Polaris Has Just Created A Dune Buggy With More Power Than An Audi RS3
Polaris put sports car power into its sand-slinging buggy, which debuts at the 2027 King of the Hammers desert race
A couple of months ago, Polaris unveiled an extreme version of its popular RZR, badged the Pro R Boost. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and 275 horsepower, it's a side-by-side that packs a serious punch. Polaris obviously wasn't satisfied with Hyundai Elantra N levels of performance and has now unveiled an even crazier version of the RZR with significantly more grunt. Meet the RZR Pro R Factory Boost.
Unlike the standard Pro R Boost, the Pro R Factory Boost is designed for desert and sand racing. It uses a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder known as the ProStar Fury with 400 hp. We don't yet know how much torque this engine has, though with 400 hp, the latest RZR has more power than a U.S.-spec Audi RS3 with 394 hp. That should make it an absolute weapon in the sand and on pretty much any other terrain imaginable.
The RZR Pro R Factory Boost is so focused that it features lightweight carbon fiber bodywork and has been designed to slice through the air at over 100 mph. This explains why it looks much sleeker than the normal, consumer-focused RZR Pro R. It also benefits from a 6.5-inch longer wheelbase to improve stability and body control. A set of beefy BF Goodrich tires connects the side-by-side to the terrain, while custom three-inch internal bypass Dynamix DV Live Valve shocks soak up any and all bumps. A Fox steering damper absorbs larger impacts.
RS3 power, but it costs way more
The modifications don't stop here. The RZR Pro R Factory Boost includes a new competition-ready cage and a cab that's two inches wider. It also includes a large 34-gallon fuel tank and has a driving range of more than 200 miles. A full MoTeC package and ECU with different power distribution settings control the 2.0-liter engine's monstrous power output.
Each example will be built by the Polaris RZR Factory Racing team, and the RZR Pro R Factory Boost will make its competitive debut at the 2027 King of The Hammers event running from January 21, 2027, through to February 6, 2027. Crucially, you don't need to run a racing team or be a competitive racer to buy one, but you will need a lot of money. Prices start at $200,000, or almost three times the starting price of the aforementioned Audi RS3. Evidently, you'll need to be a serious off-roading enthusiast to drop this kind of money on a non-road-legal side-by-side.
Polaris