By Jon Crowley
The Can-Am Maverick X ds Turbo changed the sport UTV market by bringing a factory-installed turbocharger to the category. Introduced for the 2015 model year with 121 horsepower, the Maverick X ds combined substantial gains in power and torque with a longer wheelbase, redesigned rear suspension and large FOX shocks.
Can-Am increased output again for 2016, raising the turbocharged Rotax 1000R engine to 131 horsepower. This page covers both the original 121-hp Maverick X ds Turbo and its 131-hp successor.
2016 Maverick X ds Turbo Reaches 131 Horsepower
For 2016, Can-Am revised the turbocharged Rotax 1000R engine to produce 131 horsepower. The changes included larger fuel injectors, increased boost pressure and revised CVT calibration. Can-Am also reshaped the engine’s torque delivery to improve acceleration across the powerband.
The update arrived only one model year after the Maverick X ds Turbo established Can-Am as the first major manufacturer to offer a factory-turbocharged side-by-side.
Can-Am Adds the Maverick X rs Turbo
The 2016 lineup also gained the Maverick X rs 1000R Turbo. Based on the X ds platform, the X rs shared its 131-hp Rotax engine, 88-inch wheelbase and Torsional Trailing A-arm rear suspension with 16 inches of travel.
The X rs package added equipment aimed at aggressive dune and desert driving, including four-point harnesses, a Yoshimura exhaust, rear bumper and FOX suspension calibration developed for fast, rough terrain.
Original 2015 Can-Am Maverick X ds Turbo
BRP unveiled the original Maverick X ds Turbo in September 2014 as a 2015 model. Its turbocharged 976cc Rotax V-twin produced 121 horsepower, which Can-Am said represented approximately 10 percent more horsepower and nearly 40 percent more torque than its closest competitor at the time.
The new engine was only part of the package. Can-Am stretched the wheelbase to 88 inches—nearly four inches longer than the standard Maverick—and redesigned the rear suspension to provide 16 inches of travel. The front double-A-arm suspension offered 15 inches of travel.
We later tested the original model in the Imperial Sand Dunes. Read our complete Can-Am Maverick X ds Turbo review for firsthand impressions of its acceleration, CVT calibration, paddle-tire performance and FOX shock settings.
121-HP Turbocharged Rotax 1000R Engine
The original Maverick X ds used a turbocharged, liquid-cooled 976cc Rotax V-twin with an electronically controlled wastegate. The system automatically adjusted boost pressure according to operating conditions and was designed to maintain full performance at elevations up to 5,000 feet.
An air-to-air intercooler with an integrated fan helped control intake-air temperatures, including during slower operation when limited vehicle speed reduced natural airflow. Can-Am also fitted lower-compression forged pistons and higher-capacity fuel injectors to support the additional cylinder pressure and airflow.
High-Flow Air Filtration
A large Donaldson airbox was positioned near the engine to supply the turbocharger with clean air. The intake system also incorporated a revised plenum designed to distribute compressed air efficiently to the engine.
Turbo-Specific CVT
Can-Am reworked the continuously variable transmission to handle the turbo engine’s additional power and torque. The system included a redesigned driven pulley, an updated Quick Response System and revisions to the drive pulley.
The CVT cooling system also received larger and more efficient air inlets, outlets and impellers. According to Can-Am, these changes increased cool-air circulation through the clutch housing by 68 percent.
Electronic Throttle Control
The Maverick X ds Turbo used Can-Am’s Intelligent Throttle Control system and a 54mm Bosch throttle body. The electronic throttle system was designed to filter unintended pedal movement when the driver’s foot bounced over rough terrain. Drivers could select Progressive or Sport throttle response.
FOX 2.5 PODIUM RC2 Shocks
Can-Am equipped the Maverick X ds Turbo with FOX 2.5 PODIUM RC2 shocks featuring dual-speed compression, rebound and spring-preload adjustments. The large shock bodies increased damping capacity and helped control operating temperatures during aggressive driving.
The rear shocks also incorporated position-sensitive bottom-out control, dual-rate springs and large 7/8-inch shafts. This gave owners considerable adjustment range for dunes, desert terrain, technical trails and different tire combinations.
Redesigned TTA Rear Suspension
The compact Torsional Trailing A-arm rear suspension controlled wheel movement while minimizing bump steer and tire scrub. Can-Am paired it with 16 inches of rear-wheel travel to improve traction and stability through whoops and rough terrain.
Up front, redesigned double A-arms provided 15 inches of suspension travel. The combination of increased travel and an 88-inch wheelbase made the X ds more stable at speed than the shorter original Maverick while retaining a relatively tight turning radius.
Can-Am Maverick X ds Turbo Specifications
- Engine: 976cc turbocharged Rotax V-twin
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled engine with air-to-air intercooler
- Valvetrain: SOHC, eight valves
- 2015 horsepower: 121 hp
- 2016 horsepower: 131 hp
- Front suspension travel: 15 inches
- Rear suspension travel: 16 inches
- Shocks: FOX 2.5 PODIUM RC2
- Ground clearance: 13 inches
- Wheelbase: 88 inches
- Overall length: 117.3 inches
- Overall width: 64 inches
- Overall height: 74.2 inches
A Turning Point for Factory Turbo UTVs
The Maverick X ds Turbo was an important step in sport UTV development. Before its arrival, enthusiasts seeking turbocharged power generally relied on aftermarket systems that required additional fuel, clutch and engine tuning.
Can-Am delivered comparable performance as a fully integrated production package with factory engine management, intercooling, CVT calibration and warranty coverage. Its 2016 increase to 131 horsepower also demonstrated how quickly factory turbo development would advance after the initial 121-hp model reached the market.
For driving impressions and the suspension settings we developed during two days in Glamis, see our Maverick X ds Turbo dune review. You can also explore more historic and current models on our Can-Am UTV page.
