1990 arctic cat prowler

The Future

We fully anticipate that this new cat is the first of many Prowler-type Cats to come. In fact, we'll predict that within five years, the old first generation AFS Cats will be history and that current Cat names will be adorning this new Cat chassis. We foresee fan-cooled Jags, liquid-cooled El Tigres and Wildcats, two-up fans and liquids, stretch tracked Prowler-bodies, and more based on this new cat.

There is to be a pilot build of about 200 Prowlers in late January or early February that will be sent out to the top Cat dealers across the snowbelt. Based on the results of this final testing, the Prowler will be refined, finalized and sent into production as a 1990 Cat model. You may see some changes from those pictured here, but we'd guess they will be few.

All the standard Cat options can be fitted to this Prowler. Expect electric start, reverse, etc., to either be offered on a deluxe version or as options on a base model.

No one is talking at Arctco about pricing, but our early guess is that the Prowler will come in at around $4,500, or roughly somewhere between the liquid-cooled EXT ($4,899) and the fan-cooled Cougar ($4,099).

What about the other companies, what are they up to? Cat says that they know their competition in Roseau is working on a similar Indy-based lightweight concept. We really don't hear much from or about Yamaha or Ski-Doo. Although we find it difficult to believe that neither is looking at this market. Obviously Yamaha understands the Prowler's appeal. After all it's based on the Phazer and Exciter. Will there be a liquid-cooled Phazer? A smaller Exciter? A Ski-Doo mini-Formula? Stay tuned to TRACKS.