When it comes to ATV manufacturers, few push the envelope year after year like BRP with its Can-Am lineup of off-road four-wheelers. The 2012 model year is certainly no exception, as the Canadian ATV builder came out with guns blazing once again.

For 2012, BRP has swiped the 976cc V-Twin from its Commander UTV and shoved into both its Can-Am Outlander and Renegade ATV platforms, completely redesigned the chassis of its big bore Outlanders and Renegades, updated its Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) system with three selectable modes, and added a handful of option packages and upgrades throughout its off-road family. Beyond that, the humble Canadians were fairly quiet.

More Power!
According to BRP, the 80-degree, 976cc, V-Twin engine powering the new Outlander 1000 and Renegade 1000 produces an industry-leading 82 horsepower – 17% more power than any competitive ATV.

The engine is almost identical to the one found in the Commander 1000. It’s only missing intelligent throttle control (iTC) and a plenum. As well, the new 1000cc ATVs offer three less horsepower due to a different intake tract.

We had a chance to test out the new 1000 engine package and it is as beastly as expected. Acceleration is incredible and the engine produces absolutely brutal power, despite nice manners at slow speeds. In the right hands both the Outlander and Renegade 1000 would be awfully tough to beat in a lap around your local trail.

In our opinion, both the new 1000 models are tools best used by highly experienced riders who crave outrageous performance. Newer riders should look elsewhere as this is the kind of power that can get away from you. Even the 800R package is hugely powerful and demands respect from its rider, but it’s a little easier to manage.

More Powerplant Upgrades
In addition to adding the new engine, BRP completely redesigned the big-bore Outlander and Renegade platforms (1000 and 800R models). A new air box was added, which has been reconfigured and placed at a higher and more centralized location for filtering and processing air. BRP says the air box features a dual-room design that improves the air filtration process and the quality of air. It does this by capturing dirty air in one portion of the box and clean air in another section before it sends the air to the engine. The air intake is also higher in the frame, which was designed to improve performance in the mud and water.

When the filter requires maintenance or inspection all you have to do is remove the seat, console plastic and exterior push plate. The air filter is attached to the air box housing with a new screw-on system and push plate, which create a tight seal.

The 2012 big-bore Outlanders and Renegades also come with an updated transmission cover with an improved seal, while a dedicated drain plug has been built into the cover. The automatic transmission (High, Low, Park, Neutral, Reverse) comes with standard engine braking.

BRP is well aware that 4x4 machines like these will be ridden hard so its engineers added a larger radiator with a cooling capacity of 27 kW on the Outlander and Renegade 1000 and 22 kW on the 800R models, compared to 14 kW on the 2011 800Rs.

Outlander and Renegade Chassis Upgrades
While the new engine will get the headlines, both the big-bore Outlanders and Renegades received wholesale chassis changes. Highlighting the updated chassis is a brand-new Surrounding Spar Technology (SST) G2 frame. BRP says its welded-steel frame offers updated geometry for increased structural integrity, improved durability and precision handling. As well, BRP says the SST design provides increased strength, a lower center of gravity, and requires fewer components, materials and welds than a traditional tubular steel chassis.

In addition to the new frame, BRP engineers also went to work on the suspension. The redesigned double A-arm front suspension features what BRP calls dive-control geometry and now offers 9.0 inches of travel. As for the back end, it is outfitted with a reconfigured Trailing Torsional Independent (TTI) rear suspension. The TTI was redesigned to offer increased rigidity and more travel (9.3 inches) while including a removable external sway bar. As well, the TTI now features lower pivot points to help improve traction and better transfer power to the ground. Five-way preload adjustable HPG shocks are found at all four corners.

Other changes include new 12-inch cast-aluminum “computer optimized” wheels (Outlanders mated to 26-inch Carlisle Badland tires, Renegades mated to 25-inch ITP Holeshot Air tires), which feature a center-less design to reduce unsprung weight. As well, the Outlanders receive reinforced composite cargo racks (200 lb. rear/100 lb. front) which replace the previous tubular steel setup and feature an anti-skid surface and numerous edges and holes for use with tie-downs and bungee cords. Slowing both the Outlanders and Renegades down are two 214mm disc brakes with twin-piston calipers in the front and rear. As for lighting, the Outlanders are equipped with twin 60-watt reflectors and dual 55-watt projectors, while the Renegades are outfitted with four 60-watt projectors.

Next Level Option Packages
The Can-Am lineup is littered with a wide variety of option packages and some new ones were added and others tweaked for 2012.

Both the Outlander 800R and 1000 are available in Can-Am’s XT package. Highlighting this package is the new Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering (DPS), which now allows the user to choose between three different levels of steering assistance (MIN, MED and MAX) depending on the terrain. This is another envelope-pushing advancement from BRP and one we are pretty excited about testing fully.

Mated to the DPS is a Visco-Lok QE, which is basically a quicker-engaging version of the Visco-Lok front differential found on the base model Outlanders and Renegades.

Other XT features include a 3,000-pound Warn winch, a custom finish on the cast aluminum wheels, 26-inch Carlisle ACT radial tires, heavy-duty front and rear bumpers, 650-watt magneto, handlebar wind deflectors, and optional painted plastic.

The Outlander 800R is available in two other packages, the XT-P and the mud-specific X mr, but neither uses the new G2 chassis. The Outlander 800R X mr (a superb and ridiculously fun machine, by the way) actually uses the longer two-up Outlander MAX chassis, while the 800R XT-P (and LTD) uses last season’s G1 chassis.

As for the Renegades, both the 1000 and 800R are available in an updated X xc package. This package includes the new Tri-Mode DPS and Visco-Lok QE, as well as Fox Racing Podium X piggyback shocks with high- and low-speed compression adjustability, rebound and preload adjustment. Other features include 12-inch aluminum beadlock wheels, X xc specific graphics, X-package seat cover, aluminum skid plates, handlebar wind deflectors, aluminum taper-profile handlebar, and a 650-watt magneto.

BRP’s two-up Can-Am ATVs also see a new package in the form of the Outlander MAX 800R XT-P and Outlander MAX 650 XT-P. Newly configured for 2012, BRP says these are the only sport-oriented two-up ATVs in the industry. The XT-P package includes Air Controlled Suspension in the back, 12-inch XT-specific cast aluminum wheels, painted Black/Flat Black and Yellow color scheme, Tri-Mode DPS, Visco-Lok QE, 650-watt magneto, XT-specific front and rear bumper, BRP XL 3000 winch, and X-package handlebar with wind deflectors.

Commander 1000 Limited
The Commander family was largely untouched for 2012, but BRP did come out with a trick-looking Limited package for the Can-Am Commander 1000. BRP is calling it the industry’s first luxury touring side-by-side.

The Commander 1000 Limited package includes Air Controlled Suspension (front and rear), two-piece roof, half windshield, duel-level cargo box with cargo box rails, rear net, mudguards, 14-inch cast aluminum wheels, removable Limited seats, custom steering wheel, two premium painted-plastic options (Pure Magnesium or Orbital Blue), analog/digital gauge, Garmin GPS, sound system with four speakers, 4000-pound winch, 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires, steel bumpers and more.

For more information, visit http://www.can-am.brp.com/.