ROUSH DIESEL QUAD BIKE WILL GO ON GENERAL SALE
11 September 2004 - Roush Technologies Limited

The Roush Diesel Quad Bike, developed originally for the defence and security sectors, is to be introduced for the civilian commercial market.

Moreover, the machine will be available in fully homologated ‘road legal’ configurations.

The latest Roush diesel quad is derived from one of the top-end models in Artic Cat’s current range – and boasts a significantly bigger payload and better performance than the previous development machine. The initial model also includes a large 24.6 litre rear mounted fuel tank to give an extended range. Other benefits include larger wheels and tyres – giving improved mobility on soft ground – and the ability to tow a loaded trailer of approaching half a tonne.

The Arctic Cat chassis offers a number of best-in-class features. These include 330mm of ground clearance and 254mm of ‘ground-following’ suspension travel. In addition, spring pre-load adjustment (five positions on both front and rear) allows the rider to select optimum settings to suit the prevailing conditions or load. These features combine to provide excellent rideability – and sure-footed stability, even in difficult conditions. The quad bike can carry 45.3 kg on the front rack – and 90.7 kg on the rear rack.

The twin cylinder in-line 686cc engine develops 18hp – and a massive 39 Nm of torque. The engine is water cooled and naturally aspirated. Transmission is via an automatic gearbox, with both a high and low range, which provides responsive acceleration and effective engine braking. Final drive is through sealed drive shafts, front and rear and constant velocity (cv) joints. The underside of the drive train is protected by a high-density skid plate to prevent damage when manoeuvring over stumps, rocks and other obstructions.

Roush Special Vehicles Business Development Manager, Darren Harvey says, “The latest Roush/Arctic Cat diesel quad bike represents a quantum leap in our development programme. Our close understanding of the military operating environment means that we have been able to design in a significant number of features which will directly meet their requirements.
Of course, a machine which delivers operational solutions for special forces will readily adapt to a whole range of civilian applications. Our experience indicates that there are major benefits to be gained by bringing a quad bike to the civilian commercial market which has a military development pedigree – as opposed to the more challenging task of preparing a leisure market derived product to suit a military or heavy duty commercial environment”.

The original concept of engineering a modern generation, twin-cylinder diesel engine into a quad bike was undertaken by Roush two years ago. At the time, the programme was focused specifically on the requirements of military users seeking to achieve a single common fuel for all equipment in the battlefield, whilst providing special forces and infantry with greater flexibility and mobility.

The military prototype units were unveiled earlier this year – since when, pre-production trials and demonstrations have confirmed significant interest in the unit from civilian commercial customers – including the agricultural, equestrian and forestry sectors and some local authority and emergency services.

A further small ‘pre-production’ run of the Roush Diesel Quad is scheduled for completion by the end of 2004. Production units are expected to be available in limited numbers around Easter 2005. Roush has not confirmed an external market price for the unit. However, current expectations are that the diesel variant will carry a premium of around 15% on the normal list price of a specific model.

www.roush.co.uk

More News
  For September 2004
  From Roush Technologies Limited
  For Motorcycles
  Biker247.com Home Page