with a more rugged appearance, the cargo box rails provide additional locations to attach tie-downs for cargo carry- ing. The Commander Limited features the Can-Am’s industry-exclusive dual-level cargo box with two levels separated by a removable, water-tight panel. It offers the possibility to have an upper and a lower bed with an independent tailgate. The box has a 600-pound (272kg) total carrying capacity (400 lbs. upper; 200 lbs. lower) and has the most volume capacity in the market.

Rear Net
The addition of rear net expands upon the Commander Limited’s exclusive looks. The rear net acts an open-air cover for the rear of the ROPS-approved cab and featured the Can-Am logo.

Mudguards
Mudguards were added to the Can-Am Commander 1000 Limited’s wheel wells to enhance its look and to improve mud protection for the driver and passenger.

More information and photos can be found over at CommanderForums.org.

A new UTV from a company like BRP is something that get a lot of people excited. BRP is known for their high performance and quality products. Lots of rumors had been circulating since the president of BRP announced a few years back that they were working on a side x side, and everyone was chomping at the bit to know what they had up their sleeve.

I had my first taste of the Can-Am Commander at Little Sahara back in April, before it was introduced to the rest media. I felt very fortunate to be asked to provide input on the machine before the last stages of release. During that day in the dunes, I knew that Can-Am had not just built a rehashed Yamaha Rhino with a big engine. BRP really came up with some unique features and great performance. I had big fun running on the trails out to Sand Mountain in the 1000 X. The handling in the whoops was awesome and the power to get up on top of the whoops was exhilarating.

Since that day at Little Sahara, I traveled to Montreal for the media introduction and learned a lot from the presentations and from riding on a variety of terrain. There were some really fast trails, a small rocky section, a gravel pit, and even some mud. Like all the rest of the editors, I was thrilled with how the Commanders performed. Not surprisingly, my favorite once again was the Commander 1000 X with the upgraded Fox 2.0 shocks, 12″ beadlock wheels, black plastic and rock sliders. Right out of the box, the X is setup for aggressive driving.

Then the waiting occurred for the media embargo to lift and then for a demo unit to arrive. A Can-Am Commander 1000 XT did arrive in late July just in time for me to bring it to DuneFest 2010 up in Winchester Bay .

I was able to get some paddle tires from Fullerton Sand Sports to try out while at DuneFest and was really happy I did. After riding at Little Sahara with stock tires, I wanted to see what the Commander could do with a nice set of paddles. I was a little dubious of the 26″ STU Sand Blasters, but they did look proportionate on the Commander.

Overall, I was very pleased with the Commander 1000 in the Oregon Dunes. The big v-twin power never let me down. You could point and shoot at anything in Winchester Bay and just go without worrying. The paddle tires really looked great on the car and I liked the feel of the bigger tires under me. I did feel that I lost a bit of low end with all the paddles I had, but I knew that the future would hold more power via a Muzzys exhaust so that would help.

The one thing I did not like so much in the dunes was the stock XT shocks. This is not much of a surprise since I can over drive most OEM shocks in the dunes, but I was a bit spoiled when I drove the 1000 X with adjustable Fox 2.0 shocks at Little Sahara. The XT shocks are very comfortable for cruising, but like all other OEM shocks, they are setup too soft for aggressive driving.

After DuneFest, the next time I had the Commander out was to pre-run for the Hawthorne desert race. The XT was super comfortable and the power was great through the deep silt and sand. We did have one issue with a sidewall flat in a rocky section. The XT tires and wheels are 14″ which doesn’t leave a lot of sidewall for fast desert rides. Not surprising that we got a flat in one of the Bighorn 2.0′s, but I was a little disappointed. The 2.0′s are a nice tire for light duty applications, but I feel a normal Bighorn or a Pit Bull Rocker would be a better choice on a 12″ wheel.

From there, I had a quick opportunity to do a little rock crawling with my son on the Barrett Lake Jeep Trail. This trail is very close to the Rubicon Trail, and maybe a bit tougher. It was raining, so it made the rocks even tougher to get over. I had added a Factory UTV UHMW skid plate and a-arm guards, and it was a good thing I did because we spent some time sliding on our belly.

