arctic cat 2007

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THROUGHOUT 2006, all that most of us heard from die-hard Arctic Cat-lovers was, "Cat doesn't have a 4-stroke for me" and "Why isn't there anything really new in Cat's lineup this year?" Some even talked about abandoning ship. I felt for them, as I also was wondering what would come out of Thief River for 2007.

But Arctic Cat answered with a resounding product roar in '07.

So what's new? How about new 800 and 1000cc 2-stroke engines in the Firecat, Crossfire and M-series. Not enough? Try the new Jaguar Z1 with a fuel-injected 1056cc twin laydown 4-stroke that puts out 125 horses. Want more? There's also a new retro-looking Panther complete with vintage Panther-print seats. To put the icing on the cake, all Firecats and Jaguars come in a completely new "Twin Spar" chassis!

To say the least this is the biggest new product offering to ever come out of Thief River Falls.

4-STROKE FOR SURE

Cat lashed out at naysayers this year with a brand new Suzuki-powered dry-sump 4-stroke set in a new Twin Spar chassis. Arctic Cat says this is a new sled from the ground up.

The Jaguar's twin parallel 4-stroke engine was purpose-built for this sled and isn't a derivation of a motorcycle engine as many suspected. Like most 4-strokes, it has a linear power band and really winds out at the top end, according to Arctic Cat reps. Jaguar's emissions are lower than the current T660 too!

Will this powerplant rival the trail-proven 4-stroke engines from Yamaha? At first ride Arctic and Suzuki seemed to have done enough homework to be very competitive. We felt little vibration, enough power for the chassis weight and the lack of engine braking allows the sled to effortlessly glide when you let off the gas. We're not 100% sure this is a good thing yet, but hard back-shifting may be a concern for some buyers.

There's also plenty of room in the new chassis' bulkhead for add-ons. Did I hear someone in the back yell "turbo"?

POUNCING FORWARD

The new Twin Spar chassis sleds also have a new riding position. The rider can sit higher and more forward than on any previous Cat, but it's not a REV riding position.

"We heard time and again from riders that their knees hurt after riding the REV and we gave the people what was most comfortable, an almost 90-degree angle (at the knee) for the rider," said Joel Hallstrom, Arctic Cat's snowmobile product manager.

The new chassis also is secured with piercing rivets. They're stronger than the traditional welds and will make the chassis more rigid.

Arctic Cat also fashioned its own adjustable steering post and handlebar system and added an adjustable seat. The combined options are called the Infinite Rider Position (IRP) System.

Unlike Polaris' Rider Select handlebar system, you can adjust the positioning of the whole steering system from the riser up, AND you can rotate the handlebars separately. You get two independent adjustments with the latching and unlatching of just one cam lever clamp. There are a total of 11 adjustment positions, giving a total range of adjustability of 3.32 inches forward and 2.12 inches vertically. There also are an infinite number of bar positions with an 85-degree range of motion. Cat says it also will offer numerous riser heights.

In addition to the adjustable handlebar system, Cat integrated a moveable seat. By pressing a button at the rear of the seat, you can move the whole piece up the gas tank to be closer to the bars and higher, or farther away and lower.

There are seven positions - the seat can move .523 inches forward and .344 in. vertically. From the farthest rear/lowest to the farthest forward/highest position, the range of seat motion is 3.66 in. forward and 2.41 in. vertically. Traditional AND aggressive riders can feel at home on the same sled! The windshield, headlight and footrests adjust too.

SLEEK AND FIT

The new rider forward offering from Arctic wouldn't be complete without aggressive new styling. Cat fought off former connotations that its fit and finish was sub-par with a new line that is much more detail oriented. Cat certainly has taken notes off products from the other manufacturers, but kept the new sleds looking distinctly Arctic.

NEW FIRECATS

Gone is the F7. I know, I know, it was one of our favorites too. But two new brothers will join the F6 on the snow. New for '07 are the F8 and F1000.

That's right, the famous performance sleds get two new engines and three different option packages - standard, LXR, or Sno Pro. The Firecat line will be set in the new Twin Spar chassis, offering riders more versatility. Steering angle has also been upped on the new F-series, resulting in even more responsive turning.

The Sno Pro models with Fox Float shocks will be available in all but the F5. Cat didn't forget about us guys who love that aggressive package and there's even an F8 Tony Stewart edition Sno Pro.

This year Cat has every reason to thump its chest and say "bring it on" to the competition. The big bore battle this year will be Ski-Doo's monster Mach Z vs. the fearsome F1000!

CROSSFIRE IS LOADED

Last year we put hundreds of miles on our Crossfire 6 and this is the only crossover machine that stays put in Cat's lineup. Loaded into the Crossfire clip for 2007 are new 500, 800 and 1000 versions. The 500 replaces the M5 entry- level mountain machine in Cat's lineup.

All Crossfires stay in the combined M/F-series chassis that they were in last year. Sno Pro packages also will be available in the 800 and 1000cc sizes.

Arctic Cat takes direct aim at Ski-Doo's Renegade lineup by offering extended track options in all of the same engine sizes as Ski-Doo. Plus Cat offers a liquid 500 engine option that has consistently out powered every sled in that engine class. New graphics and more attitude come standard with this new Arctic Cat lineup and we suspect there'll be some big challenges on the trails and in the deep this year!

CAT GOES BACK

The turbo trail, touring and utility models from Arctic Cat also get some attention in the new models.
In the turbo trail class this year is the 4-stroke T660 Turbo Trail or Trail LE, and the Turbo Touring or Touring LE.

The new Panther in particular has a retro seat with a vintage looking Panther print on it. For many years this print was standard Cat issue and we like it on a new sled. The Panther comes in small 2-stroke 370 or 570 options, or 4-stroke 660 Touring and 660 Trail models.

Utility also got a facelift with new versions of the Bearcat 570, 660 Wide-Track, and 660 Turbo Wide-Track.

MOUNTAIN CATS

The M-Series will come in 6, 8 and 1000 models, but there also are new all orange Sno Pro models in the 800 and 1000 sizes. The Sno Pros will feature a Fox shock upgrade and a titanium spring. The new Ms will come with 141-, 153- or 162-inch tracks and the consumer will be able to choose from either the Attack 20 or Camoplast Challenger models.