cat feels racy again

AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com

Thief River Falls, Minn. - Arctic Cat's long reputation of cranking out fast iron, think 2003 F7s most recently, gets a fresh jolt of java with a new turbo version of its Z1 that flat out moves.

In a nutshell, the Z1 Turbo kicks out a reported 177 horses when plunked in the tipped Twin-Spar chassis (introduced last year) that delivers better handling and steering control. That makes it the highest-horse production snowmobile on the market for 2009. Cat claims it'll do 112+ mph too. Did we just hear some lake racers shout Woo Whoo?

Plus, Arctic adds ACER, the same type of engine reversal system used in Ski-Doo and Polaris models to give the sled push-button reverse. That change allows Cat to eliminate a bunch of gears (49 parts in all) and cut 10 lbs. from the sled.

That good news spreads to the crossover segment too as ACER is used there to cut poundage from Crossfire models.

Note though that in this rapid romping Z1 Turbo, the intercooler and turbo add about 35 lbs., say Arctic engineers. But you won't feel it much, thanks to the kick in the backside this turbo delivers. AmSnow early test rides on the proto models show no turbo lag and a smooth quiet performance from this Suzuki-designed turbo based on the fine 125-horse engine Cat used in its former Jaguar model. Jag has been renamed simply the Z1 for 2009 and comes in an LXR model too.

Good news too for the avid horsepower crowd that likes to ride out West. The Z1 Turbo has an altitude compensation feature that maintains full power at any elevation. Cat says that means no clutching changes or dinking around if you want to hit the mountain trails. Just hop on and ride!

What's it look like? The Z1 Turbo comes in black with white trim for 2009 with a low windshield. The standard Z1 with the 125-horse 4-stroke comes in green and black with a mid-height shield, while the Z1 LXR adds a heated seat that previously was only offered on the Touring model, plus a mid-height shield. The LXR is mostly black with subtle green and white graphics.

Cat injects more performance
Arctic's other performance models in the tipped Twin-Spar chassis also see some improvements that help them handle and ride better.

The front end's spindle angle is tweaked forward 1.5 degrees and the single 4-in. runners on the skis have been adjusted to give them more bite in turns. We've praised Cat's light steering effort for several years, but haven't liked the push of the sleds when riding hard into turns. By moving the runners so that half is in front of the spindle and half behind it seems to have worked wonders.

The A-arms have been flattened a bit to aid stability, making the sled sit a tad lower. Plus, the spring rates have been increased from 98 to 120 lbs.

Test runs on fairly hard trails with a light dusting of fresh snow found the F-Series sleds much more grippy in the turns. This allows you to more confidently carry additional speed through a turn.

Arctic also made the running board clearance 30mm higher and adds a new rail design while moving the rear suspension arm mount back 63mm. This, coupled with a running board angle reduction of 2.5 degrees, seems to make these sleds, which were already quite comfortable, even more so.

The model breakdown shows a 570 fan, plus 500 and 800cc liquids in the standard F models, continuing in green, black and white trim. Their 128-in. tracks come with 1-in. lugs.

SnoPro models are available with 600, 800 and 1000cc liquids and Cat's performance shock package. Moving up to the SnoPro also gets you 1.25-in. lugs. Color choices are green or orange on a black base.

Crossover redux
Arctic says crossover sleds have been the fastest growing segment in the past 5 years as more and more Midwestern riders head West for snow. So it's natural that Cat engineers have retooled the Crossfire considerably, including adding a racy short-track version that's still built off the mountain chassis.

Like the mountain sleds (see sidebar), the Crossfires get the ACER engine reverse system that lops off roughly 10 lbs., and the SnoPro models get that awesome new telescoping steering column that extends 4 additional inches.

But the big deal here is moving the Crossfire to a 141-in. track and skid frame, up from the previous 136. Ironically, Polaris went the opposite direction with its Switchback last season. This season, Yamaha also goes to a 144-inch track, but one that's tipped-up to aid handling. So, there are a lot of choices in this segment now.

