cat readies efi for 4wheelers

 You had to know that if any ATV maker would have a fuel-injected 4-wheeler, it would most likely bear the Arctic Cat name. The Thief River Falls, Minnesota, snowmobile and ATV manufacturer has developed an electronic fuel injection system (EFI) for ATV engines. Whether or not the system makes it to production Arctic Cat 4-wheelers hinges on feedback from dealers and consumers.

A technology trendsetter within the snowmobile industry, Arctic Cat remained the only snowmobile manufacturer to offer EFI technology on various engine packages until this year and still remains the only snowmobile manufacturer to offer the benefits of EFI on two-stroke engines. Since introducing its EFI system in 1990, Arctic Cat snowmobiles have become well known for guaranteed second pull starts, smooth idling, light throttle pull and automatic temperature and altitude compensation.

Arctic Cat spokesmen note that with the expanded use of today's ATV, "…Consumers are utilizing their machines in extreme temperatures in all sorts of elevation throughout the world."

As with snowmobiles, the advantages and benefits of the fuel system when applied to the ATV market are very similar. If utilized, the addition would make Arctic Cat the first ATV manufacturer to implement an EFI system on a utility class ATV.

"Developed internally with a major fuel system supplier, our R&D teams have been running ATV models with the EFI system in place for quite some time now," said Ole Tweet, Arctic Cat's Vice President of New Product Development. "Should we decide to move forward, consumers could see a fuel injected Arctic ATV within a six-to-twelve month time frame."

While not determined, the company says consumers would see a price premium for an Arctic Cat ATV with EFI technology. Initial product offerings would be found in the larger displacement Arctic Cat ATVs.