One accessory I did get to try out was the factory installed Warn winch on the XT. The clean installation behind the bumper and the factory installed switch on the dash made for quick work of the obstacle. But struggling to get over the rock before I broke out the winch did bring up an issue with the front differential. Can-Am has built a pretty sophisticated “locker” they call Visco-Lok. When this system detects one wheel spinning faster than its mate, it will progressively send more power to the other wheel. In most scenarios that works great. But when you are rock crawling, this delay can cause your whole car to move sideways while trying to scale a rock. Not a great scenario when slow, predictable behavior is needed.

Next up was a trip to Sand Mountain. For this trip, I had installed several aftermarket accessories to customize the Commander to my liking. These items include, Elka Stage 4 shocks, Muzzys dual exhaust with DigiTune, Fullerton Sand Sports paddle tires on OMF beadlock wheels, Baja Designs 10″ Stealth LED, PRP seats, Simpson harnesses, Factory UTV skid plates and harness bar and Axia Alloys mirrors.

Right from the start I was in awe. The transformation from a really nice UTV to “WOW!” was amazing. The Commander was climbing everything but the steep back side with ease. The extra power from the Muzzys exhaust was great and the fuel delivery was spot-on. The Elka stage 4 shocks made all the difference in the world. Nice ride in the chop, but firm over transitions and g-outs were handled without even coming close to bottoming out. The PRP seats were super comfortable and the Simpson harnesses gave me a little more sense of safety on those fast dune rides. I even had a chance to use the Stealth LED light during a night ride. The Commander high beam lights are pretty impressive by themselves, but you can never have too much light. The tight package of the Stealth LED fit right in the XT bumper and gave me just enough extra light to feel comfortable driving a bit faster. And I got to use my Axia Alloys mirrors quite a bit to make sure I did not leave the others too far in my dust….Hah!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now with all that being said, I simply love the Commander. If I was going to buy one and not do any or much modifications, I would definitely choose the 1000 X model. Beadlock wheels, Fox 2.0 shocks, love the black plastic and rock sliders are all must have features. But more than likely, I would go with the standard model and build it up. I have the XT model, and have done a few things on it that I really like.

Stage One Upgrades:

So far, I have bumped the power with a Muzzys dual exhaust, Elka Stage 4 stock replacement shocks, dune tires and beadlock wheels from Fullerton Sand Sports and OMF Performance, Seats from PRP, Harnesses from Simpson, Stealth LED light from Baja Designs, Mirrors from Axia Alloys, Skid plate and harness bar from Factory UTV, Seat belt sensor delete from Turnkey UTV and 26.5×14 Pit Bull Rockers to replace the Big Horn 2.0′s.

By Jon Crowley, UTVGuide.net

More Resources:

www.muzzys.com – Exhaust
www.prpseats.com – Suspension Seats
www.simpsonraceproducts.com – Harnesses
www.elkasuspension.com – Shocks
www.fullertonsandsports.com – Paddle Tires
www.omfperformance.com – Billet Center Beadlock Wheels
www.factoryutv.net – Sid plate and Harness bar
www.axiaalloys.com – Billet mirrors
www.bajadesigns.com – LED Bar
www.pitbulltires.com – Tires
www.turnkeyutv.com – Seat belt sensor delete
www.toddscustombillet.com – Long Travel Kit (stage two).

It was perhaps the most anticipated and long awaited performance UTV launch in the history of the UTV category. With rumors running rampant for months and in some cases years of a forthcoming performance UTV from Can-am, the Commander is finally reality and the UTV community is salivating and awaiting its arrival in dealerships this fall. Fortunately, if all goes to plan at Holz Racing Products, you won’t have to do the same when it comes to the latest suspension, chassis and performance parts for the Can-am Commander.

Holz Racing Products is now ready to tip their hand too, giving interested early Commander buyers a first look at the Holz Long Travel Suspension Kit for the Can-Am Commander. In addition to the long travel kit, Holz is also developing other Commander performance products such as Half Doors, Rock Sliders, Front and Rear Bumpers, a Skid Plate Kit and more. Working with Team Motoworks, a Can-Am equipped off-road racing effort based out of Vista, California; Mark Holz designed and developed the all-inclusive long travel kit earlier this spring. Since that time, the kit has been exposed to on-going testing by the Motoworks team.

“We designed the long travel kit to be a simple bolt-in solution,” said Mark Holz, owner of Holz Racing Products. “Just like our successful and respected Polaris RZR Long Travel +4 Kit, the Commander Kit will include all necessary hardware in one complete package.”

