How does a manufacturer replace one of its best-selling quads?

You’d expect the answer to be not to change much. A new set of panels, a few more horsepower? Perhaps some new stickers? Job done.

CFMOTO went the other way.

For its new C4 and C5, it started again. New engine. New chassis. New transmission. New suspension.

Even the way the engine sits in the quad has been turned around.

Before asking its Irish dealers to sell the new machines, CFMOTO lined them up alongside the outgoing CFORCE 450 and 520 and several competitor ATVs and told the dealers to go and ride them back-to-back.

One dealer’s reaction after getting off?

This September, Irish farmers get to make up their own minds when the new C Platform makes its Irish debut at the National Ploughing Championships.

The biggest change is underneath

CFMOTO has developed an entirely new engine platform, including a reverse-cylinder layout that directs the exhaust more efficiently towards the rear of the ATV.

Why does that matter on a farm?

Heat.

Spend hours working a quad hard at relatively low speeds and heat around your legs soon becomes noticeable.

The new layout directs more of it away from the rider, while dual balance shafts help reduce vibration.

There’s more power too. The C4 produces 33hp from its 408.8cc engine, while the C5’s 498.6cc engine produces 39hp.

Useful when there’s a loaded trailer behind you or a steep field in front of you.

The transmission has been redesigned too, with a new CVT developed to give smoother, more controllable power delivery, particularly at lower speeds.

So, how does it actually ride?

“Smooth, not jerky, not grabby, not whiny.”

That was one dealer’s verdict after riding the C Platform alongside the outgoing models and competing ATVs.

Others picked up on the stability and suspension.

Another dealer singled out the suspension: “It’s a bit softer and you have a lot more control. I thought the older model was a bit on the stiff side.”

Suspension travel has increased to 210mm at the front and 235mm at the rear.

The engine is narrower too, reducing the leg-grip width by around a third, while the seat gets more cushioning and the controls and grips have been redesigned.

Small details on paper. Rather more important after a few hours checking stock across rough, hilly ground.

Earlier this year, senior members of CFMOTO’s research and development team travelled from China to Irish farms and dealerships, meeting farmers and dealers and seeing local working conditions first-hand.

Wet ground, steep hills, rough tracks and long working days are easier to understand standing in an Irish farmyard than from a report sent halfway around the world.

As one tester put it: “They are listening to us. They’ve heard us, and they have completely redesigned the bike from the bottom up.”

The new steel racks carry up to 40kg at the front and 80kg at the rear, with the rear rack now sitting level with the seat.

The exposed steel design also makes mounting farm equipment more straightforward.

Towing capacity reaches 612kg and a 2,500lb winch comes as standard. There’s full LED lighting with a reversing light, USB-A, USB-C and 12V power outlets and a 5.9-inch LCD display.

Even the gear selector and handbrake have had attention following feedback from existing owners.

The gear selector has moved from the left to the right, and the linkage has been redesigned.

One tester noticed the difference straight away:

“It didn’t matter where I backed to or drove to, I was always able to change gear and into park smoothly without resistance. It was a big improvement on the previous model.”

The handbrake has been redesigned too, with increased leverage making it easier to engage and release. Small changes, but useful ones when you’re on and off a quad all day.

See for yourself at Ploughing

The range starts with the CForce C4 Agri at €7,299 including VAT, followed by the C4 at €7,999 and the larger-enginned C5 at €8,699.

If you’re heading to Ploughing, it’s worth a look.

Sit on one. Feel the narrower riding position. Try the controls. Look at the racks and storage. And if you already own a CForce 450 or 520, you’ll have an even better point of comparison.

Its Irish dealers have already called the difference “chalk and cheese”.

Make up your own mind

Find CFMOTO at Stand 380, Row 18, Block 4, where the CFMOTO team will be joined by Irish dealer JF Hanley Groundcare.

The new C Platform will also be on display with CFMOTO dealers John Healy Lawnmowers on Stand 377, Row 18, Block 4 and at O’Neill’s Power Equipment, giving visitors three opportunities to get up close to the new machines during the show.

This is a sponsored post as part of our 2026 National Ploughing Championships supplement.