The Polaris RANGER MVRS800 was an ultra-light tactical vehicle developed by Polaris Defense for military transportation, cargo and support missions. Polaris delivered the military RANGER-based vehicle to the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in 2009.
Based on the proven Polaris RANGER utility platform, the MVRS800 combined off-road mobility with equipment specifically intended for demanding military environments. Its compact dimensions allowed it to carry personnel and equipment into locations that could be difficult to reach with larger tactical vehicles.
JP8-Powered Polaris Military UTV
The MVRS800 was powered by a 760cc twin-cylinder Patriot engine producing a claimed 40 horsepower. The engine could operate on JP8, the standard turbine fuel widely used by the U.S. military, simplifying fuel logistics in the field.
Polaris had previously introduced its JP8-compatible engine in the military MV800 ATV. Installing it in the RANGER-based MVRS800 created a larger platform with substantially more passenger, cargo and towing capability.
Equipment Designed for Military Operations
Polaris equipped the MVRS800 with a protective steel structure, Goodyear Mud Runner run-flat tires and a sealed drivetrain. The vehicle was rated to ford water up to 30 inches deep.
Mission-oriented equipment included a front cargo rack, multiple tie-down points, weapons storage and a rear cargo box with folding sides. The rear platform could also be adapted for equipment such as litter racks or additional seating.
The MVRS800 had a rated payload capacity of 1,600 pounds, a 1,000-pound cargo-box capacity and a 1,750-pound towing capacity. Its relatively narrow 60-inch width helped retain the trail mobility associated with the civilian RANGER platform.
MVRS800 and MVRS700
Polaris also offered a gasoline-powered version known as the MVRS700. Both vehicles drew upon the civilian RANGER architecture, giving Polaris Defense a cost-effective tactical platform supported by established utility-vehicle engineering.
The MVRS series was part of Polaris Defense’s growing family of military off-road vehicles. Later machines, including the Polaris MRZR 4 and military Polaris RZR SW, shifted toward lighter sport-UTV-based platforms designed for rapid deployment.
Polaris RANGER MVRS800 Specifications
| Engine displacement | 760cc |
|---|---|
| Claimed output | 40 horsepower |
| Engine configuration | Polaris twin-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Fuel system | Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) |
| Fuel compatibility | JP8 |
| Top speed | 42 mph |
| Fuel capacity | 13 gallons |
| Oil capacity | 2 quarts |
| Coolant capacity | 4.25 quarts |
| Transmission | Automatic Polaris Variable Transmission |
| Gear ranges | Dual-range forward and reverse |
| Drive system | Switch-engaged, on-demand four-wheel drive |
| Front suspension | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | Progressive-rate independent rear suspension |
| Brakes | Four-wheel hydraulic discs with stainless-steel lines |
| Front tires | 25×8-12 Goodyear Mud Runner run-flat |
| Rear tires | 25×11-12 Goodyear Mud Runner run-flat |
| Wheelbase | 76 inches |
| Turning radius | 148 inches, measured at the inside tire |
| Ground clearance | 10 inches |
| Dimensions | 110 inches long × 60 inches wide × 75 inches high |
| Dry weight | 1,667 pounds |
| Front-rack capacity | 100 pounds |
| Cargo-box dimensions | 33 × 55 × 10 inches |
| Cargo-box capacity | 1,000 pounds |
| Payload capacity | 1,600 pounds |
| Towing capacity | 1,750 pounds |
| Water-fording depth | Up to 30 inches |
| Alternator | 500 watts |
| Battery | 12-volt, 18-Ah |
| Accessory outlets | Three 12-volt outlets |
| Color | Desert Tan |
Specifications reflect information released for the Polaris MVRS800 when it was introduced and are preserved here for historical reference.