Like virtually all Holz Racing Products, the Holz Commander Long Travel Suspension kit will feature precision, made in the USA craftsmanship and will undergo rigorous testing both on the track and off to ensure quality is industry leading. To achieve such high standards, the Holz Commander Long Travel Suspension Kit will feature tig-welded, chromoly construction; will include necessary hardware such as tie-rod extensions, longer brake lines and axle shafts; and will be finished in a durable black powder coat.

While final details and pricing are being ironed out at this time, Holz and his crew of precision fabricators are pleased with the results thus far and are on-target to deliver the Commander Long Travel Kit to market in unison with the Can-am Commander arriving in dealerships this fall.

“We are working through the final details now,” said Holz. “The performance of the kit even in its early stages was very good, now we’re working on final calibrations.”

As those calibrations are completed, Holz Racing Products is also busy working on additional Commander products including skid-plates, rock sliders, half doors, bumpers and more. Holz is hoping to have many of those products available as the Commander arrives in dealerships this fall.

For more information on Holz Racing Products or to sign-up for their newsletter to stay abreast of the latest developments visit their website at www.holzracingproducts.com and click on UTV products or you can discuss this kit directly with them at CommanderForums.org!

About Holz Racing Products:
For the past 10 years, Holz Racing Products has engineered and extreme tested the finest quality, most effective performance parts available for UTV, ATV and snowmobile applications. Manufactured in the USA and race tested around the world, HRP leads the field in Polaris, Ski-doo, Can-Am, Kawasaki and Honda accessories and performance products. For more information visit their website at www.holzracingproducts.com or call 360-398-7006.

We were as giddy as a kid on Christmas last night when we released the official photos and specs of the all new 2011 Can-Am UTV, but there was one thing missing – price!

Sometime during the night BRP updated their website and gave us another gift of joy. Most people were speculating that it would be several thousand dollars more than it’s sporty rival, the Polaris RZR-S, but in fact, it just a mere $700 more for the loaded up performance X package! At an MSRP of $14,699, the Commander 1000 X is sure to be a hit! Consider today the Boxing Day of the UTV world as there will no doubt be some charity going around as many will be trying to dump their older UTV’s for a fraction of the cost.

1000 Standard package features:

• Rotax 1000R EFI engine, 85 hp
• The most powerful in the side-by-side industry
• Best power-to-weight ratio in its segment
• Best fuel efficiency in the industry
• Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC)
• Double A-arm front suspension with dive-control geometry
• Torsional Trailing Arm Independent (TTI) rear suspension with external sway bar
• Visco-Lok† auto-locking front differential
• Adjustable driver seat and tilt steering
• Industry-exclusive Dual-levelTM cargo box
• 2-inch diameter ROPS-approved cage
• Quick-attach side nets
• 240-watt lighting
• 650-watt magneto
• 10-gallon gas tank

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): 
$12,799 US

1000 XT™ package offers all the standard Commander 1000 features, PLUS:

• 4,000-pound [1,814 kg] winch with roller fairlead, wired remote control and integrated remote storage
• 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels
• Maxxis Bighorn∞ 2.0 tires
• Heavy-duty front bumper
• Rugged bed rails
• Mudguards
• Analog / digital gauge
• Custom steering wheel with brushed aluminum center piece

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $14,299 US (Yellow), $14,299 US (Red), $14,899 US (Camo)

1000 X™ package offers all the standard Commander 1000 features, PLUS:

• Front and rear Fox Racing Shox∞ HPG piggyback shocks with dual speed compression, rebound and preload adjustments
• Front sway bar
• 12-inch aluminum beadlock wheels
• Maxxis Bighorn∞ 2.0 tires
• Rock sliders
• Heavy-duty front bumper
• Analog/digital gauge
• Custom steering wheel with brushed aluminum center piece
• X-package seat trim and graphics

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): 
$14,699 US

800R Standard package features:
Rotax 800R EFI engine, 71 hp
The most powerful in its class
Best power-to-weight ratio in its segment
Best fuel efficiency in the industry
Intelligent Throttle Control (iTCTM)
Double A-arm front suspension with dive-control geometry
Torsional Trailing Arm Independent (TTI) rear suspension with external sway bar
Visco-Lok† auto-locking front differential
Adjustable driver seat and tilt steering
Industry-exclusive Dual-LevelTM cargo box
2-inch diameter ROPS-approved cage
Quick-attach side nets
240-watt lighting
650-watt magneto
10-gallon gas tank
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): 
$11,699 US

