Can-Am adds an extra pair of wheels to the Outlander ATV

If four drive wheels are better than two for off-roading, it should follow that six are better than four. Six drive wheels provide the formula behind the new Can-Am Outlander 6x6 1000 XT work and recreation vehicle. The extra axle sits below a rear bed, creating a workhorse that can haul and speed with a full half-dozen clawing wheels.

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The Outlander 6x6 was designed to offer "industry-leading power and capacity" in a "no-compromise utility ATV application." It routes output from the 82-hp Rotax V-Twin 1000 engine to all six wheels, muscling up slippery dirt hills, through sticky mud fields, over rugged rock gardens, and more. With the help of the CVT's extra low gear, the Outlander six-pack pulls 1,650 lb (750 kg) worth of tow load along for the ride.

The Oulander 6x6 looks like a typical four-wheeler up front, up until your eyes wander to the rear cargo bed supported by the extra wheels. The bed delivers 700 lb (318 kg) of rear cargo capacity to go with 100 lb (45 kg) on the front rack. The bed has a dual-level design and includes tilt-assisted dumping. A modular attachment system lets the driver transform the bed into different configurations using components like sidewalls, log bars and cargo boxes.

The Outlander 6x6 is built on an extended version of Can-Am's SST G2 frame with 11 in (28 cm) of ground clearance. It cushions its extra wheels with a double torsional trailing arm independent (TTI2) rear suspension with 9.3 in (23.6 cm) of travel. What Can-Am calls the "ATV industry's only four-wheel independent rear suspension" keeps the vehicle straight and steady by moving the wheels up and down, instead of in a butterfly motion. Owners can adjust the rear suspension by way of the quick-release sway bar and five-way preload adjustable shocks.

Up front, a double A-arm with 9 in (22.9 cm) of travel helps the 26-in Carlisle ACT radial tires greet bumps. Other drive hardware includes a tri-mode dynamic power steering system, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, and a Visco-Lok QE auto-locking front differential.

The Outlander 6x6 measures 122.8 x 48.8 x 49.5 in (312 x 124 x 126 cm), has an 82-in (208.1-cm) wheelbase and weighs 1,135 lb (515 kg) dry. It includes a standard skid plate and 3,000-lb (1,361-kg) Warn winch.

Onboard, the driver can track vehicle performance via a multifunctional digital gauge with speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, 6x6 indicator and other readings. The 6x6 has a powerful 230-watt headlight system and a 625-watt magneto for powering accessories. The digitally encoded security system provides anti-theft safety by preventing the vehicle from starting until the proper code is entered. Separate "normal" and "performance" keys control how much acceleration and speed are available to the driver.

Can-Am's parent company BRP introduced the Outlander 6x6 at its semi-annual sales meeting last September, as part of a multi-brand line-up that also included the Sea-Doo Spark. It launched the model in North America this week as part of its 2015 ATV line. The Outlander 6x6 1000 XT retails for US $15,549 in yellow and $16,049 in camo. The Outlander 6x6 is also available in 62-hp 650 XT trim for $13,649.