Can-Am Maverick X3: 154hp triple!

Can-Am promised something barnstorming, and that's what been delivered with the Maverick X3, a turbocharged, intercooled 900cc in-line triple that produces a claimed 154hp at 7500rpm and a massive 153Nm at 7000rpm.

There are three different iterations: the Maverick X3 Turbo R (white), Maverick X3 X ds Turbo R (Circuit Yellow or Triple Black) and Maverick X3 X rs Turbo R (Gold and Can-Am Red).

The engine is placed in the rear of the chassis, and the Maverick features what BRP calls “a highly efficient airflow system that’s optimised from intake to exhaust to deliver superb engine efficiency and performance". Three oversized air intakes are positioned behind the driver: two to help cool the CVT and one to direct cold air to the engine.

The Maverick X3 has a new QRS-X transmission which Can-Am says virtually eliminates turbo lag and "enhances throttle response without torque interruption".

The chassis has new Dual-Phase 980 steel tubing, which is lighter than traditional steel and has better torsional stiffness.

A new four-link TTX rear suspension system controls up to 610mm of travel.

“BRP developed an all-new four-link TTX suspension, which features a trophy truck-like trailing arm and three links that control wheel toe for optimal geometry during extra high wheel travel,” BRP says in a release.

Up front, the Maverick X3 features arched double tubular A-arm suspension with sway bar. This controls 558mm of travel on the Maverick X3 X rs Turbo R and 508mm of travel on the other models.

The X3 is also wide, too: 1829mm, "specifically for dunes and wide-open desert riding". Which is what Bikesales hopes to be doing in an iconic location next month… More on that soon…

The Maverick X3s come with a different shock packages:

•    The base Turbo R has FOX 2.5 Podium HPG Piggyback shocks with front and rear QS3 compression adjustment and rear bottom-out control.
•    The X ds has fully adjustable FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 HPG Piggyback shock with front and rear dual-speed compression and rebound adjustments, as well as rear bottom-out control.
•    The X rs package has fully adjustable FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 PHG Piggyback shocks with bypass and dual-speed compression and rebound (front), and FOX 3.0 Podium RC2 HPG shocks with remote reservoir and bypass, paired with dual-speed compression and rebound adjustments (rear).

The cockpit features a flat-bottom steering wheel, which tilts up to 25 degrees and has an integrated gauge. Other features include a panoramic mirror, multifunction analogue/digital gauge (speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip and hour meters, fuel, gear position, sport mode, ECO mode, seat belt and 4×4 indicator, diagnostics, clock and auto shut off) and low seating position.

The steering wheel requires just 1.5 turns to go from lock-to-lock. Two driving modes are available (Eco and Sport), while the Tri-Mode dynamic power steering system offers three levels of assistance.

There are 262mm discs up front and 248mm discs in the rear, and other features include a 40-litre fuel tank, nearly 10 litres of storage, 90kg capacity rear rack, and a keyless start-stop button activated by a digitally encoded security system.

BRP Australia is yet to announce local availability or pricing.