800R XT™ package offers all the standard Commander 800 features, PLUS:

• 4,000-pound [1,814 kg] winch with roller fairlead, wired remote control and integrated remote storage
• 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires
• 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels
• Analog/digital gauge
• Heavy-duty front bumper
• Rugged bed rails
• Mudguards
• Custom steering wheel with brushed aluminum center piece

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): 
$13,199 US (Yellow), $13,799 US (Camo)

One of the more exciting phone calls I’ve ever received was the one from a representative of BRP in April asking if I’d be interested in testing “a new Can-Am product”. They wouldn’t tell me anything more than we were to meet in Brawley California, and have a testing session in Glamis. The crew that was coming to the session had never stepped foot in Glamis before, so I was asked to lead the team to a remote camp area and show them around. I was delighted! We’ve known for some time that BRP was going to be coming out with a UTV and I knew what this was all about! I was so excited that I lost sleep day dreaming about what this machine was going to be like. Having prior knowledge of Can-Am products, I had a really good feeling what I was about to learn about would likely change the UTV game as we know it!

I set out to Brawley the night before we were to meet on a Thursday morning at 6:00am. After meeting the crew for an introduction and breakfast, we hit the road to Glamis. I took them to get passes, and then to a private campground where we would have some privacy. While they were unloading, I was in such suspense that I wanted it to last. I wanted the overall package of what they were about to present to be a total surprise, so I went back to my truck and geared up for the day.

I walked up to the Can-Am rig about the time they were rolling the Commander X out of the trailer! The machine had a disguise similar to what you might see a new automobile wearing while out testing. The first things I noticed were its yellow trimmings. Sticking out like a sore thumb under the disguised UTV were 12” beadlock wheels with yellow lock rings! These are the same wheels we’re used to seeing on the Renegade. Looking up from the wheels and Maxis Bighorn tires, I see that they’re sporting matching yellow springs on Fox piggy back shocks. Looking down from there, what’s this, trailing arms? No way! In the first few minutes of looking at this machine, I knew that BRP had done their homework, and this was going to be an epic day!

Looking around the rear wheel wells I noticed that this UTV has one rear disk brake mounted on one wheel. “We’ve got a live rear end”. This, the trailing arms, the visco-lock front diff, the Renegade beadlocks……… WAIT! “What’s under the hood”? Could it be the V-Twin Rotax 800cc engine currently used in the Outlander, Renegade’s, and the Rhino? I had to know and I had to know immediately. I asked one of the crew members if we could remove the hood and take a look. He obliged and began pulling the cowl off. Yup! I guessed it! There sat an 800cc V-Twin Rotax. WAIT! “How big is it”? What graced my ears right then and there sealed the deal that the Commander was going to be a performer. “It’s a 1000cc’s”, replied a Can-Am rep. I was giddy with excitement. I had no question that what I was about to drive was going to be the most exciting UTV ever to come out of a manufacturer! For those who don’t know, I’m a big Rotax fan, and I know these engines well. The 800cc version has been swapped into Yamaha Rhino’s for years, and they’ve proven to be extremely reliable, while being one of the fastest naturally aspirated UTV’s ever.

“Is this thing gassed up? When can I drive it”? Oh wait. I should probably check out the interior and body styling first. The Commander X that I was looking at was still wearing it’s disguise. I was told they would remove it for me for a few minutes only, and the cover would have to go back on for our ride.
I jumped into the driver’s seat and began to get a feel for the interior. The first thing I noticed was the yellow trimmed seats. “These are good looking and very comfortable”, I thought. The seating position was also very comforting. I felt low to the ground with good pedal position, and a great overall feel! The digital gauge readout is behind the steering wheel, and it moves up and down with the Commander’s tilt steering. Nice touch BRP. The instrumentation and dash layout, along with the full center console has the look and feel of a sports car. The console houses 2 cup holders, a sporty passenger grab handle, and the shifter. The Can-Am also has very nice side nets. I normally find side nets to be hard to use and annoying. Not these. The front of the side net has a frame of sorts and a buckle similar to a seatbelt. The latch is stationary on the frame making securing the net almost effortless. Again, nice touch BRP!

