1993 arctic cat

At Arctic Cat it's becoming "lead, follow or get out of the way!"
That's the statement Arctco makes with its 900cc Thundercat. It is the biggest, meanest Cat ever. Actually, it's the biggest, meanest production trail sled ever. For 1993, there isn't anything else like it in snowmobiling. While the other guys stopped at 800cc, Cat blew by on its way to fielding a 900cc triple.

When you consider that production-based Formula III racing will limit displacement to 600cc for the 1992-93 racing season and that the biggest stock racing class will be limited to 800cc, you might wonder why Cat would bother with a 900. The answer is simple. The Thundercat exists as Cat's vision of itself as the industry leader in snowmobiling.

States top Cat Chris Twomey, Arctco president; "The Thundercat shows off our ability with technology and makes it very clear that we are the leader in the industry."

It's not just the Thundercat on which Arctic Cat will rely for the coming season. The new line of "Z" performance snowmobiles is expected to bring a handsome return of checkered flags to the Thief River Falls, Minnesota manufacturer this winter.

The "Special" designation has been dropped on all stock racing Cat models for 1993. They are now "Z" models. Conceived in 1975, the "Z" designation was a tribute to Dennis Zuwalski, who developed the extruded aluminum slide rail suspension used on those models. Zuwalski is still a key member of Cat's engineering team.

The stock racers using the Z name include the EXT 580Z, the Prowler 440Z and the Jag 440Z.

The basis for Cat's entry into the new Formula III class will be the new EXT 580Z. A bored-out version of the successful EXT 550 Special, the new 580 model is a performance rider's dream sled. It has great power and exceptional handling. This nifty new Cat sports floating piston Fox gas shocks, a stiffer sway bar and the return to the "Z" designation. Like the 550 Special twin, the new 580 liquid-cooled engine breathes via a pair of 38mm Mikuni carburetors.

The Prowler Z, like the 580Z and Jag Z, has the easier rolling FasTrack suspension with its smoother contoured slide rails which reduces the track-to-rail friction of the previous suspension. Floating piston Fox shocks are standard and replace the remote reservoir gas shocks of last year's Prowler Special. The engine is the same 440cc light-weight twin with 38mm Mikuni carbs that powered the 1992 Special.

The Jag Z relies on the dependable 431cc Suzuki-built fan-cooled twin. The combination of a reliable engine and sporty chassis made the 1992 Jag Special a hit with beginning racers and trail riders looking for a low buck but fun to ride sled. The Jag Z continues that concept by upgrading to gas-charged shocks for the FasTrack rear suspension.

While the name is changed, except for the bigger 580cc twin, these Z models are very similar to last year's Specials. All three Z models come standard with the larger capacity 11 gallon fuel tank and widened 39 inch ski stance. The rear suspension will compress up to 8.5 inches with front suspension travel providing up to seven inches of action. Like the majority of Cat models for 1993, the Z sleds were designed around the Arctic wishbone suspension chassis which first appeared on the Prowler three seasons ago.

Even the electronically fuel injected Wildcat 700 has dumped the older chassis in favor of the AWS design. The base AWS chassis, which had to be stretched to accommodate the big 700cc twin, is used on all 1993 Cats except the low cost Lynx series and special utility models - Cheetah and Jag AFS Long Track. The 700cc liquid-cooled twin, which has been replaced in the "awesome" department by the new 900cc Thundercat, is available as either a carburetted model using a pair of 40mm Mikunis or an EFI model with Cat's 46mm throttle body set-up.

Although the 700 EFI twin was only available in the discontinued AFS chassis a year ago, the major differences between 1992 and 1993 Wildcats are relatively minor. Place the EFI twin into the carburetted 700's AFS chassis, add in front and rear gas-charged shocks to the smooth contoured FasTrack slide rail suspension, create some new graphics and you have the 1993 Wildcats.

Last year the available Mountain Cat version with its extended 136 inch long track was carburetted. This year it is based on the "fuelie," which Cat engineers expect to require less tuning in mountainous terrain. The standard chassis Wildcat comes with a 121 inch track and 8.5 inches of rear travel. There's seven inches of travel up front. Unlike some snowmobile manufacturers, Cat doesn't use a narrower ski stance from the standard to extended track chassis. Both measure 39 inches.

For 1993, the big measure of performance comes from the Thundercat. To shoehorn the wide three cylinder engine into the Wildcat chassis, Cat engineers had to redesign the AWS front end. That's why Arctic Cat brochures refer to it as the AWS III.

Where the original AWS chassis had to be extended to fit the Wildcat twin, that chassis and front bulkhead had to be redesigned to accommodate additional engine width and a repositioning of the front suspension structure. To regain a full 30 inch ski stance and seven inches of travel, the shocks had to be "laid down." It's doubtful that the trail rider would notice much difference in the chassis because as soon as the throttle tickles the three 38mm Mikuni carbs, this muscular sled's engine will demand the rider's full attention.

The 900cc triple is Arctco's first. A collaborative effort between Arctco engineers and Cat's minority stockholder, Suzuki, this liquid-cooled engine carried the Wildcat concept another cylinder and 200cc deeper into performance. To reduce vibration and ensure overall smoothness, the engine uses a counter-rotating balance shaft mounted under the exhaust ports. Induction is a set of three reed vales inserted into the crankcase.

Cat's most potent sled, the Thundercat is the largest performance machine on the market for 1993.

