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SSV Works Keyed In the Perfect Polaris RZR Pro R 4 Ultimate
Words: Matthew McNulty
Photos: Logan Gallagher
Attention to detail is one of my favorite traits. The ability to tie things together and focus one’s attention on the desired areas, and even better yet to do so in a way that isn’t overly brash is a true gift. This gift is often brilliantly displayed in the efforts taken to customize vehicles, so when we got the chance to check out what exactly the industry staples and SXS enthusiasts from SSV Works had cooked up for their own Polaris RZR Pro R 4 Ultimate, it was an offer we couldn’t refuse.
Immediately apparent at first glance, we noticed that the lines of this Pro R have been shaped and honed for a more aggressive look thanks to the SDR Pro R 4 Fastback Shorty Cage. While also providing some increased safety to boot, the real star of this change certainly comes from the slimmed-down outline. The rest of the standout changes in this sculpting are also owing to parts from SDR, such as the front grille and bumper which serve to complete the look. In the quest for added aggression to match, a set of Assault design mirrors keep the vast swaths of terrain this RZR is sure to conquer clearly in focus- in your rearview.
Complementing the fine-tuning of the lines is a full-body wrap from Wolf Designs, sporting the SSV Works logo. The color combination of white, red, and hints of gray and black that adorn this Pro R is certainly eye-catching and really ties together the “diet” that its silhouette has undergone. And it grabs your attention when it turns that orange Utah sandstone into a blur in its rearview.
This toning and honing to the already attractive Pro R body has provided riders with stellar results. These overall slimmed-down lines do a great deal for the appearance, let alone the variety of other reasons one might want a lower roof line. Especially paired with that set of mirrors which fit like earrings on both sides of the cage and just make everything pop that little extra.
Bolted onto this aggressive cage is a whole assortment of Baja Designs lighting. With both an A-pillar kit and a 40” light bar on the roof, there is no shortage of illumination. Polaris RZR Pro R 4 Ultimate offers a wide arc of lighting in front, especially with such a high output as an assortment of these Baja Designs lights cast, which is a fantastic way to increase the “utility” aspect of your SXS. These sources of light, especially combined with all the ambient light that comes from the assortment of speakers and other bits of kit inside the cabin, let this Pro R shine through even on the blackest of nights.
Backing up the already impressive out-of-the-box performance that comes with a Pro R, SSV Works has made sure to add plenty of goodies from Shock Therapy. These additions come in the form of tie rods, a front spring retainer, and a front lower shock fork. Further complimenting and adding to these upgrades are a set of Sandcraft Motorsports lower ball joints. This set of ball joints is a lifesaver since it improves the overall durability of the points that are susceptible to failure under hard driving conditions ensuring the RZR is ready to go the distance.
As for what keeps that vicious powerplant that the Pro R is home to tame, a set of Valor Offroad Alpha tires claw into the earth. These are mounted on a set of Valor V06 Bead lock wheels, and in turn, further enhance this already frighteningly capable machine. This pairing fits right in with the rest of this RZR, as well as the attention to detail that has gone into enhancing key performance elements while keeping the focus on the star of the show that is yet to come.
With a relatively OEM interior, at least as far as what one might typically expect from a SXS that’s this flashy, a Viper Machine shifter is a solid handhold and adds a flair of red to the color scheme. As someone who typically finds OEM shifters leaving much to be desired in both their aesthetics and feel, this is a more than welcome addition. Oh, and the red knob sitting atop a milled handle will always have an innate cool factor.
While this may seem like a sparse list for an interior, it just lets one get fully sucked into what sits directly above that red gear knob and of course, the already mind-numbing performance that comes with a 200-horsepower SXS. It also demonstrates that you don’t need to go all out on interior modifications to have something feel right at home. In fact, this rather “spartan” approach leads to drawing your focus to the center point of the whole vehicle.
The highlight of this RZR is undoubtedly the pairing of SSV works and Switch works products in the dash. With a SWITCH Works Alpha 12 smart switcher providing the control for the SSV Works Plug and Play system for Polaris Ride Command, there’s a lot of dedication to keeping things running on the electrical side. With a 10”, 1000-watt subwoofer securely mounted under the dash and a litany of speaker pods, this setup is ample enough for any trail-bound audiophile.
Having all this audible power at your disposal quickly assuages any concerns you might have still had over what exactly made this Pro R special. With a fit and finish that’s only matched by the quality of the speakers themselves; this Ride Command ready system delivers. Perhaps even more importantly, the unit itself is well sealed against the elements, ensuring this audio can go anywhere this RZR can.
With this focused approach to placing your focus firmly on the SSV works and Switch works products such as all the electrical goodies as well as the means to control them, it’s hard to deny their capability- let alone their cool factor. Pressing tangible buttons offers a real advantage over a more typical touchscreen, and an even more user-friendly experience awaits when it comes to adding that personal touch.
If all that personal flair isn’t enough, even more benefits come with that controller as well. The ability to quickly access the controls for every bit of electrical kit on this RZR in a one-stop shop panel (that also just looks fantastic) has ample benefits. This is all backed up with solid-state outputs, eliminating the fuses or relays that other switches often rely upon as well. And, of course, extensive waterproofing for the whole setup only makes sense when this evolutionary switch panel is bolted into a rocket ship like this Pro R.
As far as performance goes, this build is typical of what one can expect out of a Pro R. Having that insane horsepower figure on tap paired with. Not only that, Some minor suspension upgrades are more than enough to have some fun on the trail. It goes without saying that virtually anything based on something as capable as a Pro R will still be a terrifyingly capable vehicle. The feeling here is that this is still one incredibly fast and capable SXS that only needs minor tweaking to be that much more special.
Another benefit of the focus on electrical upgrades to this Pro R is that it truly lets the already excellent OEM aspects of the top-end RZR shine. This attention to detail of what really matters in terms of reliability, and performance alongside the desire to showcase a badass switch system and speakers comes into its own. Allowing the OEM vehicle to still “speak for itself” while subtly changing a few body lines and creature comfort elements inside the vehicle as well also makes for a complete package of a build. If there were ever something that embodied killer attention to detail, it would be the restraint shown with the Polaris RZR Pro R 4 Ultimate, to keep the focus squarely on that switch system.
With minimal need to chase horsepower numbers or add significant suspension beyond the typical upgrades, there’s plenty of room to add things like the massive subwoofer and an array of speakers surrounding the cabin. Pair that with some tweaks to the overall body lines and a lower roofline and cover it all in an attractive livery and it’s a winning formula. It takes real skill to make something shine quite as bright as this Pro R and the guys who are experts in keeping the lights on sure made it shine.
