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

W H2026 08 F Cape Buffalo 9R0A7308
W H2026 08 F Cape Buffalo 9R0A7308

Hunting Cape Buffalo: Don’t Just Stand There—Keep Shooting

A 49-year veteran of hunting the Cape buffalo is here to say encounters with the great beast aren’t always as you imagine.

Reviewed: Plano GoNow Boxes

Need something waterproof to store your hunting or shooting gear on the way to camp or the range? Look no further. Plano’s GoNow boxes hit the mark!

Standout New Hunting Guns of 2026

This year’s standout hunting firearms reveal an industry focused on refining proven ideas. Manufacturers are increasingly embracing features once reserved for premium models and including extras that a few years ago were considered aftermarket additions. Whether you’re chasing game close to home or venturing deep into the backcountry, today’s new hunting guns arrive more capable than ever before.

Massive Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities

The Department of the Interior recently announced the largest expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service is also making more than 1,000 modifications to existing regulatory provisions, reducing complexity and making it easier for hunters and anglers to understand and comply with applicable rules. 

Behind the Bullet: The .25 WSSM

Quarterbores are back, so let's take a look at a fan favorite released just after the turn of the millennium: the .25 WSSM.

Henry Repeating Arms Introduces the Founding Fathers Collection

Henry Repeating Arms has introduced the Founding Fathers Collection, a series of seven Tribute Edition rifles honoring the men who shaped the American republic: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.