Arctic Cat unveils 2010 snowmobiles

Thief River Falls, Minn. - Lets face facts, Arctic Cat has been kicking some major booty on the snocross circuit this year, thanks to its updated race sled and one Mr. Tucker Hibbert. That success is timely too, as Cat has been trumpeting its lineup of "The Worlds Fastest Snowmobiles" this season in all its marketing efforts. Now comes the 2010 line and - surprise, surprise - there are even more racy additions, for both the beginners and veterans. At the entry level is a Sno Pro 500, built on Team Arctic's strong and fast race chassis, but with a batteryless EFI 500cc 2-stroke tucked in its belly. For the vet who has been banging the ditches, moguls, powder and corners for years, Cat drops its power monster, the 180+ hp 4-stroke turbo into a long-track Z1 Turbo EXT. Talk about in your face!

(Mark Savage) Performance Let's start with the Sno Pro 500, something we all can appreciate, and pay for. It'll start at $7,995 US. No Canadian pricing had been set at press time. This lightweight sled, just 450 lbs., is a direct descendent of Cat's 600 race sled riding in a tubular 4130 chrome-moly and extruded aluminum chassis. This is what races snocross and cross-country circuits and has proven quite durable and fast over the past couple seasons. It's tall and nimble, but with an 85-horse engine that allows it to remain light and fun to toss around on the trail, or off. A quick ride on a pre-production model showed us this was the best handling sled in the lineup. It nibbled off corners and was easy to jump over the smallest of rises and moguls. The newest AWS front suspension with sway bar helps handling and front-end bump control. It features tall extruded spindles with ball joints, to cut weight and improve ground clearance. Race suspension geometry also helps cornering.

More Power, More Track On the other end of the spectrum, Cat unveils its new Z1 Turbo EXT, a long-track version of its rocket-like Z1 Turbo that debuted for 2009 with an AmSnow-tested 183- horsepower turbocharged 4-stroke. Early tests show the 144-inch track is a near perfect match for the Suzuki-designed 1100cc 4-stroke turbo. While we liked the short-track version, the added traction you get from this 15- x 144-inch Cobra single-ply, again with 1.25-inch lugs, is phenomenal. Several test riders called this the best use of a turbo yet and everyone loved its stopping power now too. Like other Cats, the Turbo EXT has the updated front-end geometry from last season, but also gets the adjustable IRP handlebar system, and a 5-inch riser, which is 2 inches taller than on the standard Z1. There, also, is electric start and push-button reverse, along with a deluxe gauge and (sadly) just a low windshield. The sled uses two Fox Zero Pro shocks up front and one in the rear arm of the skid too. In addition, the EXT, along with much of the rest of Arctic's performance lineup, includes a variety of weight-saving and performance enhancing changes. "Our girls may have been a little thick, but we've been putting them on a diet," said Troy Halverson, performance line manager for Cat. To that end, the EXT and all F-Series sleds, including the other Z1 and Z1 Turbo models, have a revised seat that cuts 8 lbs. Gone is the hard plastic storage area in back of the seat. The new seat looks slimmer, like a snocross model, but has a zippered storage pouch built into the back. So you still can put a belt, a few maps and such under the seat. A small tool kit, also, is housed there. If you still need more storage, you can attach storage packs behind the seat. Another functional change is the addition of a new rear tunnel with a more durable heat exchanger and extruded rear bumper that also will take more abuse. Cat adds a new, more visible, LED rear light and snow flap here too. Lighter, more open running boards also shave a little weight and help avoid more snow buildup, which can add poundage as you ride. The F-Series all get new wider skis, 6 inches vs. 5.5 on long-tracks last season, that are both stiffer and have a deeper keel to help cornering. Better yet, they are nearly 2 lbs. lighter than last year's skis. Cat, also, adds a third mounting bracket to the Turbo sleds, improving sway bar transfer and cutting chassis roll in the corners. That helps too when you have this much power to carry into a corner.

What else? Need more? Well there are further upgrades in Cat's performance segment. For instance, while the F1000 has been dropped, the F8 gets some hot upgrades. In the F8 lineup, which still includes the base, LXR and Sno Pro models, Cat rolls out a revamped 800 H.O. EFI engine that promises more instant throttle response. Arctic has cut 4.3 lbs. from the 150+ horse engine by installing a lighter crankshaft. There also are upgrades to the piston, cylinder porting, APV electronic exhaust valves, reed petals, a new exhaust system and EFI recalibration that combined are said to boost power by 8%. Halverson says couple those changes with the lighter skis, seat and running boards and the F sleds will be quicker off the line and lighter in the long run too. Pushed on the power from its revamped engine, Cat says to expect nearly 155 horses, but remember it prefers to run on 91-octane gas. Other performance models receiving the new seat, running boards, tunnel and taillight, include the F6 Sno Pro, F5 LXR, F570 and all the Z1 models. The F5 LXR an F570 also have splined sun gears on the ACT Diamond Drive to improve durability, plus the front wheels on the rear suspension on this, the F6 and F8 models have been moved inside the rails to help top-end speed. Cat's F570 also loses 5 lbs. by adding a push-button reverse and adds the improved wider skis that cut another 2 lbs. All told the fan sled is 17.5 lbs. lighter than last year's model, and that's a major change when you're looking at low horsepower to begin win. Cat, also, has changed the name of its short-track Crossfire models, to avoid confusion. These are now CFRs, which is the abbreviated name many have used for the past year. The CFR 800 adds the improved 800cc engine, new skis and FrogzSkin nose and side vents, which is a fine mesh material that will allow air in, but keep snow out. The CFR 1000, also, adds the FrogzSkin vent covers, plus lighter skis. Cat's Z1 and Z1 LXR 4-strokes lose 10 lbs. with a new lighter exhaust system and muffler. Likewise they get the new rear tunnel and running boards, revised seat, splined sun gears, and the relocated wheels on the rear suspension. Note too that all the 4-strokes now have a temperature light that lights up on the gauge pod until the engine is warm. When it goes out the sled is safe to run and you're much less likely to foul a plug, which is tough to get at to replace, so you don't want to foul one! All performance models are available in green and black combinations, several with new snarling Cat decals for the side panels. The exception is the Z1 Turbo and Z1 Turbo LXR, both available in orange and black.

Touring Here the lineup stays the same as last season with a TZ1 Turbo LXR atop the lineup with non-turbo TZ1 and TZ1 LXR also available. Updates include a new exhaust and muffler that saves 10 lbs., the more open running boards, splined sun gears and wheels moved inside the rails in the rear suspension. All are white and black, with both LXR models also having a very dark blue hood that most will think of as black, except on bright sunny days. All the LXR models, and Sno Pro models throughout the lineup also feature a clear-coat finish this year that makes them look more glossy and which is more scratch resistant. The entry-level touring market will continue to be served by the T570 with its fan-cooled 2-stroke engine. Also, like the F570, it gains a push-button reverse that saves 8 lbs. Like the others here it gets the newer running boards, lighter skis, splined gears, and new suspension with wheels inside the rails.