Flying Under the Radar in Metal FX’s Polaris RZR Pro R
Words: Matthew McNulty
Photos: Logan Gallagher
We live in an over-the-top world today. Everything must be the kind of flashy, in your face content to sell you something or gain your attention. However, people still see details, and sometimes the best way to show off what you can create is with a quiet, detail-oriented focus on what really matters. The folks over at Metal FX have made a stunning case for this view with their new Polaris RZR Pro R. Built off a Launch edition Pro R- already great platform, adding the kind of quiet attention where it matters most certainly has paid dividends.
Many names are known for providing quality products in the offroad wheel world, but one family-owned manufacturer sets itself apart through experience and ambition. Metal FX is known for bringing many of the newest trends in other automotive worlds to your UTV, with stunning attention to detail. Likewise, we knew anything they came up with for an overall build would be special, and they certainly did not disappoint.
Starting off in what is firmly their wheelhouse, Metal FX has two sets of wheels and tires for this beast, alternating between a sand setup and a more general-purpose wheel and tire. For the sand setup, Metal FX has a unique Mobster wheel, with floating spokes and carbon construction normally found on supercars, in a 15×8 in the front and 15×11 in the rear. Wrapping these tires are their Sand Force SXS tires, in 32x13x15 front and 32x11x15 in the rear. This setup is more tailored to fine sand like one would find at the dunes of Glamis and provides fantastic grip on loose surfaces. Feeling all four of the paddle treaded tires digging in and moving you forwards makes climbing dunes an easy task for this RZR.
For more general purpose, Metal FX has also provided its Outlaw Wheels wrapped in a set of 37” GBC Terramaster SQ tires. Providing more grip on trails or rocks keeps this RZR ready to tackle anything the situation calls for with a simple wheel swap. While not looking quite as unique as the sand wheel and tire setup, the overall look still compliments the colors and aggressive lines of the Pro R.
Whichever wheel set Metal FX picks for the day bolts on to a suspension with a tuned set of ATS Offroad Shocks and Valves, providing maximum confidence in the corners and on throttle. This RZR really floats over terrain in a terrifyingly capable fashion. In addition to shocks, Metal FX has also equipped this RZR with a full package of HCR Racing suspension goodies, from trailing arms to a radius rod plate, further amping up the confidence and making this RZR one capable beast no matter the terrain.
As for what you’ll be enjoying from the inside of this RZR, Metal FX has really made it something special. Pro Armor custom seats cradle occupants for maximum comfort, and a Viper Machine Shifter nestled in a Fourwerx carbon fiber console. Additional carbon accents make for a truly premium feel of fit and finish; this ride sports the kind of styling and construction one would typically expect to find in a supercar. The bright red of the shifter nestled in the carbon filled cabins lends itself to an innate attraction, as if this Pro R is begging you to slap it into gear and go chasing the sunset until you just can’t keep up with it anymore. And nestled in a cockpit as comfortable and attractive as this, it’s a hard offer to refuse.
As for communications, equipped with a PCI Race Radio ensures you are always going to be in contact no matter where you take this RZR, and a Rockford Fosgate stage 6 stereo ensures you can have your own soundtrack for the journey.
Although the factory engine on this RZR Pro R is already a shocking powerhouse, Metal FX went ahead and added on an EVO Powersports exhaust, header, and tune. Boosting an already impressive stock output to a mind warping 245 horsepower without sacrificing reliability of the powerplant. And to keep that power where you want it to go, the Switch pros controller can adjust throttle response on the go. This system makes climbing rocks, even for an inexperienced rock crawler, feel like cheating.
With all this extra power on tap and added responsiveness from the suite of performance courtesy of EVO powersports, the reactions from this RZR is incredible to behold. With the great soundtrack provided by the aftermarket exhaust giving this UTV the natural soundtrack it deserves to unleash its 245 horses on whatever terrain is unlucky enough to get in its way.
Metal FX designed the exterior to stay under the radar, owing to a set of TMW Doors and a Bumper/Grill, this RZR still manages to draw attention from its fantastic finish. Complete with a TMW Cage for added safety and rigidity, and Sector 7 mirrors for toughened up visibility; it looks like it should be ripping 24/7. Lighting is provided by a gorgeous Ecstasy signal brow and headlight kit, as well as a Rigid Industries Adapt series lightbar and bumper lights, this RZR is ready to take it on day or night.
For some added lighting details, a set of accent lighting from Dune Gear and a light whip from Buggy Whips is sure to have this Polaris turning heads at night as well. It really looks like this RZR is ready for a total blackout and can comfortably serve some looks and performance any time of day.
Wrapping up the looks is a gorgeous finish in gravel gray prismatic powder color and passion red accents, this UTV has all the attention to detail one could want. While most cars stick to graphics and wild colors to draw attention to themselves, this Metal FX RZR implores passersby to slow down and pay attention to the plentiful elements, and the fit and finish within. With such a gorgeous coat of paint, it only makes sense to protect it with a full PPF from Proline wraps. Keeping this RZR looking fresh for years to come, even after taking on plenty of rocks, dust, and mud.
Despite having a subdued look, this Pro R is still a stunner. Beautiful deep red accents around the exterior and interior set this UTV off. With the aggressive lines of the TMW Bumpers and an attractive compliment of lights nestled in them like jewels in a ring, your eyes just can’t help but be drawn to it.
Once this ride made its debut to the world at the Sand sports Super Show, it was clear that all this hard work and attention to detail paid off. Over two months of time was invested into the build, and plenty of late nights going all the way down to stripping and painting the dash, but in the end this RZR turned plenty of heads. Its subdued, aggressive look, this Pro R has a stealth fighter-esque attraction to it. The initial goal having been to build something radically different from the usual build treatment for something like a Pro R, Metal FX certainly has a little monster on their hands with this UTV.
While most builds for UTV’s are focused on the kind of over-the-top perfection you may have come to expect from reading these articles, this RZR was designed and built with subdued attention to detail that feels like a refreshing take on what it means to build a UTV, without sacrificing any of the insane performance we have come to expect from what the industry can cook up. Being primarily built for tearing up the dunes and sand, this UTV can still tackle anything you can think of to throw at it and do it all in style that can only be fully appreciated up close and built with the kind of eye for detail a jeweler might have.
