Polaris 2004 Annual Report Download - page 17

2004 Annual Report 13
RFIDs meet ATVs — Polaris’ proprietary
SpeedKey™system allows owners to set the
speed at which others drive their RANGERs.
A set of color-coded keys loaded with Radio
Frequency ID (RFID) technology communicate
with the carburetor to regulate velocity. Yellow
keys keep the RANGER under 25 mph, while
black keys allow for top speed.
The new 900 Fusion features 82 patentable
ideas — including the Rider Select™comfort
system, which offers seven different handlebar
positions for customizing a rider’s position to
their style of riding.
The new Polaris Technology Center will include
state-of-the-art virtual and laboratory testing,
as well as field proving grounds for ensuring
Polaris products are the fastest, toughest,
safest, and best-riding vehicles on the market.
Technology is
our differentiator
Polaris has historically been a
technology leader in the powersports
industry, with industry-first innovations
that improve vehicle power, fuel-
performance, ride, handling and
comfort. In 2004 about 60 percent
of our sales came from products
introduced within the last three years.
To maintain our leadership position,
we are making the largest investment
in the history of the company.
Opening in April 2005, the
new Polaris Technology Center in
Wyoming, Minn. will be the most
advanced powersports product
development facility of its kind. By
consolidating several of the research
and development departments
currently located at three factory
locations, the center will create a
more centralized R&D hub for ATVs
and motorcycles while much of the
snowmobile R&D will remain at the
current Roseau location.
As competition in all powersports
categories tightens and regulatory
agencies continue to raise the bar
on emissions requirements, power-
trains will become even more
important as a differentiator. Engines
and transmissions represent the best
opportunity to enhance vehicle
performance and provide a unique
ride. Here’s a sampling of some of our
most recent powertrain innovations:
Snowmobiles. Our Liberty 900 Engine
is a lightweight high-displacement
twin that features a long-stroke,
high-torque design for rapid-fire
acceleration and smooth power
delivery from idle to full velocity.
Liberty 900 also features a CleanFire™
Injection system that improves fuel
economy and reduces fuel emissions.
Environmental sensitivity is the
key for snowmobiles to gain access
to our nation’s most beautiful places
to ride — such as Yellowstone National
Park. Polaris is taking the lead on
developing cleaner snowmobile
engine technology. Our new four-
stroke snowmobiles for model year
2006 feature our CleanFire fuel
injection system and a reliable four-
valve-per cylinder overhead cam
engine that exceeds Environmental
Protection Agency emissions
standards through 2012.
Motorcycles. We introduced the
92-cubic inch, 5-speed transmission
Freedom™V-twin engine on our Victory
Vegas models a few years ago. Then
we took it up a notch with a 100-
cubic inch, 6-speed Freedom V-twin
on our new Hammer motorcycle. The
editors at Motorcycle Cruiser magazine
were pleased with the results:
“The beefed-up (Hammer) engine
works well with even more authoritative
acceleration throughout the rpm range
than the (Vegas and Kingpin) Freedom
engine, which already rules the world of
mid-teens V-twins. The welcome sixth
gear makes highway cruising a relaxed
proposition and … allows the rider to
easily rack up the miles.”
ATVs. Polaris introduced the world’s
first electronically fuel injected 4X4
ATV with the Sportsman 700 Twin EFI.
Electronic fuel injection means
smooth and responsive power at all
speeds, easier starting and better
performance in cold weather or high
altitudes, and significantly improved
fuel economy — approximately
15 percent better gas mileage.