Can-Am Maverick X RC Turbo | Spotted

US-made and Dakar-proven off-roader uses a 172hp Rotax triple and Fox shocks. And yes, it's road legal

It’s been a good opening week for 2021 as far as awesome off-road vehicles go, with Singer’s stunning Safari-spec 911 quickly followed by MST’s gorgeous ‘new’ Mk2 Escort. These go-anywhere (in a rallying sense, admittedly) vehicles are a welcome relief from the realities of the L-word. Even more so today's Spotted: a seldom seen Can-Am Maverick, on this side of the Atlantic at least.

You have to wonder why, given our love for explosively fast off-road things, not least Ariel’s terrific Nomad (and its latest sibling). The Maverick is a clever steel-framed creation that’s modular in design, so it’s technically flexible enough to appease various requirements. Moreover, the US-made machine comes in two- or four-seat guises, with a trio of turbocharged engines offering 120hp, 172hp or 195hp flavours. According to the website, the Maverick has 300 customisation accessories.

The bare-bones off-roaders come with as much as 24-inch (or 61cm) of suspension travel and active, adjustable all-wheel drivelines, and are used in everything from farm work (the firm is established in Britain as a quad bike maker) to proper competition racers. They’re very, very capable, as proven by the Maverick’s entry into the Dakar Rally, where Can-Am won its class in 2019. Promotional videos on the brand’s website feature stars from American rallying, including Travis Pastrana, singing the Maverick's praises.

The one we’ve found for sale in Britain comes with a few desirable options like a roof and windscreen, too, so you’re not forced to wear icicles on your eyebrows with every winter outing. The car uses the 172hp 900cc Rotax Ace triple, which has enough grunt to power the 2019-spec Maverick X3 XR C Turbo to 60mph in 4.4 secs and onto an estimated 80mph top speed, despite the rolling resistance delivered by a set of chunky off-road tyres and adjustable driveline with a locking front diff. You can switch to a rear-drive mode and there’s only one gear - so it really is like an off-road go-kart.

This car has 600 miles on the clock, which is actually a decent amount of usage given that it’s likely to have been used primarily off-road and not for jaunts up the M1. We like that the seller has left mud and water splashes all over the car in the pictures, presumably to highlight the primary reason for buying – although the X RC Turbo does look to be in a remarkably clean state when it comes to wear and tear. Those adjustable coilovers are gleaming and there’s plenty of meat left on the tyres. It all looks very much ready to rock and roll at £24,500, which, by the way, makes this American two-seater almost £10k less than a similarly new Nomad. In case you needed another reason.

CAN-AM MAVERICK X RC TURBO | SPECIFICATION

Engine: 900cc, three-cylinder, turbocharged
Transmission: single-speed, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 172@7,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 124@6,500rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Recorded mileage: 600
Year registered: 2019
Price new: $24,099 (USA)
Yours for: £24,500

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Motormouth88

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