Imagine you own a powersports company, and you have one of the coolest engines on the market, but you only use it in one vehicle. That's not just silly; it's borderline mean to your demographic—BRP, please take some notes and stick that 325-hp rotax engine in something else.
Well, it looks like Kawasaki isn't a silly, mean brand if this teaser is to be believed. When I say "believed", I mean if my interpretation of the teaser is correct. AKA, this is what I want, please give it to me.
The teaser is just 15 seconds long and doesn't show much, but we get just enough to form a theory. Firstly, we see a trellis frame UTV, so we know it's a UTV teaser. Secondly, we see that this is called "Project H2", and if you know Kawasaki's range, you'll know the H2 is its hypersport motorcycle that's powered by a 998cc 4-cylinder supercharged engine.
Lastly, we hear the unmistakable sound of a blow-off valve, leaving no doubt that this project will revolve around the H2's glorious engine.
I think a H2-powered UTV is a pretty fair take based on this info. But we're still not sure.
Again, in theory, that'd mean this UTV could pump out 239.6 hp at 11,500 RPM and 104.9 lb-ft of torque at 11,000 RPM. That's probably more than double the hp output of the brand's flagship sports UTV, the Teryx KRX 1000.
If this UTV produces anywhere near the standard H2's output, it'll put it in direct competition with Polaris's RZR Pro R, which makes 225 hp, and Can-Am's Maverick R, which makes 240 hp. These are truly ridiculous figures for side-by-sides, but necessary to tackle the most difficult off-road races in the world, like the Baja 1000 and Dakar.
Until now, Polaris and Can-Am have been the only true contestants in the rally-raid UTV classes, so adding a legitimate threat to the mix from Kawasaki would be a welcome treat.
When Kawasaki launched the supercharged Ninja H2 in 2013, it established itself as having a bonkers motorcycle, with unmatched lunacy, particularly from any of the other Japanese big three. If my theory is correct, and we're getting a supercharged H2-powered UTV from Kawasaki, it'll once again establish itself as the headbanger of the Japanese big four, but this time, in the side-by-side world.
Kawasaki made a dedicated Matrix-style page where you can sign up to "Apply for future clearance" and learn more about Project H2 when more information is available. Does it come with a Green Pill?
