We have: Can-Am Commander 1000 XT

All of you who have ever tried an ATV off-road know how much fun driving in the field can be, and even better if it serves as a tool for you when working in the forest, on a farm or even more ... in the wilderness if your work is exploratory or if you are a member of the green fraternity.

An SUV, even if it's just a 15-year-old Lada Niva or Suzuki Samurai, has its limits and by no means rises to an ATV.

Commander, the latest product from the Canadian giant BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), is a mixture of the typical sports four-wheeler and light SUV (not counting Defenders, Patrols and Land Cruisers).

In the US and Australia, similar crossovers have been very popular on farms or outside cities for at least a decade, and Can-Am had an empty box offering its SUVs.

It was brought to the US in the summer and we only tested the first specimen that landed on our soil. In particular, we drove the Commander 1000 XT, which represents the top of the line in terms of engine power and equipment.

If you are tempted like toys, you need to have a little on hand to be able to afford it. As we drove it, it costs 19.900 800 euros. But for four thousand less, you get the base XNUMX cc version, which undoubtedly lags far behind the more powerful model.

At its core, the Commander is similar to the Outlander ATV, except that it is wider and longer, and has a strong roll cage that protects tethered passengers when the vehicle rolls over.

The superior Maxxis off-road tires have been mounted to a steel frame with individual suspensions that are propelled on the rear pair of wheels, or all four, if you like. The driving mode can be selected by simply pressing a button, which is ergonomically located on the dashboard, close to the height-adjustable steering wheel.

The heart of this Commander is, of course, the state-of-the-art 1.000 cf V-cylinder engine produced by its subsidiary Rotax (a similar engine was once found in the Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille and Tuono). The device is made for durability and flexibility,

which comes to the fore in the field and accommodates 85 "horses". With a full tank (38 liters), there is enough fuel for a day trip to the forest. Power is enough for wild skidding on gravel roads or climbing very steep slopes. Last but not least, the car is designed in a minimalist style, it has only the most essential components and a plastic superstructure, so that its weight does not exceed 600 kilograms. So light and detached from the excess cover that is considered necessary in passenger cars (doors, roofs, windows ...), it easily makes its way through the thicket.

Power is sent to the wheels directly through the CVT automatic transmission, so the driver always has accurate information about what is happening under the wheels, and the ride can be easily adjusted by adding or removing gas. It is also interesting to use the ignition key position to determine whether you will drive at full power (for sporty driving) or slower with a longer (softer) engine response to throttle. The latter is very convenient on wet asphalt, where otherwise the wheels move very quickly to neutral, and is a good safety device.

The driver and front passenger have as much room as the average mid-range car, while the seats are sporty and well supportive. The driver is even adjustable, so with an adjustable steering wheel, there really is no problem finding the perfect position. The accelerator and brake pedals are well positioned as well, and if Can-Am also intends to make more conventional vehicles, they could easily copy the commander's space for the driver and front passenger. But I would like better side protection. Mesh doors sewn from sturdy belts like those used for seat belts probably do prevent the driver or front passenger from falling out of the car, but a little more plastic will help increase the sense of security if something goes wrong. plan when sliding sideways.

A few words about spaciousness and "internal" equipment. You will wash it with a high pressure cleaner, which is the only correct solution because dirt and water get inside. The only "dry" part of the car is the glove box in front of the co-driver and the large cargo box under the mini-body (which, by the way, tips over). The idea of ​​a double trunk (one open and one closed waterproof) seems like a great idea to us. This is a feature of Commander, even if you compare it with competitors.

The chassis pleasantly surprised us. The suspension on the test Commander was phenomenal at swallowing bumps. We drove it along the gravel bank of the river, along the rugged track for carts, cut by tractor wheels, but the car never began to lose control.

It's easy to say that cross-country driving and the comfort it offers are very similar to those typical of inertial rally cars. A few years ago we had the opportunity to test the Mitsubishi Pajero Group N plant, and so far we have never been so stuck in the "ugly" land with a single car. Praise is all the more worthy because the Commander is a production car, not a racing car.

Much of this is also due to the front differential lock, which ensures that it is distributed to the wheel with the best grip when the wheels are idling.

In Slovenia, the Commander will also be approved for road use, but don't expect it to drive very far on the highway. Its upper limit is 120 km / h. Otherwise, the most interesting is where the ground is slippery, rugged, and where you will meet the bear before the truck.

This is a wildlife toy.

engine: two-cylinder, four-stroke, 976 cm3, liquid cooling, electronic injection


fuels.

Maximum power: 85 KM / NP

Maximum torque: np

Energy transfer: Continuously variable transmission CVT, 2wd, 4wd, reducer, reverse gear,


front differential lock.

Frame: steel.

Suspension: front double A-arms, 254mm travel, single rear suspension, 254mm.

brakes: front two coils (diameter 214 mm), rear single coil (diameter 214 mm).

Tires: 27 x 9 x 12 at the front and 27 x 11 x 12 at the back.

Wheelbase: 1.925 mm.

Vehicle floor height from the ground: 279 mm.

Fuel tank: 38 l.

Dry weight: 587 kg.

Representative: Ski-Sea, doo, Ločica ob Savinja 49 b, 3313 Polzela, 03 492 00 40,


www.ski-sea.si.

First impression

Appearance

The commander looks aggressive, like a lunar lander we might one day circle the moon. Its appearance is different and makes it clear that its owner is an adventurer who is not afraid of the weather. 5/5

engine

The model we tested was equipped with a modern two-cylinder engine and deserves the highest marks. 5/5

Comfort

The suspension is excellent, as is the position behind the adjustable handlebars (seat and steering wheel). Its off-road performance is excellent. 5/5

Price

The base price is certainly attractive, even the base diesel model will be reasonably priced. But the prestige of this biggest Renault cannot be bought. 3/5

First


evaluation

No other four-wheeled car has received such high marks, perhaps also because this car already looks more like a car. This is definitely an extremely efficient cross that knows no obstacles in the field. Even if you had to choose between ATVs and Commander, you would choose the latter. Only the price is quite salty. 5/5

Petr Kavcic, photo: Bostjan Svetlicic, factory