2016 Vehicle of the Year: Yamaha Wolverine R-SPEC

by
posted on May 9, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
vehicle_of_year_2016.jpg

“Best in class” just about says it all. It announces to the world that you stand head and shoulders above your peers. To those companies whose products are featured herein, we say, “Welcome to the ‘best’ class.”

Vehicle of the Year: Yamaha Wolverine R-SPEC
The Wolverine R-Spec is made, writes AH contributor Lazelle Jones, “to work in settings where the world is covered by rough terrain” (“Making Tracks,” October ’15).

Its 708cc engine is married to a Yamaha Ultramatic CVT transmission, which provides continuous belt tension and reduced belt wear. On-Command four-wheel drive includes 4WD full differential-lock. When equipped with electronic power steering ($13,199), even with 4WD diff-lock selected, rough terrain is transparent.

The Wolverine R-Spec is built for expedition-length adventures with a 9.7-gallon gas tank, a cargo bed that carries 300 pounds and a tow rating of 1,500 pounds. Navigation is no problem with a low hood to maximize visibility; a chassis tapered to minimize contact with objects; full underbody skid plates swept up 2-plus inches; and 11.4 inches of ground clearance.

“Independent suspension fore and aft provides the kind of front and rear wheel travel required to take on backcountry challenges,” writes Jones. “Two inches of ‘sag’ is designed into the suspension on each wheel to enhance driving performance when maneuvering in and out of terrain.”

Editor's Note: Winning products must be tested by the editors, meet or exceed expectations on innovation, and provide hunters and shooters with value for their money. NRA Publications will present the annual Golden Bullseye Awards at an invitation-only breakfast during the 2016 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Louisville, Ky., May 20-22.

Latest

Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation Logo
Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation Logo

Oklahoma Wildlife Commission Passes Rules for Nonresident Hunters, Public Hunting Lands

New emergency rules and resolutions for public hunting lands were approved last month by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

First Look: Premium and Premium Deluxe Die Sets From Redding Reloading Equipment

Redding Reloading Equipment has expanded its Premium Die Set and Premium Deluxe Die Set product lines, including over seventy of the most popular cartridges in the industry today.

Junior Hunter Gear: Get Your Kids Into the Field

Looking for ways to get your fields out from behind the screens and into the great outdoors this summer? Check out these great pieces of outdoor kit to help spur the process.

Stealth Cam Adds On-Demand Livestream

Shortly after teasing the launch of its new trail camera functionality at the 2025 SHOT Show, Stealth Cam has announced that On Demand Live Stream is available via the Command Pro app.

#SundayGunday: Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I.

On this week's #SundayGunday, Digital Associate Editor David Herman talks with Benelli Vice President Tim Joseph about Benelli's new Super Black Eagle 3 with A.I. barrel technology.

NRA Foundation Awards $13,500 in College Scholarships

The National Rifle Association is proud to announce the Grand Scholarship winners from the 2024 Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.)—a group of exceptional students selected for their leadership, initiative, and dedication to advancing NRA programs within their communities.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.