“Alright, let’s get a look at this thing”! I took a few steps back as the covers were being removed. Once the front cover was removed I saw a style that I was familiar with and love. The projector headlights and buckets looks just like a Renegade. The styling is like nothing we’ve seen on a UTV. It looks fast! The yellow and black hood opens accessing the radiator, overflow tank, and the neatly tucked away air box. Looking down the sides I notice factory nerf bars, or rock sliders. Moving onto the back I notice the styling in the rear is also different that what we’re used to seeing. Again, it looks sporty, but something’s different? Upon further inspection I see that the bed tilts! “Awesome, we have a true sport-utility here”! The bed looks big and useful. In the bottom of the bed there is what I would call a false floor. When you pull it up you’ll find a ton more storage space underneath. This area can also be accessed from the rear of the bed, under the tailgate.

Time to drive it! We geared up and put the first two Commanders to ever ride in Glamis to work! I strapped in, turned the key on, and pushed the start button on the dash. I immediately heard a sound I’m familiar with. The smooth rumble of the Rotax V-Twin under my right foot! I checked the shifter for gear selection. Shifting from park to high, I noticed the shifting is very smooth and the clutch is silent. The throttle response is quick utilizing drive by wire technology.
I took my time idling the machine through the flats and into the virgin dunes. There was not a track out there on this particular Thursday! The dunes were extremely soft, and the transitions were sharp. Being used to a long travel UTV, I was a bit nervous at first. Leading the group into the dunes I pushed the 4wd button and started making some lines. The first thing I noticed was the performance of the suspension. Transitions were smoother and more stable than I’m used to in a stock width machine. The Fox shocks and trailing arm suspension soaked up the g-out ‘s with ease. Once we hit part of sand highway I was able to get a feel for how it would work in the whoops. I turned down Sand Highway and let her rip! The acceleration was amazing. I was doing 50 in no time and headed towards some gnarly whoops. Instead of slowing down, I let them have it. 50+ MPH, and straight as an arrow over some of the larger whoops you’ll see in the dunes.

I took the Can-Am reps up and over to the Osborn Overlook. The Commander did awesome in the big dunes. It was incredibly fast through the bowls, and went over the sharp razorbacks with ease. The power and acceleration is amazing! Standing on the gas in this machine is a rush to say the least. I’ve driven every stock UTV out there, and this one is the fastest by far! We stopped to take a break and check out the view. Getting out of the Commander and trying to explain my built up excitement to 3 people who speak very little English was interesting. The language barrier took a bit of getting used to, but I think everyone knew how I felt by the size of the ridiculous smile on my face! One of the gentlemen spoke English and he took note of nearly everything I had to say about the UTV. After a short break, I suggested that we head down to the sand drags to open this thing up and see just how fast it would go in the sand. We took a spirited ride over to the drags and I took a few laps to get a feel for the bumps. I found a line with no bumps and let her rip. The car accelerated up to 50 in what felt like no time and kept pulling all the way up to 65mph. I think it had a couple more in it. It will likely be in the 70mph range with a set of paddles or on hard pack.

On our drive back to camp I decided we couldn’t leave without taking the guys to Oldsmobile Hill. There, I could also get a feel for the Commanders hill climbing performance. We weaved our way through the dunes and over to Olds. When we got to the bottom, the Can-Am boys were a bit taken by it. They asked me if I was seriously going to climb it. I said, “Of course I am! I’m not passing up this opportunity” I buckled in and took a medium pace through the whoops and then stood on it! Going up the right side of the hill felt very fast and instead of slowing down over the top, it maintained most of its speed. I then took it over to the not so steep side where everyone gets their speed numbers from. This time I hammered it through the bumps and stood in it as hard as I could. I was shocked to look down at the gauges and see that I was going 50mph over the top of the hill. This UTV means business!

It dawned on me that we used to have fun driving UTV’s 35mph down the drags only a few years ago. The same UTV’s were lucky to even get over the top of the hill, let alone at 50mph! This sport has progressed so far in 4 years that I cannot even vision what it could be like in 4 more. These things might have wings and we can fly them to the dunes!

