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ALL-NEW YAMAHA WOLVERINE RMAX 1000 | New model showroom | News | Vehicles

01 July 2021 / Text Size (-) (+) / Print

Yamaha have unveiled their latest side-by-side pair: the MY21 Wolverine RMAX 1000 in two or four seat option.

This new generation of 2 and 4-seater SxS models are both also available as SE (Special Edition) versions for MY21.

The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 and Wolverine RMAX4 1000 models are powered by a new and advanced 999cc engine with multiple drive modes and Yamaha’s Proven Off-Road Ultramatic® and On-Command® systems. All these innovations are housed in a new chassis.

Inspired by the Wolverine X2 850 Alu and Wolverine X4 850’s well proven engine, Yamaha’s engineers have scaled up the power for the new Wolverine RMAX 1000 models, creating a new 999cc DOHC, eight-valve, parallel twin-cylinder engine, revving to 8,500 rpm red line. Power is delivered through Yamaha’s Ultramatic® transmission, with the CVT drive system designed to accommodate the increase in power. This system also maintains constant belt-tension all the way through from idling to when the engine is called upon to engage in demanding high-rpm and high-torque situations.

Power and engine-braking are taken care of by Yamaha’s reliable On-Command® system featuring two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive with limited-slip, and full-differential lock. For the first time ever in a SxS, this new Yamaha D-Mode offers three optimised power delivery settings to match the terrain – and the mindset of the driver – while still utilising the full power of the 999cc engine via the YCC-T system. D-Mode provides three intuitive options at the turn of a dial in the driver’s cockpit:

  • Trail Mode:  Smooth acceleration, linear throttle response, and full engine braking for a fun, relaxed ride.
  • Sport Mode:  Powerful acceleration, quick throttle-response, and smooth engine-braking for a sportier experience on wide-open trails and dunes.
  • Crawl Mode:  Smooth acceleration, moderate throttle response, and full engine-braking to steadily traverse technical situations, such as rock crawling or muddy sections, with ease and confidence.

The D-Mode system is standard on every Wolverine RMAX 1000 SE model. Standard models are pre-set to Trail Mode from the factory and can be upgraded by dealer-installation of the D-Mode system, which is a Yamaha Genuine Accessory.

The all-important wheel and tyre specifications have been selected to provide each model with the ideal steering character and a comfortable, yet durable sidewall performance. The tough, aggressive tyres are arranged in a “square” setup (same size front and rear) and set on 14” aluminium wheels. The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 and Wolverine RMAX4 1000 are equipped with 30” Dirt Commander tyres while the SE models feature premium radials from Maxxis.

All Wolverine RMAX 1000 models are ready for work, with a cargo bed rated to 272kg capacity, an automotive-style tailgate which is easy to operate single-handedly – and an impressive 900kg towing capacity, using the standard 2” tow hitch receiver. The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 is equipped with a hydraulic piston-assisted dumping bed, while the RMAX4 1000 offers a feature exclusive to Yamaha – full-size rear seats, which are simple to stow, allowing for a flexible format to optimise cargo or passenger capacity whenever needed. Both beds feature steel tie-down points to securely fasten payloads.

Vehicle mass is centralized with a low-mounted rear driveshaft which is quietened further by its spiral and helical gears. The 999cc parallel twin is positioned in an inclined layout with a 270º cross-plane crankshaft and counter-balancer, while engine noise and vibration are kept to a minimum through its rubber-mounted system. Yamaha’s speed and torque-sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS) system has also been chosen for the new models, combined with a new steering rack design.

New FOX 2.0 QS3 shocks are mounted to wide-arc a-arms with a maximum ground clearance of 35cm on the Wolverine RMAX2 1000 and 34cm on the Wolverine RMAX4 1000. The Wolverine RMAX4 1000 additionally offers 36cm of front suspension travel with 34cm in the rear, and the Wolverine RMAX2 1000 ofsers suspension travel at 36cm up front and a massive 43cm in the rear. To tailor the suspension for different riding styles and situations, the QS3 shocks feature three positions – adjustable without the need for tools – that can be set for relaxed driving, trail-riding, or aggressive sport-performance.

The all-new three-piece front doors allow for easy entrance and exit with an inner-steel structure, robust inner-door handles for smooth operation in even the harshest conditions, soft touchpoints, and pre-wiring for full Yamaha Genuine Accessory speaker integration. New seats provide a high-quality look and feel, while the increased fore and aft adjustment of the driver’s seat provides added spaciousness and comfort for taller drivers. New, easy-to-adjust, six-position seatbelts offer increased security for all occupants.

A rubber over-molded steering wheel with 17 degrees of tilt adjustment, an all-new soft-touch, quick-adjust passenger handhold, padded knee areas, and a soft lid to the centre console are in the cab. A blue LED dash meter, sealed console and glove boxes, driver and passenger storage mats, an open-gate shifter, soft-touch parking brake lever, and two or six cupholders on the two- and four-seat models are in the cab. SE variations are also equipped with stylish cut-and-sew seats, a centre-mounted rear-view mirror, colour-matched interior, chrome inlays on the shifter and brake lever, all-new blue LED interior floor and centre console lighting and all-new blue LED-backlit controls for the On-Command and D-Mode systems, headlights and winch.

The sleek, yet aggressive next-generation styling of the new Wolverine RMAX 1000 adds to its imposing 162cm wide stance.

It gets new lights all-round too.

The Wolverine RMAX 1000 features fully welded steel skid plates and a replaceable front plastic skid plate. For tight situations and added protection while traversing trail obstacles, welded-on rear wheel protectors extend from the bottom of the frame to reduce obstacle contact with the rear tyres.  All Yamaha SxS frames feature a two-stage coating process. First, an automotive-style, full-submersion e-coat is applied to ensure complete coverage – even inside the frame rails and tubes – followed by an exceptionally durable powder coating process.

A robust front bumper comes standard on Wolverine RMAX 1000 models and includes two welded-steel trailering tie-down points, an integrated winch plate, accessory add-on brush guard, and accessory pod light mounting brackets. The SE versions come with a factory-fitted heavy-duty WARN VRX 4,500 lbs winch featuring IP68-rated waterproofing, durable all-metal construction, a three-stage steel planetary gear train and an easy-to-turn clutch dial. To make winch installation ultra-simple on non-equipped models, the specification already includes mounting points on the bumper and pre-wiring to a dedicated, integrated switch located on the dash.