Ken Block and the Hoonigan team customized two 131-horsepower Can-Am Maverick Turbo side-by-sides for two very different missions. One became a two-seat desert performance machine, while the other was transformed into a four-seat family adventure rig and mountain bike hauler.
Best known for his Gymkhana videos, rally career and distinctive Hoonigan builds, Ken Block brought the same performance-focused approach to a pair of Can-Am Maverick side-by-sides. Rather than building two identical machines, Block and his team gave each Maverick a separate purpose.
The two-seat Can-Am Maverick X rs 1000R Turbo was prepared as a desert-conquering recreational racer. The four-seat Maverick MAX X rs 1000R Turbo retained more of its factory configuration and became a practical family getaway vehicle capable of carrying mountain bikes.
Two Can-Am Mavericks With Different Missions
Both builds started with Can-Am’s factory-turbocharged Maverick platform. For 2016, the Rotax 1000R Turbo engine produced a claimed 131 horsepower, giving Block the performance he wanted without requiring extensive aftermarket engine modifications.
That factory power was one of the Maverick’s biggest attractions for Block. It allowed the Hoonigan team to concentrate on suspension, occupant protection, seating, lighting, wheels and other modifications suited to how each vehicle would be used.
“I’m super stoked on how these two builds turned out. Can-Am has such an amazing platform from which to build with these things. The fact that they come turbo from the factory is a huge plus to me, since it means I don’t have to mess around with a ton of aftermarket engine stuff to have the speed and power that I want right out of the box. My team did a great job upgrading these though.”
— Ken Block
Readers interested in the original vehicle can learn more about the 131-horsepower Can-Am Maverick Turbo platform that helped establish factory turbocharging in the performance side-by-side market.
Ken Block’s Two-Seat Maverick X rs Turbo
The two-seat Maverick X rs Turbo was the more aggressively modified of the two builds. Its purpose was clear: create a fast recreational desert machine while retaining the powertrain and fundamental character of the production Maverick.
Lonestar Racing supplied a custom cage, long-travel suspension and brush guard. DragonFire Racing doors and a racing steering wheel further changed the cockpit, while custom Beard seats improved support and gave the vehicle a personalized Ken Block appearance.
Rigid Industries lighting, fifteen52 forged wheels and Toyo tires completed the build’s functional and visual transformation.
Two-Seat Maverick X rs Turbo Upgrades
- Lonestar Racing custom roll cage
- Lonestar Racing long-travel suspension kit
- Lonestar Racing brush guard
- DragonFire Racing doors
- DragonFire Racing race steering wheel
- Can-Am wide fender flares
- Custom Ken Block seats by Beard
- Rigid Industries R46 lighting
- fifteen52 forged wheels
- Toyo tires
Two-Seat Maverick Build Gallery
Ken Block’s Maverick MAX Family Adventure Build
The Maverick MAX took a more practical direction. Instead of turning it into another dedicated desert performance build, the Hoonigan team worked with the MAX model’s four-seat layout to create a vehicle that could carry the family and support Block’s other outdoor interests.
A Can-Am roof, doors and windscreen added protection for the occupants. Custom Beard seats gave the interior a more personalized appearance, while a North Shore bike rack allowed the Maverick MAX to transport mountain bikes.
The MAX also received a Lonestar Racing brush guard, Rigid Industries lighting, fifteen52 forged wheels and Toyo tires. The result retained much of the production Maverick MAX platform while adding the equipment needed for family trips and bike adventures.
Maverick MAX X rs Turbo Upgrades
- Can-Am Sport Roof
- Can-Am doors
- Can-Am windscreen
- Can-Am wide fender flares
- Custom Ken Block seats by Beard
- Custom North Shore mountain bike rack
- Rigid Industries R46 lighting
- fifteen52 forged wheels
- Toyo tires
- Lonestar Racing brush guard
Maverick MAX Build Gallery
From Hoonigan Headquarters to the Utah Desert
The Hoonigan Racing Division initially revealed the completed vehicles through beauty shots taken at its headquarters in Park City, Utah. The next phase moved the Mavericks into the high desert, where the team could demonstrate their performance and versatility away from the shop.
“My favorite thing about these Can-Am Off-Road Maverick X rs Turbo UTVs is that they’re pretty much a cross between two of my favorite vehicles: a dirt bike and a rally car.”
— Ken Block
That comparison captured what made early performance side-by-sides so appealing. They combined the open-air experience and terrain capability of an off-road motorcycle with the controls, seating position and stability of a small rally-inspired vehicle.
A Pair of Purpose-Built Maverick Turbos
These two builds showed the versatility of the original Can-Am Maverick Turbo platform. The heavily modified two-seater emphasized suspension performance and desert driving, while the four-seat MAX offered a more practical combination of passenger space, weather protection and recreational cargo capacity.
Although they shared the same Hoonigan-influenced styling and factory turbo power, each vehicle was designed around a distinctly different kind of off-road experience. Together, they formed one of the most recognizable pairs of custom Can-Am Mavericks from the era.
Explore more custom machines in the UTV of the Month Archive
