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"M" Means MountainCat believes in "big" performance. Despite the smaller displacement motor of the M7, you will find a very similar power- to- weight ratio. The M-series is available in the already mentioned M7, but also includes an M6 (599cc twin) and M5 (499cc twin). The introductory M5 will be a price leader of sorts as it will be available with the 80-horsepower version of Cat's 500 twin. That means no electronic fuel injection nor power valve exhaust. Altitude adjusting carburation is standard. The Firecat version of the 500cc twin delivers a stout 105 ponies and has the EFI and Cat power valve setup. We expect the M6's 600 twin to come in with about 110 hp.
Cat's mountain sleds are notoriously light, easily under 500 pounds without a full load of fuel. From a mountain rider perspective, Arctic Cat has made great leaps in the powder domain. The original King Cat 900 has made two key changes for next season: switch to Fox' Float shocks on the skis as standard equipment and the addition of a batteryless electronic fuel injection system on the 900 twin.
The new M-Series uses a new chassis expressly designed to fit the Firecat-type twins and accommodate a 15-inch wide "Attack 20" track. This means that the new chassis is 16-inches wide and that the bulkhead can accept the presence of the now-proven ACT Drive system, which is used throughout the Firecat line in '05.
You'll find that Cat mountain men created a new look for the M-Series that is reflected in the hood design, use of removable side panels for convenient service, revised console and rear taillight area.
Other features include the new deep keel, saddleless skis that seem to be ubiquitous with all sled makers this season, a large 12-gallon fuel tank designed to displace the fuel's weight better, a more mountain rider-friendly rear bumper and a new snow flap.
The limited edition M7 Limited will come with Fox' Float shocks, which feature a patented adjustable progressive air-spring that works in unison with a nitrogen gas velocity-sensitive oil damping system. Fox Shox claims the advantage of its Float AirShox lies in its adjustable progressive air-spring chamber. The idea is that you can infinitely adjust the spring force with air to accommodate any combination of rider weight and type of riding.
Snowmobilers will find an extra bonus in weight saving. According to Fox, a pair of Float shocks will shave 4 to 6 pounds off your snowmobile compared to stock coil-over shocks. An obvious weight savings comes from a lack of a coil spring mounted over the shock body.
Obviously Arctic Cat is sold on the performance of its ACT Drive, originally conceived as the "Diamond Drive." You'll find all three new M-Series models using the design. Introduced last season on the big 900 twins, the ACT Drive adds enhanced drivability to the performance-oriented Cats. The key for the M-Series is that the ACT Drive is 11-pounds lighter than a standard chain/sprocket drive. Cat engineers also like the fact that the drive presents a 25 percent wider ratio than Cat's previous drive system. And, of course, the fact that you can establish lower gear ratios than with a chaincase setup makes sense for mountain travel. Hmm, for powder sleds, the ACT Drive seems to have little downside, only upsides- which are what you need in the mountains!
To get the new M-Series up on the float, Cat outfits the new M7 Limited with a 162-inch track that features 2.25-inch lugs. It's the same setup used by the King Cat 900s and is optional on the standard M7. The base M5 relies on the 141-inch track, while the M6 can be fitted with your choice of 141-or 153-incher. The base M7 also can be fitted with either of those track lengths.
With an adapted perimeter cooling setup, the M-Series offers a heated runningboard. In case your sled's seat gets wet and iced up, it's readily removable so you can bring it inside to thaw out at night.
Power, smooth transitioning drive systems, less weight, and mountain rider ergonomics make the M-Series as big of a winner in the steep and deep as the successful King Cat.