Sir Edmund Hillary was the first known human to summit the highest mountain on earth. It was a treacherous climb up to the 29,000 ft summit of Mount Everest, and the weather was never going to be on his side. Though Edmund was the first to reach the summit, right next to him was Tenzing Norgay. Tenzing had attempted the world’s highest climb twice before with a different team, and on each attempt his purpose was clear. Tenzing was a Sherpa, a proud mountaineering clan from the Tibetan and Nepalese regions of the higher Himalayas. If it wasn’t for Tenzing Norgay, or for his people, who are naturally adapted and suited for such harsh climates, no expedition to climb Mount Everest would have been easy, or even possible. Ever since they helped Edmund Hillary reach the top of the world in 1953, Sherpas have continued to lead and guide mountaineers to the highest peaks in the region. A Sherpa’s duty is to carry most of the equipment, make sure all the safety lines are in place, and determine if the weather is suitable enough for a mission to be completed. Their physical prowess, natural stamina and endurance, and knowledge of the mountains have made the Sherpas legends in the adventure enthusiast world.
Two decades ago, a Ukrainian-based tech company was working on the development of a super all-terrain vehicle. During the early stages of the program, they decided to name their vehicle the SHERP, which pays homage to the Sherpa's reputation. A Sherpa is naturally acclimatized to live in the most inhospitable environments. Sherpas are strong and tough, and they are brave. They can climb over anything and do just about anything humanly possible. The SHERP also carries a similar reputation. The SHERP is the big-daddy of all-terrain vehicles, and it’s the boss of off-roaders. Fortunately for us, we got to experience just what the SHERP can do, and that too in the most amazing place. Here is our review of the greatest ATV on the planet.
Built Like A Tank, And Looks Like It Too
You may already be familiar with the SHERP. It was once featured on Top Gear, and it also starred in a Kanye West music video. But you have probably seen the SHERP in action on many YouTube videos doing some insane things. Whether it's driving over massive boulders or fallen trees, crossing swamps or lakes (yes, it's an amphibious vehicle), the SHERP proves time after time why it’s the best ATV, or off-road vehicle, in the world. When you lay eyes on the SHERP, it looks like a metal box placed on top of four massive wheels, and that’s exactly what it is. The first SHERP was the Pro model, which is a smaller, lighter, and faster all-terrain amphibious vehicle. We got to experience the bigger and roomier SHERP N 1200. Weighing in at 5,219 lbs, the SHERP is big and bulky: It looks like a tank, and with the yellow paint job our test vehicle had, it could even be mistaken for a commercial bulldozer.
The SHERP doesn’t have a chassis. Instead, it is a completely solid steel and aluminum body. This is the amphibious design for the vehicle, which will allow it to float on water. There is also no suspension, as the SHERP allows the driver to control the tire pressure to adjust for terrain: We will talk about this later though. The SHERP’s body sits on massive 71-inch tires that are tubeless and have a rudder pattern design, which is perfect for rough terrain. The entire body is built to take a beating, and that makes the SHERP incredibly tough. In fact, there are some SHERP vehicles used in non-active military duty and it is said the steel underbody can withstand small grenades and mines. We weren’t able to test that out, though.
Practical Interiors With Multiple Seating Arrangements
It isn’t easy to step inside the SHERP. There is a latch drop-down door right at the front of the vehicle for the driver and co-driver to get into. Once you drop the door, there is then a tiny ladder that pops out and you then need to climb into the SHERP. If you are not in the best shape, you might need some help. A similar drop-down door and ladder are also at the rear-end of the SHERP, and this is where all the passengers will enter. Our SHERP test vehicle was set up for ‘Search & Rescue' so there was a bench configuration with a stretcher on the other side. There is plenty of storage space and options as well, including under the floor of the cabin.
Since the SHERP N was specially designed for commercial use, a total of six seats can be fitted into the cabin, or you can even opt for bench seats to fit nine passengers. It really depends on what you are looking for. Now, you can’t expect a luxurious setting whatsoever inside the SHERP, but you can expect a well-built and spacious utilitarian environment. After all, this thing was meant to go where no other vehicle can. There is nothing aesthetically pleasing about the cabin as it’s a purposefully built layout.