My overall experience testing the Commander X was unbelievable. Having had some experience with Can-Am products in the past, I expected something nice that would definitely have some horsepower under the hood. What I saw and drove was a great looking machine that’s been so well thought out, I couldn’t find any one thing I didn’t like about it. I was asked what I did not like about it, and I honestly had to take a moment to go back over the unit one more time. All I could come up with was, “well, I guess the muffler could look sportier”. I believe that what I drove that day is going to be the UTV that sets the pace in today’s UTV market. This is what the people have asked for, and they got it. I did some thinking about all the major complaints from UTV owners and by the looks and performance of the new Commander, BRP did some thinking to.

Pictures and videos of our ride to follow!

Written by Brian B.

We are happy to announce the official release of Can-Am’s new UTV, the Commander! There’s been so much speculation and so many rumors over past year, that it almost seemed as if it was more imaginary than real. Well today is definitely magical as we have finally found our unicorn!

BRP brings Can-Am DNA to the side-by-side market by introducing the 2011 Can-Am Commander™ line-up. The five model line-up with two engine options delivers on the Can-Am promise of cutting-edge design, meaningful innovation and a focus on convenience, maximum value and more usability for the consumer.

This very unique side-by-side family has been designed to bring a new level of power, handling and user-focused features to the industry. Power comes from two engine options: a powerful Rotax 800 V-Twin EFI engine, and now a Rotax 1000 V-Twin EFI engine. This gives the Commander the most power and best fuel efficiency in the industry. For example, the Commander 1000 is 39 percent more fuel efficient than its class competitor.

The Can-Am Commander line reflects BRP’s commitment to offering the side-by-side customer a machine that does not force the rider to compromise performance for functionality. Innovative features like the Dual-Level cargo box, TTI rear suspension, anti-dive front-end geometry and more, throttle-by-wire through its Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC™) system, a 2-inch diameter rollover protection system (ROPS-approved), the most fuel capacity in the industry (38 liters or 10 gallons); and the most cockpit storage of any other side-by-side. Combined with the most powerful and fuel-efficient engines in the industry, this means the Can-Am Commander is immediately the vehicle of choice for the side-by-side customer.

2011 Can-am Commander 1000 Family HigHligHts:
»    85 HP Rotax 1000 EFI V-Twin engine
»    Industry-leading fuel mileage
»    Dual-level cargo box
»    Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC)
»    Visco-Lok front differential
»    TTI rear suspension
»    Double A-arm front suspension with dive-control geometry
»    2-inch diameter, high strength steel, ROPS-approved cage
»    1,928 cubic inches (31.6 litres) cockpit storage
»    240-watt lighting
»    Quick-attach side nets
»    10-gallon (38 litres) gas tank
»    Normal & Performance D.E.S.S.TM Keys (w/ an optional third work key)
»    3-point seatbelts with anti-cinch
»    11-inch (35 cm) of total ground clearance
»    214mm disc brakes with twin-piston calipers
»    26-inch Carlisle‡ Black Rock radial tires on 12” wheels (base model)
»    1,500 lbs. (680 kg) towing capacity
»    2-inch rear hitch receiver
»    Comfort seats with sit-in fore / aft driver adjustment
»    Adjustable-tilt steering
»    Passenger handhold and grab bar
»    Dual cup holders
»    650-watt magneto
»    Easy-to-use maintenance centre
»    Base model available in yellow

Can-am Commander 1000 Xt PaCkage inCludes:
»    4,000-pound winch
»    26-inch Maxxis‡ Bighorn 2.0 tires
»    14-inch Cast aluminum wheels
»    Analog/digital gauge
»    Heavy-duty front bumper
»    Rugged bed rails
»    Mud guards
»    Leather steering wheel
»    Available in Red, Yellow and an optional industry-exclusive NEXT‡ G-1 Vista camouflage.

Can-am Commander 1000 X PaCkage inCludes:
»    Fully adjustable front and rear Fox Racing Shox‡ HPG piggyback shocks
»    Front sway bar »    12-inch aluminum beadlock wheels
»    26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires
»    Analog/digital gauge
»    Heavy-duty front bumper
»    Rock sliders
»    Leather steering wheel
»    X-package seat trim and graphics
»    Available in black with yellow accents

Can-am Commander 1000 Family Features and BeneFits:

Rotax 1000 V-TWIN ENGINE // Newly developed for this project, the Rotax 1000 80o V-twin is the most powerful side-by-side engine in the industry* with 85 HP. The liquid-cooled, single overhead cam power plant features four valves per cylinder and is fed by a 54mm Bosch‡ throttle body and two VDO Seimens‡ fuel injectors. The sophisticated electronic fuel injection system automatically keeps the engine’s perfor- mance at its peak, regardless of temperature or altitude.

