Polaris Ace 570 – More power and fun

The whole Ace concept caught us a little off guard when Polaris released the first 320cc version earlier this year. Basically, the machine is a Polaris Sportsman transformed into a steering-wheel-equipped sit-in machine, so it’s not necessarily a single-seat RZR. But, we think that concept could be coming in the near future. Until then, Polaris is expanding its Ace lineup with a new model equipped with the same engine found in the really cool RZR 570, the Ranger 570 and the Sportsman 570.

The chassis is borrowed from the 320 version and shares all the same dimensions. Overall, the Ace is 90 inches long and 48 inches wide, so it can easily fit in the back of a pick-up truck and, more important, on any 50-inch-wide trail. Up front it is using McPherson strut shocks with 8.2 inches of travel. The rear has dual A-arms moving 9.5 inches. What gives it a plusher ride than sitting down on an ATV is its long 61.5-inch wheelbase. For comparison, the Sportsman 570 handlebar-equipped ATV has a 50.5-inch wheelbase. Another big difference is that it has a much lower seat height than a typical ATV by more than half a foot.

Most of the rest of the numbers again mirror that of the Sportsman ATV, such as 10.25-inch ground clearance, 25-inch tires and a 5-gallon gas tank. The Ace does weigh nearly 200 pounds more than its handlebar-equipped cousin, tipping the scales at 854 pounds. Incredibly, however, Polaris claims it can handle a 575-pound payload, and the tow hitch is rated at 1500 pounds, which can make it a handy little workhorse. Up front under the cargo rack, a small cargo box can also store and protect smaller items you might want to take along. The cockpit of any Ace is a lot different than a RZR. It’s easiest to get in from the left side, but you can shimmy past the shift lever and enter from the right if needed. Both sides close you in like a nice triangle-shaped nest. However, we like the accessory doors Polaris offers even better. The Ace has about the same legroom as a RZR, if not a little more. It does have more shoulder and hip room. The seat is adjustable for different-sized riders, and the steering wheel tilts, too, adding to the list of options. The steering wheel sits very upright like a car. There is no glovebox, but there is a cup holder. On the dash of this Ace, an analog instrument cluster is easy to read and is the only item other than the key, light switch and 4WD switch.

TEST DRIVE
You start the Ace with a keyed ignition, and thanks to an EFI system, warm-up time is almost instant. Engine noise is quiet, but when you stab the throttle, you can hear a fun growl out of the 45-horsepower engine. The engine revs up and down quickly, and there is zero hesitation in the motor. However, it’s after you shift the transmission into high when the fun begins. Take-off is instant and exciting. No, it’s not RZR XP 1000-fast, but you do feel as quick in this as you do in the RZR 570 or even the older 800. Being closer to the ground might accentuate the feeling. But regardless, it’s fun. It feels just about as quick in two-wheel drive as it does in four. Traction is abundant, and you don’t feel the machine fishtailing whatsoever. In fact, our testers preferred driving the Ace in two-wheel drive, unless we needed the traction of all-wheel drive to get over an obstacle. For comparison, we think you can drive faster in RZRs using four-wheel drive. When driving the Ace in rough terrain in 4WD, feedback through the steering wheel is apparent, just like it is on most non-EPS-equipped ATVs. Steering lock to lock requires a bit of hand movement, but it’s not bad, and we agree that having a little slower steering is perfect for the entry-level driver these machines are aimed at. Electronic power steering can be added to this machine, but it is a $1300 investment.

Being about a foot longer than a typical ATV, the Ace is smooth over the small bumps. We wouldn’t say it’s plush, but it is forgiving. The only thing it doesn’t do well is drive over cross-grain ruts. If the four wheels hit an obstacle head-on, the McPherson struts up front and dual A-arms in back help it move along. The Ace has a similar ride as a 4×4 ATV. Only the rear shocks are preload-adjustable, but overall the suspension settings are neutral and feel good almost everywhere for casual trail riding.

CONCLUSIONS
The Ace is a great machine for a first-time rider who doesn’t want to straddle a traditional ATV. Rental and tour outfits will surely be buying the Ace 570 and adding them to their fleet. We would be more than happy to plunk down a couple hundred dollars on a vacation to explore a jungle or tropical island in any-sized Ace. As for owning one, if a youth model was offered, we would buy one in a minute. As for the adult customer, if you have something against a traditional ATV and this will get you out on the trails, we say go for it.

POLARIS ACE 570
Engine….567cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC
single cylinder
Fuel system…………………………………..EFI
Fuel capacity………………………5.25 gal.
Starting system……………………..Electric
Final drive.Automatic PVT P/R/N/L/H;
Shaft
Suspension/wheel travel:
Front…………….MacPherson Strut/8.2”
Rear……………….Dual A-Arm IRS/9.5”
Tires:
Front…………………………………….25×8-12
Rear…………………………………..25×10-12
Brakes:
Front………………………..Dual hydraulic
Rear………………………..Dual hydraulic
Wheelbase…………………………………61.5”
Length/width/height………..90”/48”/68”
Ground clearance……………………10.25”
Total rack capacity………………….120 lb
Towing capacity…………………….1500 lb
Curb weight…………………………….854 lb
Colors.Voodoo Blue, White Lightning
MSRP………………………………………..$8499