A variable ratio throttle control is disclosed for an off road utility vehicle. The variable ratio throttle control includes a butterfly throttle on a throttle shaft pivotably mounted to a throttle body, a bell crank on the throttle shaft, and a lever extension extending radially from the bell crank to provide an extended lever arm until the butterfly throttle is partially open. A throttle cable is connected between an accelerator pedal and the lever extension, the throttle cable being displaceable by depressing the accelerator pedal to turn the extended lever arm. The lever extension abuts a kick plate once the butterfly throttle is partially open. The butterfly throttle may be fully opened by displacing the throttle cable to turn the bell crank after the lever extension abuts the kick plate.