INDUSTRY-LEADING FUEL MILAGE // Not only is the Rotax 1000 V-Twin EFI engine the most powerful engine in the side-by-side industry, it also has class-leading fuel mileage. Meaning you can stay on the trails longer.

INTELLIGENT THROTTLE CONTROL (ITC) // New throttle-by-wire system that works in conjunction with the 54mm Bosch‡ throttle body to product smooth throttle delivery even if one’s foot is bouncing due to the terrain. The iTC system detects unwanted bounces and filters the input, resulting in more throttle ac- curacy, especially at low speed. This system also reduces the number of moving parts in the vehicle; has no cables to adjust, lubricate, or replace; and the system has an increased life span.

DUAL-LEVEL CARGO BOX // BRP’s Can-Am Commander 1000 features the industry’s first cargo box with two levels separated by a removable, water-resistant panel. It offers the possibility to have an upper and a lower bed with an independent tailgate. Carrying capacity of the box is 600 lbs. total capacity. (400 lbs. upper, 200 lbs. lower) and has the most volume capacity in the market. The tilt-assist dump- box can be easily activated from both sides. The Commander’s box is constructed of high-strength, anti- rust and anti-dent composite. Easily removable tail gates (upper and lower), no-tools needed with single latch, truck-like, upper and lower tail gate with four tie down hooks located in corners. There are also integrated vertical grooves for plywood dividers and the Can-Am Commander also comes with an optional trunk lock as an accessory to secure the lower level.

VISCO-LOK FRONT DIFFERENTIAL // Progressively transfers power from a slipping front wheel to the gripping one – automatically with no buttons to push or levers to pull. Plus, there’s no wheel hop or driveline wind-up so the system is totally transparent to the driver and extremely easy to steer. Can lock up to 100% with no rev or speed limiter. The Can-Am Commander is the only side-by-side vehicle in the industry with a progressively locking front differential requiring no additional switches to flip and engage the locking mechanism. Simply put it in four-wheel drive and ride, the differential will begin to lock only when you need it allowing you to steer easily in challenging conditions.

TORSIONAL TRAILING ARM INDEPENDENT (TTI) REAR SUSPENSION // Inspired from the world of top- level, off-road trophy trucks, this trailing arm design provides excellent control and stability, especially in rough terrain by eliminating scrub. Wheels move rearward as they move up and down producing a smoother ride than the competition, and the side-by-side does not waver down the trail. Plus, TTI has up to 75 percent fewer parts than competitive designs and significantly decreases tire wear. The rear end features 10 inches (25 cm) of travel and the largest diameter rear, five-way preload-adjustable gas shocks in the industry 36mm (1.4 inches) for overall durability and better resistance to fading.

DOUBLE A-ARMS FRONT SUSPENSION WITH DIVE-CONTROL GEOMETRY // Double A-arm suspension design features up front dive-control geometry, which works to eliminate diving under heavy braking and rough terrain. By controlling vehicle dive, the Can-Am Commander handling is more precise in all situa- tions and terrain types. The front end features 10 inches of travel (25 cm) and the largest diameter front, five-way preload-adjustable gas shocks in the industry (36mm or 1.4 inches) for overall durability and better resistance to fading.

2-INCH DIAMETER, HIGH STRENGTH STEEL, ROPS-APPROVED CAGE // The Can-Am Commander family of side-by-side vehicles feature a two-inch-diameter, high-strength steel cage that is fully approved using the Roll-over Protective Structures (ROPS) industry standard.

1,928 CUBIC INCHES (31.6 LITRES) COCKPIT STORAGE // The Can-Am Commander 1000 family features the most cockpit storage in the industry with almost 2,000 cubic inches of storage in three separate compartments. The glove box features 1,050 cubic inches of storage that can be divided into separate sections. In the center console, easily accessible by both the driver and passenger, features 79 cubic inches. Finally, there are 799 cubic inches of storage under the fully adjustable driver’s seat.

