Kawasaki wants to dominate UTV with supercharged Teryx H2

Kawasaki’s Teryx H2 side-by-side UTV line-up, available only in the United States, gets three all-new models including two Deluxe editions, and they all use the H2 superbike’s supercharged engine.

When it comes to supercharged engines, no one, especially in the motorcycle segment, does it quite like Kawasaki. Its H2 models have long been the icing on the proverbial cake when it comes to this, with its new Hydrogen model having also been given the supercharger treatment.

The Teryx H2 is not the only non-motorcycle to benefit from Kawasaki’s supercharged engine recently, as the Japanese manufacturer used those foundations to supply hybrid aircraft company VoltAero, with the same powertrain that’s found in the H2 SX model.

Back to its new side-by-side vehicle, Kawasaki provided various teasers of a new four-wheeled UTV earlier this year, which eventually proved to be the Teryx. And thanks to its impressive power numbers, it produces more bhp than the Polaris RZR Pro R and Can-AM’s Maverick R.

Each machine has been developed with a view to ripping up sand dunes and the desert, and to do that, it gets the company’s liquid-cooled, 999cc inline-four supercharged engine, which delivers 250bhp and 146.2 Ib ft of torque as part of revisions made to fit the off-roader.

The new Teryx line-up comes in the shape of two four-seaters, which includes the standard H2 model and the H2 Deluxe. The brand’s lone five-seater is the Teryx5 Deluxe vehicle.

Speaking about its idea behind using the H2’s supercharged engine, Kawasaki said: “Unlike a turbocharger that relies on exhaust gases, the supercharger of the Teryx4/5 H2 is mechanically driven by the engine, eliminating turbo lag and offering instant throttle response. Acceleration builds smoothly and linearly from idle to the engine’s peak power at 9,000 rpm, enhancing drivability and control.”

The engine inside the Teryx is housed in cast aluminium and is mounted behind the cylinder bank. It’s driven by a planetary gear train connected to the crankshaft via an idler gear and chain.

The engine maxes out at 9,500 rpm, while the impeller shaft spins at almost 130,000 rpm. The impeller itself is a mirrored version of the one used on the Ninja H2 SX, but is customised to spin in the opposite direction.

A two-stage machining process is used to shape the cylinder head’s intake port for improved airflow. The engine is also equipped with large 29mm intake valves made of heat resistant steel and 24mm exhaust valves crafted from Inconel. This means it has been engineered to withstand extreme temperatures generated by a supercharged engine’s high exhaust gases.

All three models use CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), which Kawasaki says was key to the Teryx models being able to deliver its linear power.

Mounted on the steering column behind the steering wheel is the new 7-inch full-colour TFT display, which features multiple modes. It also includes a camera mode that works with accessory front and rear cameras.

When using that mode with the accessory cameras installed, the screen will automatically switch to its rear view setup when the off-roader is shifted into reverse. 

Mounted to the Teryx4 H2 Deluxe and Teryx5 H2 Deluxe models, drivers can also monitor KECS (Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension) through a specific mode. Two selectable display settings allow drivers to select how they want their information to be presented. The screen’s background can also be set to black or white to suit driver preference.

Additionally, a 10-inch Garmin Tread off-road navigation system comes standard on the Teryx4 H2 Deluxe and Teryx5 H2 Deluxe. It includes radio and audio system compatibility for group rides.

Pricing for the three new models starts at $37,199 (around £27,600) for the Teryx4, while the Teryx4 Deluxe comes in at $43,199 (£32,050). Slightly more expensive is the Teryx5 Deluxe which comprises an MSRP of $43,699 (£32,430).

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