When you get to the driver’s seat, you will notice that there are plenty of buttons and controls laid out and they are all well within reach of the driver. There are also storage spaces and cupholders. However, you will also notice that there is a major component missing from the driver’s seat, and that's the steering wheel. The SHERP uses what is known as Skid Steering, and it’s similar to what large construction equipment machines use. There are two levers on your left: one controls the left wheels and the other controls the right wheels. These levers also control the brakes. The only similarity to a regular automobile is an accelerator pedal, a clutch, and a manual transmission.
Not The Most Powerful, But Definitely The Most Capable
The SHERP N is a massive vehicle, but it doesn’t get the biggest engine out there. Instead, it uses a wonderfully designed 1.8-liter, three-cylinder diesel engine sourced from Korean company Doosan. The engine is good for just 55 hp, and 140 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels with a 6-speed manual sourced from French carmaker Renault. The engine is more than capable of making sure the SHERP gets moving and it also allows for a towing capacity of almost 5,200 lbs.
Once I got into the driver’s seat, I have to admit it did take me a while to get the hang of the controls. The skid steering does require a lot of practice. I am very comfortable with manual transmissions and I was amazed at just how smooth the clutch and gear lever felt. Changing gears is effortless and easy, but the brakes certainly felt a little jerky. Again, though, that’s only because this was my first time driving such a unique machine. The ride quality of the SHERP is definitely something unlike anything I have experienced before, and that is because there is no suspension.
The Sherp uses a unique air-circulation system that uses exhaust gases to deflate or inflate them when required. If you are going over mostly dry land and rocks, you can keep the tire pressure high. If you find yourself on muddy trails or slushy swamps, then you reduce the pressure to its lowest. The tires are connected by a pneumatic circuit that allows the driver to adjust the tire pressure to different terrains and payloads. It’s as simple as pressing a button. All of this is monitored on a pretty nice digital display, and all other information is also available to the driver.
What really impressed me was the manner in which the SHERP totally dismissed anything and everything that came in its path. It didn’t matter what lay ahead, the SHERP representative sitting next to me encouraged me to aim for obstacles instead of avoiding them. I could barely feel a large boulder or a deep pit. Even small trees were being uprooted as the SHERP plowed on through the forest. I have done some serious off-roading in almost every SUV imaginable, and I can safely say that nothing can compare to what the SHERP can do.
The SHERP Is Also A Boat
The SHERP is the first amphibious vehicle I have ever driven in my life, and I have to say it’s certainly something that had me on the edge of my seat—all the time. When we approached a lake, I had to slow down and prepare myself for what was about to happen. The SHERP just moved forward without a care in the world. On land, the SHERP has a top speed of 25 mph, but once in the water, it can only reach 4 mph. It definitely feels slow but at least it gets you to where you want to go. There were instances where I felt the SHERP was going to tip over, but it just kept moving forward. This amphibious capability makes the SHERP one of the best vehicles for explorers and commercial workers in the most hostile environments. The SHERP can also operate between minus 40 to 40 degrees Celcius, and keep all the occupants safe and comfortable at all times.
Long-Running Hours And Good Engineering
The SHERP also gets a 25-gallon fuel tank, and underneath the cabin floor, there are four additional 15-gallon fuel canisters. This means that you could possibly keep the vehicle running for 65 hours. This is perfect for long-haul adventures, isolated construction work, or search and rescue missions. The SHERP also is durable, reliable, and needs minimum maintenance work. The transmission chains are located in closed oil baths, and there is no need to service and lubricate them. The maintenance interval is every 250 working hours, which is a pretty long time. The SHERP is also certified by the EPA of conformity with the clean air act.
Who Is The SHERP For?
As I mentioned earlier, the SHERP was primarily designed and developed for commercial use as well as non-active military use. It is definitely not street legal. But it is certainly the most capable ATV on the planet, and I have witnessed first-hand just what it can do, and it's mind-blowing. North America is currently the biggest market for SHERP, and besides being used in a wide variety of industries, there are also quite a few individual buyers who see the SHERP as an enthusiast's vehicle. With a price tag of $115,000 for the smaller SHERP Pro, it's certainly not an affordable ATV, but let me just tell you that it is something unlike anything you will ever experience. Hunters, campers, geologists, or just off-road enthusiasts will surely love the SHERP for what it is. If you can't afford to buy one, you could always rent one. All you need to do is get in touch with SHERP today.