@Horsepower Lifestyles
A few things I missed; I guess my Speed Energy Cool Aid buzz wore off!
The CVT cover is metal vs plastic like the others. But what’s really different is the design & function of that cover. The TAPP CVT has a spindle shaft & bearing on the end of it, and this recessed into the CVT cover. What this does is act as a tie bar keeping the clutches in proper alinement at all times. It reduces the massive load & weight hanging off the end of the crank shaft. It reduces belt wear and heat. And creates another double shear point and acts as another matting point for the engine & trans. This is like nothing done before and again is patented, so can’t be duplicated.
Another design feature that Speed chose and some others like Yamaha has chosen, and Arctic Car had done previously, but no longer does. Speed located the radiators in the the back. There are some pluses & cons. As a buggy guy this would seem normal and is really the only option. But UTV’s have consistently put the radiator up front. The issues with it up front as we all know is the increased heat into the cab. The negative pressure under the dash area pulls this heat in. Adding full doors magnifies the issue. Adding a windshield makes it so much worse. With the radiator in the back you remove that cab heat and remove the coolant lines through the floorboards. But having the radiators in the back can also be a concern if you want to run a windshield, just like we have seen in the buggy’s. Robby has tested and feels anything under 90 degrees outside temp and you should be fine with a windshield. Over 90 and it’s been suggested you remove the windshield for air flow. Also the Speed radiator uses 3 fans.
In Asia they ran the car at a 2.5 mile oval test track in 118 degree heat. They ran at 15-30 min intervals at 80-90 mph non stop in 3rd gear. It was said the water temps were high, but the rear radiator & fans kept the engine from going into a limp mode or failing. Robby admitted he had his doubts they would not blow a engine or at least a belt as they had never attempted to run these extremes before. they also did these tests with 2 & 4 people including the car to see how the airflow might be disturbed. They also range the high banked oval track right & left to make sure the engine would not starve for oil.
Several brands are now starting to add alternators to their cars. I think the XX was the first, and again a RG design. Speed also has a high output Alternator that runs off a single serpentine belt along with the PS pump.
Another feature Speed offers and is standard on the Limited & RG trims is a positive air flow roof that reduces negative cabin pressure and helps bring more air flow in to the radiators.
Speeds Engine & Trans mounting design is unique and only the XX has something similar. But that’s because Robby designed that too. But the engine hangs from the chassis vs being mounted at the bottom of the chassis. This not only adds protection to the engine trans if you were to case or the chassis was to take a hard hit. But it also allows Speed to make the rear lower part of the chassis, to be removable. Then I believe it was said, 6 bolts, two coolant lines, PS lines and unplug the engine wiring harness and the engine & trans can be pulled straight out the back in one piece like a VW engine.
All Speed models & Trims come standard with the same size 32 inch tire on a 15 inch wheel. Most brands that’s only for the top model or trims. I’m not even sure if the other brands offer a 32 inch tire as standard. I ask forgot yo mention the Speed UTV is the only 77 inch wide car offered in the industry, and was designed to fit a 35 inch tire, including in the bed for your spare, and still fit the Speed crescent storage box.
Back to shocks for a quick second. Speed claims you will not have to revalue the stock shock as the 13-14 bypass zones, the fully adjustable compression & rebound should be tunable without having to open & revalve like the other brands do. Speed claims to have tuned this suspension for what we do, and even with this proper valving tune, at the proper ride hight, the car passed the Federal J turn test with no problems and actually exceed the requirements. It’s been said Speed will offer a guide of where to adjust your compression & rebound for the type of riding you are doing.
Spare parts? Many are concerned about will there be spare parts if I needs them? Speeds agreement with the suppliers is a 20% parts storage. So for every 100 cars built their needs to be 20 cars worth of parts available for warranty or just customer needs. This % will change as more cars are built and it’s identified what needs more inventory and what needs less.
