Performance

The Tomcar's off-road performance is like nothing else on earth. Smooth on the harshest of terrains and an extremely stable ride due to one of the lowest centres of gravity in the industry.

The Tomcar was engineered as a rear-wheel drive vehicle for several compelling reasons. Four-wheel drive vehicles need to slow down to make aggressive turns or to protect their differentials and front axles in difficult terrain. This means slow crawling and climbing.

For the Tomcar, it's just the opposite. The vehicle is engineered with the engine and most of the other heavy components at the rear. Combined with a light front end, this rear weight bias gives the Tomcar excellent traction in most conditions, while allowing higher speeds than current alternatives.

The Tomcar's suspension is fully independent front and rear with dual coil, infinitely adjustable hydraulic shocks. In front, the extra heavy-duty suspension mounts carry steel double A-arms that are designed to bend rather than break under excessive impact, so that the vehicle can still be driven home for repairs. At the rear, large swing arms provide 33 cm of wheel travel and are paired with shocks that feature a frame mounted accumulator that keeps shock temperatures under control, minimizing shock fade under stressful terrain. The Tomcar offers an accumulator direct from the factory, a feature normally available in high-cost aftermarket suspension kits.

The rear swing arms contain double roller chains in an oil bath encased in armored steel which transmit engine power to the rear wheels. With conventional drivetrains, a vehicle squats at the back during acceleration. But with the Tomcar, the torque forces the swing arms downward, lifting the rear of the vehicle which allows the Tomcar to maintain its class leading ground clearance even under load.

The drive-train utilises a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It's a completely sealed unit, but with the drive belt exposed. This means that unlike other ATVs, Tomcar's CVT unit runs cooler and the belt can be easily replaced in the field without tools. The transmission controls include two shift levers, one for selecting high, low or reverse gears or engaging a true neutral, and the other for locking or unlocking the posi-differential, which can be done on the move.

Every Tomcar is equipped with either a 4 cylinder, rear-mounted petrol or diesel engine. The fuel injected 1 litre petrol engine or naturally aspirated 1.4 litre diesel engine, both liquid cooled, deliver more horsepower and low-end torque than most ATVs which use single-cylinder engines or V-twin motorcycle-derived engines. As well as being more muscular, the Tomcar's power-trains have superior thermal management properties and are extremely dependable.

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"Despite the 100-plus-degree heat, the Tomcar purred along like a kitten, showing no signs of overheating even when driving at slow speeds with little to no airflow across the motor. The rack-and-pinion steering had excellent feel and only 1.6 turns lock-to-lock, allowing drivers to carve corners and avoid boulders with confidence and ease. We strongly suggest you check out the Tomcar for yourself - it’s quite the surprise."

Diesel Builder Magazine