If you’ve spent any time at the Glamis dunes or scrolling through off-road forums, you know the name. Robby Gordon. The guy is a polarizing force of nature. He’s won in NASCAR, IndyCar, and conquered the Baja 1000. But for the last few years, the biggest gamble of his career hasn't been a race—it’s been a machine. Specifically, the robbie gordon side by side, better known to the world as Speed UTV.
It’s been a wild ride. Honestly, "wild" might be an understatement. From the initial 2020 announcements that promised to "change the game" to the massive delivery delays that had preorder holders pulling their hair out, the journey of this vehicle is as bumpy as a whoop section in San Felipe. But now that these rigs are actually hitting the dirt in 2026, we can finally look past the marketing fluff and talk about what these things really are.
What Actually Is a Speed UTV?
Basically, Robby Gordon got tired of breaking other people's stuff. He spent years consulting for Polaris and helped Textron (Arctic Cat) develop the Wildcat XX. But he always felt like the major manufacturers were leaving performance on the table to keep costs down or simplify manufacturing.
So, he went rogue.
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The Speed UTV lineup consists of three primary models, though they all share the same aggressive DNA:
- The El Jefe: This is the big boy. A four-seat flagship with a 120-inch wheelbase.
- The El Diablo: The two-seat version for those who want a shorter, 110-inch wheelbase.
- The Baja Bandit: The short-wheelbase (95-inch) "nibbler" designed for tight trails and maximum agility.
These aren't just modified RZRs. They’re built from the ground up with 4130 chromoly steel. If you look at the chassis of a Can-Am and then look at the Robby Gordon side by side, the difference in "beefiness" is immediately apparent. He’s using 77-inch wide suspension as a standard. That’s wider than most street cars.
The Engine That Caused the Stir
Let’s talk power. Every Speed UTV comes with a 999cc twin-cylinder turbo engine. Out of the box, it’s pushing about 225 horsepower. But here’s the kicker that Robby loves to brag about: the engine is overbuilt to handle much more.
If you swap in what they call the "Hell Key," the car is designed to handle up to 300 horsepower.
Most UTV engines would turn into a pile of molten metal at those numbers. Gordon’s team claims their internal components—rods, pistons, the whole nine yards—are forged and ready for the abuse. You've got a three-speed transmission too. Not just High and Low, but a legitimate three-speed gearbox that allows for massive top-end speeds while still having the torque to crawl over a rock face.
Why Everyone Was Mad (The Delay Drama)
You can't talk about the robbie gordon side by side without mentioning the wait. It became a meme in the industry. People put down $2,000 deposits in 2020 and were still waiting three years later.
Why? Robby is a perfectionist.
He moved production from China to various spots including North Carolina, Texas, and overseas partners in Vietnam and India. He wanted to own the supply chain. He didn't just buy shocks off the shelf; he built his own Speed Shocks. He didn't like the tires available; he made Speed Tires. This "do it all myself" approach is great for quality, but it's a nightmare for a production timeline.
The 1,800-Horsepower Elephant in the Room
Just when people thought things were settling down, Robby Gordon went and did something absolutely insane. In late 2025, he debuted a version of the El Diablo powered by a twin-turbocharged LS V8.
Yes, a V8 in a side-by-side.
It’s claimed to produce 1,800 horsepower. It’s essentially a Trophy Truck with a UTV body. It uses a "Tri-Drive" system with three different air-controlled clutches. It’s $800,000. It’s totally unnecessary. And it’s exactly why people love (or hate) Robby. He builds stuff that shouldn't exist just to see if he can.
Is It Better Than a Polaris or Can-Am?
This is the $50,000 question. Literally.
If you’re a casual weekend warrior who just wants to trail ride and have a warranty you can use at a dealership in every town, a Polaris RZR Pro R or a Can-Am Maverick R is probably the smarter play. They have the infrastructure.
But if you’re a "built not bought" kind of person? The Speed UTV is different.
- Suspension Geometry: It uses a "double shear" setup on almost every pivot point. In plain English, it's harder to snap a bolt.
- Steering: It’s hydraulic. No more feedback through the wheel that tries to break your wrists when you hit a rock.
- Safety: The roll cage is actual race-spec tubing, not the "thin-wall" stuff most manufacturers use to save weight.
The downside is the support. You aren't going to find parts at a local shop in rural Idaho as easily as you will for a Honda or Yamaha. You're buying into the "Speed" ecosystem.
Real Talk: The Ownership Experience
Owning a Robby Gordon side by side isn't like owning a car; it’s like being part of a racing team. You’re likely going to be watching Robby’s YouTube livestreams for updates on parts. You’re going to be talking to other owners on forums about the best way to tune the ECU.
It’s a tinkerer’s dream.
The fit and finish on the newer units is actually quite impressive. Carbon fiber seats, five-point harnesses, and a digital dash that looks like it belongs in a fighter jet. But you have to be okay with the "boutique" nature of the brand.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you're looking at a robbie gordon side by side, don't just click "order" on the website and expect it to show up next Tuesday.
- Check the "Available Now" Inventory: Speed UTV has started listing "Cars in Stock." If you aren't prepared to wait, only buy a car that is physically on a showroom floor in places like Lake Havasu or their North Carolina HQ.
- Verify the Warranty: These are high-performance machines. Make sure you understand what is covered and, more importantly, where you have to take it for service.
- Join the Communities: Jump into the "Speed UTV Owners" groups on Facebook. Read the horror stories and the success stories. Most owners are surprisingly honest about the quirks.
- Evaluate Your Towing Rig: These are not light vehicles. An El Jefe can weigh nearly 2,500 lbs dry. Toss in fuel, gear, and a trailer, and you're looking at a significant load for a small truck.
At the end of the day, Robby Gordon didn't build a UTV for the masses. He built a race car that happens to have a CVT. It’s loud, it’s wide, and it’s over-engineered to a ridiculous degree. Whether that's worth the price tag—and the potential headache of a smaller brand—depends entirely on how hard you plan on hitting those dunes.
If you’re ready to pull the trigger, your next move should be visiting a regional off-road show where Speed UTV is exhibiting. Sit in the seats. Feel the steering. Because once you're behind the wheel of something designed by a guy who lives at 100 mph, everything else feels a little bit like a golf cart.