26-INCH CARLISLE BLACK ROCK RADIAL TIRES ON 12-INCH WHEELS (BASE MODEL) // The base model of BRP’s Can-Am Commander 1000 line features rugged Carlisle Black Rock radial tires mounted on 12- inch wheels. This six-ply radial tire is designed specifically for side-by-side applications.

240-WATT LIGHTING SYSTEM //    The Can-Am Commander 1000 family of side-by-side vehicles features the industry’s best lighting system at 240 watts. Dual left and right automotive-style projectors run at 120 watts in low beam and 240 watts in high-beam mode.

QUICK-ATTACH SIDE NETS // Side nets on both the passenger and driver side are easy to open and close with one-hand and one-click. It was specifically designed to keep a clear field of vision for driver and passenger.

10-GALLON (38 LITRES) GAS TANK // Largest gas tank in the side-by-side industry for maximum range out on the trail and at the work site. Total capacity is 11 percent more than the nearest competitor.

NORMAL & PERFORMANCE D.E.S.S KEYS (W/ AN OPTIONAL THIRD WORK KEY // The industry’s first standard anti-theft device. Electronic code in key must match code in ECU to start. The Commander 1000 family comes with two different keys. One is the normal key, which limits top speed to 44mph (70 km/h). The second key is the performance key which has no limitation on speed or power. An optional third work key is available for purchase and limits top speed to 25 mph (40 km/h) for use on work sites.

3-POINT SEATBELTS WITH ANTI-CINCH // Three-point seatbelt features anti-cinch design for added comfort. Speed limitation feature if driver’s seatbelt is not fastened properly.

11 INCHES OF TOTAL GROUND CLEARANCE // 11 inches (35cm) of total ground clearance for maximum performance in challenging terrain. Sag is built into the suspension, allowing the system to work in its travel “sweet spot”.

214MM DISC BRAKES WITH TWIN-PISTON CALIPERS // Front and rear outboard disc brakes with 214mm discs and twin-piston calipers.

1,500 LBS (680 KG) TOWING CAPACITY // The Can-Am Commander 1000 family features 1,500 lbs. of towing capacity allowing the user to tow heavy loads.

2-INCH REAR HITCH RECEIVER // The rear of the vehicle features a standard two-inch hitch receiver allowing for a standard vehicle towing bar and ball to be used with the Commander 1000 family

COMFORT SEATS WITH SIT-IN FORE / AFT DRIVER ADJUSTMENT // Both driver and passenger sit in seats designed to give maximum comfort and refine the side-by-side experience. Full bolster seats provide lum- bar and shoulder support, and provide comfort in aggressive riding situations. Both seats are designed to allow easy entry and exit of the machine. The driver seat is also adjustable fore and aft without the need of tools; it is an automotive-style adjustment for 6.3 inches (16 cm) of total adjustment.

REMOVABLE, FREE-STANDING SEATS // Both seats are removable and free-standing allowing them to be used outside the vehicle. Set them up around the campfire at the end of a long day of riding and enjoy the evening in comfort.

ADJUSTABLE, FREE-STANDING SEATS // The steering wheel is adjustable for a total range of 30.5 degrees without the need of tools. The gauge also pivots with the steering wheel for maximum visibility.

PASSENGER HANDHOLD AND GRAB BAR // Ergonomically designed passenger handholds are located immediately in front of the passenger and to their left-hand side. The passenger grab bar in front of the seat features ergonomically correct bends for multiple and comfortable hand positions. The left-hand grip bar on the center console provides the passenger an additional handhold located in a convenient and comfortable position when required.

DUAL CUP HOLDERS // Two cup holders in the center console feature rubber flaps for off-road use.

650-WATT MAGNETO // The Commander 1000 has the largest magneto in the industry, a full 30-percent more than its nearest competitor. This means the electrical system can dedicate up to 300 free watts to power accessories like extra lighting, GPS systems, radios, speakers and more.

EASY-TO-USE MAINTENANCE CENTRE // Easily accessible and out of the elements under the hood, a centralized maintenance area allows access to the airbox, radiator and coolant overflow. Fuses and relays are also easily accessible.

BASE COLOR OPTION // The Can-Am Commander 1000 base model is available in a signature yellow color.

To discuss the all new Commander, please visit us here: http://www.commanderforums.org/