One of the most well-equipped sleds is the 1993 Pantera. Arctco shows great faith in its electronic fuel injection by placing it in a deluxe touring machine. The new 550 EFI twin replaces last year's 440cc liquid-cooled carburetted twin to make this sled a performance leader in the deluxe touring category.

While the '93 Pantera retains all the bells and whistles to insure that it is still the "Catillac," it features a handsome list of refinements that should make it an even better on the trail performer. For example, the ski stance has been widened to 39 inches. The AWS front suspension maintains seven inches of travel but adds gas-charged shocks for a more consistent ride. To keep you on the trail longer, the fuel tank now holds 11 gallons of fuel. And, while the Pantera still provides 8.5 inches of rear travel from the extended 136 inch track and suspension, it too adds a gas shock, plus a new fiberglass overload spring especially developed for two-up touring. If you ride alone, disengage the overload spring. If you have a passenger, simply flip the overload spring into place for a stiffer suspension setting.

As with previous Panteras, the 1993 model offers electric start, reverse gear and a full complement of gauges as standard equipment. The handlebar mounted instruments are backlit so you can read the instruments more easily while night riding.

You'll also find the same convenience of an adjustable backrest and a pair of travel cases mounted at the rear of the runningboards.

The Pantera shares its fuel injected twin with the EXT 550 EFI model which was introduced late last season. Instead of a pair of 38mm Mikuni carburetors (standard on the EXT 550), both the Pantera and EXT 550 EFI (whether in standard or Mountain Cat trim) use the Cat's digital sequential EFI system with 46mm throttle body.

Because the EFI requires a battery, the alternator on Pantera and EXT 550 EFI models has been juiced from 150 watts to 240 watts.

Other than intake systems, the EXT models are the same. They both get a gas-charged shock front and rear, come with 11 gallon gas tanks, and hood-mounted windshield and instrumentation similar to last year's Prowler Special. The Pantera retains the handlebar-mounted pod and windscreen.

As with the Wildcat series, Cat's engineers chose to base the Mountain Cat version on the EFI model, figuring that EFI was better suited to the variable elevations encountered by mountain riders.

The first of Cat's AWS models, the 440cc Prowler, returns in 1993. Other than graphics, gas-charged front and rear shocks, a slightly wider ski stance (by 2 inches), and the larger 11 gallon fuel tank, the '93 Prowler is little changed from last year. There are two versions, the standard and the Prowler 2-Up which adds reverse gear, a two passenger seat and a backrest as standard equipment.

Long a mainstay in Cat's line up, the AFS Cougar has gone away. The 1993 Cougar is essentially a no-frills Prowler with the 440cc liquid-cooled twin and AWS chassis. While last year's AWS Cougar used the same 440cc lightweight engine, the new version comes with slightly bigger carbs (36mm versus 34mm).

The 1993 Cougar promises to be an excellent seller as it provides an intermediate price and performance step between the fan-cooled Jags and the better equipped Prowler and EXT 550. Standard equipment includes: speedometer, odometer, trip meter, gas gauge, warning lights for temperature and low oil, parking brake and handwarmers.

It comes standard with the widened 39 inch ski stance, front and rear gas-charged shocks, and snow gripping full block 121 inch long track.

Despite the value built into the Cougar, Cat's perennial bargain has been the popular Jag series. Completely revamped last season and built around the "wishbone suspension" chassis, the 1993 Jags (standard and Deluxe) enjoy the benefits of gas-charged shocks and the larger capacity fuel tank (11 gallons versus 7.2 gallons). The Jag Deluxe will stand out on the snows due to its teal green cowl. The base Jag is black with teal trim. The Deluxe has standard electric start and thumbwarmers which are options with the base model.

Like the Jag series, the Panther models were re-done around the AWS chassis last season as well. Gas shocks, the larger gas tank and new graphic treatments are the main changes from 1992 to 1993. The 431cc fan-cooled twin is the base powerplant in both the Panther and Panther Deluxe, which has the advantages of electric start, reverse and a thumbwarmer as standard equipment. Both Pantera models can be further equipped with a hitch and tachometer.

The 1993 Lynx reflects cosmetic changes only. It retains the older style AFS chassis and 339cc fan-cooled twin in both the base model and the Deluxe version. Instead of the Arctic/Comet drive system, the short tracked Lynx models rely on the older Arctic Hex design driven clutch which has been seen on similarly powered Cats for a long, long time. The more utilitarian Lynx Mountain Cat comes standard with a Comet driven and 131 inch extended track.

In addition to the Lynx Mountain Cat, utility Cats include the Jag AFS Long Track and Cheetah (no longer referred to as a "touring" model). While these models reflect cosmetic changes only, they are unique in the Cat line as they are the only Cats with an articulated slide rail rear suspension and dual range drivetrains. The Cheetah comes with a standard high-low, reverse system while the Jag AFS Long Track can be equipped with either a single speed/reverse or high/low with reverse drive. Whichever transmission system you choose, these sleds are all business, whether you are ice fishing or working a trap line.

No matter what you want, Arctic Cat's 1993 model line can satisfy your desires. Even where the changes have been minimal, the designers have looked to upgrade your on-trail comfort. Sit on a '93 Cat. Note how much better the seat feels. Cat's designers tapered the seat toward the top. It's a little thing that, most likely, will go unnoticed, but it's an example of how Cat's engineers are working to make their machines just a touch nicer from the entry level Lynx all the way up to the heavy metal rumbling of the 900cc Thundercat.