Arctic engineers say the longer track will give the Crossfire more powder playing power for riders aiming for more off-trail adventures. They say it'll be especially useful in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and for riders who haul their sleds to the mountains.

The new design puts one more lug on the ground at any given time and uses a Fox Float shock system on the SnoPro models. All the new skids have 8-in. rear idler wheels now and the tunnel is 6 in. shorter than last year. All Crossfires also feature a new LED taillight in a one-piece housing with the snow flap.

To further help the Crossfire in powder, Arctic adds a new Cobra track with softer 1.25-in. lugs the designers say will keep it zipping through snow with more authority. It comes on the standard model, with big 1.5-in. lugs on the SnoPro.

Both models are available with 800 and 1000cc liquid-cooled engines, the SnoPro again going with a white and orange color scheme while the standard is green and black.

Racier Crossfire
While Arctic engineers know the 141 will be popular with the Midwestern riders, it knows Eastern riders prefer something shorter. They also know their former Firecat customers like better acceleration and top speed.

Their solution? A Crossfire R on a 128-in. track that offers better stability and handling than previous Firecats, plus a better seating position. These R models look thinner and racier too and come in 800 and 1000cc versions, both in green or orange. Both models offer 14-in. wide tracks, and our early tests show these will hustle in a straight line.

Radar tests with Cat timers put a studded R 800 in the 100 mph range, with me aboard. I managed to push 103 out of a studded long-track Crossfire 1000, and the 800 was close behind. For the record, I got 100 mph too out of a non-studded Yamaha Apex LTX, and 99 out of a Ski-Doo MXZ 800R.

Cat's own figures show the R 800 topping out about 105 mph, on par with its speedy 2003 F7. They also recorded the R 1000 at 110 mph. Cat radar runs put the F8 at 106 and the F1000 at 107.5 mph too. So pick your chassis, these all will haul tail. (You can compare more radar data from our independent Real World results, or check our articles archives for previous year's results.)

Touring excitement
That's right, Cat puts some zing in the touring segment with a TZ1 Turbo Touring model, using that same 177-horse hummer from the short-track model. Plus, it adds heated seats.

Gone are the T660 and T660 Turbo models. Other touring models include the T570 fan, T500 liquid and the TZ1 4-stroke that debuted last season. Cat's TZ1 LXR remains the luxury version with heated seats and the 4-stroke liquid-cooled Suzuki engine.

Better Bearcat
The utility market, about 80% of which is sold overseas, sees a big change with the big ol' Bearcat moving to the rider-forward Twin-Spar chassis and getting the Z1 4-stroke engine.

Both give the Bearcat a new look coupled with better ergonomics and a stronger engine and 30% more load carrying ability. Compared with the former 660 Turbo, the 4-stroke delivers 12% more horsepower at 123 horses.

Two engine and track choices remain. There's the Bearcat XT with the new 4-stroke and wide 20x156-in. track. It's available in either a royal blue (popular in Sweden) or green and black.

There's also the reliable Bearcat 570 fan with two track choices, a 15x144-in. track or a 20x156-incher. Both models feature 8-in. saddleless skis too.

Note that the XT comes with an articulating suspension, plus electric start, push-button reverse, RydeFX shocks, adjustable ski stance, curved handlebars, 17.5-gal. gas tank and tall windshield.

Holy spring order Batman!
Wow, the graphics and looks take a giant leap forward for Cat with its spring order models.

Both the 800 F Series Limited and Z1 Turbo Limited are decked out in a sharp glossy black finish with copper trim and graphics. The windshield, lower nose piece, springs and boggie wheels are all copper colored, giving this a look that Harley riders are sure to love. We did!

The same scheme is available on the TZ1 Turbo Limited too.

Like the camouflage look?

A spring order M-Series LE also is available in 800 and 1000 and it comes in a black and tan camo trim with a star on the seat, giving this a distinctly military look. The same is available for spring in the Crossfire R too.

Pricing had yet to be announced at press time. Watch www.AmSnow.com, for those numbers and for Spring Order model pix!