At the 2026 Sand Sports Super Show, I got Robby Gordon in front of the camera to walk us through three purpose-built Speed UTV packages for 2027. The new Rock, Dune and Production Race editions are equipped for specific types of off-road use rather than leaving buyers to replace major components after purchasing the vehicle.
All three packages build on Speed UTV’s 1000cc turbo platform, rated at 225 horsepower on gasoline and as much as 300 horsepower on E85. According to Gordon, it remains the only production UTV with an EPA- and CARB-compliant flex-fuel system.
Another major change applies across the lineup: every 2027 Speed UTV will come standard with KWI primary and secondary clutches.
KWI Clutches Standard for 2027
Speed previously offered its KWI-developed clutch system as an upgrade. For 2027, Gordon says the production KWI primary and secondary clutches become standard equipment on every Speed UTV.
KWI CVT
The system was designed and tested with KWI Clutching and is manufactured by Speed UTV. It combines billet clutches with redesigned air guides, ducting and clutch covers for improved belt grip, lower belt temperatures and more consistent power delivery.
Speed UTV Hot Weather Package
Speed UTV Hot Weather Package
The Rock, Race and Dune vehicles Gordon showed were equipped with the Speed UTV Hot Weather Package.
The package replaces the previous water-to-air intercooler arrangement with a large air-to-air intercooler and adds a 30% larger radiator. It was developed to reduce heat soak and maintain performance during extended operation in high ambient temperatures. The Race Edition also uses a dedicated transmission cooler in place of the former front oil cooler.
2027 Speed UTV Rock Edition
2027 Speed UTV Rock Edition
The 2027 Speed UTV Rock Edition is configured for technical trails, rock crawling and mountain terrain. Its most consequential change is a gearbox with all three gears 30% lower than the standard ratios.
The lower gearing should improve low-speed control, reduce clutch load while negotiating ledges and help compensate for the 35-inch tires.
Rock Edition Equipment
- Gearbox with all three ratios reduced by 30%
- 35-inch OBOR rock tires
- Hot Weather Package
- 1/2-inch UHMW skid plate
- Front bumper
- 6,000-pound winch
- Spare tire
- CO₂ jack
- Electric-over-hydraulic power steering
Gordon described it as a complete package for customers who want to head directly into rocky or mountainous terrain without first installing the gearing, protection and recovery equipment normally associated with a dedicated crawler build.
2027 Speed UTV Dune Edition
2027 Speed UTV Dune Edition
The Dune Edition takes the opposite approach. Instead of adding armor and recovery equipment, Speed removes unnecessary weight and installs sand-specific equipment at the factory.
Speed deletes the cargo bed, removing approximately 80 pounds and opening the rear of the vehicle for easier access. Factory sand tires also mean buyers are not paying for an all-terrain tire set they do not intend to use.
Dune Edition Equipment
- Factory sand tires
- Hot Weather Package
- KWI primary and secondary clutches
- Cargo-bed delete, saving approximately 80 pounds
- Two lighted whips
Gordon said the Dune package will be offered in Bandit, El Diablo and El Jefe configurations. The combination of reduced weight, sand tires, improved cooling and the KWI clutch system makes it a focused factory package for dune use.
2027 Speed UTV Production Race Package
2027 Speed UTV Production Race Package
The Production Race UTV Package goes considerably further. It is intended to provide the fundamental vehicle, safety and communications equipment needed for desert and rock-racing competition.
Speed pairs the Race Edition with a gearbox using 30% taller ratios and 35-inch Kevlar tires. While the Rock Edition prioritizes low-speed control, the Race Edition gearing is intended for sustained competition speeds.
The Race Edition also receives an 18-gallon Pyrotect fuel cell and a transmission-cooler package. Door bars incorporate an X-brace, while an additional welded connector provides a mounting provision for a shoulder bar. Carbon-fiber doors provide clearance for the additional cage structure.
18-gallon Pyrotect fuel cell
Production Race Package Equipment
- Gearbox with 30% taller ratios
- 35-inch Kevlar tires
- Hot Weather Package
- KWI primary and secondary clutches
- 18-gallon Pyrotect fuel cell
- Transmission cooler
- Door bars with an X-brace and shoulder-bar provision
- Carbon-fiber doors
- 1.5-inch billet tie rods made from 7075 aluminum
- Front light bars and rear chase lights
- Radio and intercom
Gordon said the primary competition-specific item left for the buyer to choose is the GPS package. This lets racers select the navigation system that fits their series and personal preference.
Transmission cooler
Speed positions the package for SCORE, NORRA, Unlimited Off-Road Racing, Best In The Desert and King of the Hammers competition. Final preparation and eligibility will still depend on the current technical and safety rules for the selected organization and class.
Race-Inspired Speed UTV Construction
The special editions are based on a platform that already incorporates more competition-oriented hardware than a conventional recreational side-by-side. Speed UTV specifies a 4130 chromoly chassis and suspension components along with a 0.095-inch-wall 4130 chromoly roll cage.
The suspension uses 3.25-inch-OD shocks with internal hydraulic bump stops and hydraulic droop stops. Speed UTV describes them as the largest shocks installed on a production UTV. The platform also includes heavy-duty drivetrain components and an alternator-based electrical system designed to support accessories.
Carbon seats, five-point harnesses, safety window nets, front V-bars, a race-style steering wheel and a driver-focused dash are also part of Speed UTV’s factory approach. Speed offers more than 250 accessories that can be configured and financed with the vehicle.
Three Factory Packages for Three Types of Terrain
These are more than appearance editions. The Rock Edition combines substantially lower gearing with protection, recovery equipment and 35-inch rock tires. The Dune Edition removes weight and installs sand-specific equipment. The Production Race Package combines taller gearing, additional chassis protection, a fuel cell, communications and competition-focused hardware.
Speed UTV’s website had not yet been updated with complete 2027 package specifications when this article was prepared. The information here was provided directly by Robby Gordon during our Sand Sports Super Show walkaround and in supporting specifications supplied to UTVGuide.net.
Pricing and final availability were not announced during our interview. We will update this article when Speed UTV releases complete ordering information.
