Yamaha surprised us last year by introducing the industry’s first true three-seater side-by-side, the Viking. Although it fell more into the utility than sport category, we still were excited about it. But now, there’s a new Viking for us to talk about. Just released was the 2015 Viking VI.
It’s a six-seater, but unlike other six-seaters on the side-by-side market, it has three individual bucket seats in the front and three in the back. For safety and comfort, each seat has a three-point seat belt and headrest. And, like the original Viking, the middle seats are tipped back five degrees to provide more shoulder room.
Other convenient features include passenger handholds and foot rests. The vehicle also sports a walk-through design, which allows passengers to enter and exit the vehicle from either the left or right side.
On the power side of things, the 2015 VI has the same 686 cc liquid-cooled four-stroke as last year’s Viking, but according to Yamaha, the engine’s been optimized to handle the 2015’s greater capacity.
The 2015 Viking VI also benefits from: an extended wheelbase that helps smooth out the bumps; Yamaha’s Ultramatic transmission; on-command four-wheel drive (which comes with a fully locked front diff setting); and electronic power steering.
It comes ready to work, with a cargo bed that is rated for hauling up to 600 pounds. The bed even tilts so that unloading is easier.
The 2015 Viking VI is available in three models. Viking VI is the base model and the Viking VI EPS (electronic power steering) is the next step up. Then there’s the Viking VI EPS Special Edition, which comes with electronic power steering, as well as aluminum cast wheels, a soft sun top and other fancy features.
For more details, visit Yamaha’s website.