The American manufacturer has announced a new and improved lineup of ATVs and has several surprises in store for us, such as the new Sportsman XP 550 EFI. You'll remember that the Sportsman 500, launched in 1996, was an immediate success thanks to a bunch of avant-garde features and a high-performance engine, one of the most powerful at the time. The revolutionary ATV has constantly evolved since then, and its engine is still Polaris's most popular today.

The new 2009 Sportsman XP 550 EFI is a completely redesigned machine.

Numerous innovations
After the introduction of the very first ATV with four-wheel independent suspension in 1996, the industry as a whole had no choice but to emulate the innovative manufacturer. Since then, the engineers have never ceased to bring creative modifications to their models year after year: there was the first ATV with a diesel engine in 1999, the first ATV with an electronic-fuel-injection engine in 2004, the first 800-cc ATV in 2005 and, last but definitely not least, the first two-seater ATV with seat-cum-cargo box.

After launching six new models in 2006, Polaris proceeded to do the same the following year, improving its two-seaters and introducing new kiddy models. Polaris also launched the Ranger in 2007, the raciest and fastest Side X Side in the industry. With all these innovations, it was only natural for Polaris to stay the course and launch a whole new lineup of sport utility ATVs. The new Sportsman XP 550 and XP 850 will hit Polaris dealerships shortly, to the delight of adventure lovers everywhere.

Ready for a new class
We got to try out the new 2009 Sportsman XP 550 EFI, a completely updated machine designed to take the new niche by storm, that of the 550-cc ATVs. Even though our tester was a preproduction model, I can assure you that it amazed us on several fronts. The number of original features is mind-boggling: all-new longitudinal engine, new CVT transmission, new chassis with dual A-arm suspension on all four wheels, new 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels and new moulded plastic cargo rack.

This ATV will unquestionably be the ideal companion at work and on those long weekend treks.