more cats in the barn

AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com

Thief River Falls, Minn. - "More than 80% wasn't good enough for you? Fine, we'll give you more!"

That's what we heard at Cat's headquarters in TRF at the '08 Sneak Peek. In '07, Cat invested millions of dollars in its almost completely new lineup, changing from the Firecat models, to the F-series and strong Twin Spar chassis.

This year, Cat expands the F-series to house a 570 fanner, and the touring line gets more attention from the Cat engineers who overhauled the segment to ride in the new, more rigid chassis.

Cat now has five engines in its Twin Spar performance segment. Pick from the F570, F5, F6, F8 and F1000. On the touring side, you'll see big advances with the new T-series models that come in 570, 500 and Z1 engine choices.

The mountain and crossover segments weren't ignored either, so keep your eyes glued to this screen!

F-series future
After shelling out big bucks last year for the biggest snowmobile product release in its history, Cat is trying to pay for all that tooling, but isn't sitting still.

Cat lovers asked for more in the F-series and Cat obliged with a more affordable fan-cooled F570 in the 60 hp class. That gives Cat a performance 2-stroke in the 60, 80, 120, 140+ and 165+ hp segments, all in the Twin Spar chassis.

However, the new 570 will not be available in the fully adjustable LXR package like the other Fs. The 570 will come with a fixed seat and fixed handlebars, but will get electric start and ACT drive with mechanical reverse standard. It also gets a new electronic speedometer and tachometer with digital and analog speed/tach, odometer, 2-trip meters, clock and numerous warning lights.

Nor will you be able to get the 570 in the aggressive Sno Pro digs. You can, however, still get the 6, 8 and 1000 with the stiffer Sno Pro suspension. Yet, the 570 gets the same slide action rear suspension as the other big-boy performance Cats get. The AWS suspension that the 570 used in the old chassis is nearing the end of its life cycle, but it's still being used in a few other models.

The standard F-sled gets a hi-performance rear storage compartment and the suspension is calibrated for more of a groomed trail ride and feel vs. the big bump capabilities of the racy Sno Pro with its Fox Float front shocks. The Infinite Rider Positioning system returns for '08 in the LXR models with fully adjustable seat and handlebar/riser. A fixed mid-height windshield has been added, but you can still add the adjustable windshield as an accessory.

If you want the LXR or Sno Pro sleds, you can get the new premium electronic speedo and tach, which also includes Cat Comm, heater settings, altimeter and reverse options. Sno Pro riders also will enjoy an improved sway bar design.

Under the hood you'll see little to no changes on the '08 sleds. There will most likely be some small changes in clutching, and a few tuning steps are being tested as we write this, but we're told, there will be no major diversions.

One small, and mostly unnoticeable, change will be co-extruded gas tanks on all sleds, which meets the new EPA permeation requirement. In addition, Cat engineers are still working on changes in the swaybar, carbide placement and suspension calibration to achieve better ski bite during aggressive cornering, but keep the easy steering feel achieved in the 2007 models. We don't want to say too much until we get the final specs though.

The 4-stroke, 120-horsepower twin Jaguar Z1 also returns in the LXR package with standard new mid-height windshield and 128-inch rear skid.

T-time
The touring crowd finally gets some attention too.

The Twin Spar makes it into Cat's touring market in a new T-series. Five engines will be available across the 2-up line, including the 2-stroke 570 fan, 500 liquid, 660 4-stroke, 660 4-stroke turbo and 4-stroke Z1 engine. Only the 570, 500 and Z1 will be available in the Twin Spar design though.

The coveted adjustable Z1 LXR 2-up will sport a long 144-inch track, a removable rear passenger seat with storage rack and more. Using a 144-inch track, vs. a 136-inch, stretches the touring sled to become an excellent cross-country tourer, and the removable seat means that this 2-up can change to a single touring sled in seconds. Just because the seat is removable doesn't mean Cat skimped on amenities. There is an adjustable backrest, passenger hand warmers and wind guards. Plus, the Z1 sleds come with Cat Comm so you can talk to your rider and others in your group if you all have the system.

The T-series sleds get electric start, push-button reverse and premium gauges standard. The IRP customizable LXR versions also get heated driver and passenger seats, a removable soft rear luggage holder and remote start. When you move the adjustable front seat, the rear seat must also move so you change the riding experience for both driver and rider. You can move the height of the handles for the passenger and they can control their own hand warmers too!

Mountain upgrade
At first glance, the new M-series looks like just another "bold new graphics" job, but there are plenty of new goodies. The best is a new Fox Float rear skid frame. This skid drops 8 lbs. from the frame alone. Since it's a spring-less design, there is less heavy metal and less snow buildup around the frame. The skid has a single pull-rod next to the Fox Float shock. The running boards have also been revamped with larger snow removal holes and modified edge rolls for strength and traction.

The new M-series comes in the 6, 8 and 1000 engine sizes, but you can only get the tougher Sno Pro version, with Fox Float front shocks, in the 8 or 1000 models. The Sno Pros also get a new titanium drive clutch spring and will come with the premium gauge set-up instead of the standard set-up.

Up front, all the M-sleds come with a new race-style spindle, which increases turning angle by 10% over 2007 models.

Crossfire status quo
For the third year in a row, Crossfires are satisfying the crossover market with a longer 136-inch track. Crossfire was awesome when it debuted, and it holds its head high as a strong boondocker and fun trail machine. Again, available with the 5, 6, 8 and 1000 engines, but the 2008 machines get a few upgrades with the new race-style spindles that appear on the M-series, and the 8 and 1000 Sno Pros get new premium gauges.

Sport utility and youth
The only sleds in the AWS chassis, Bearcat utility sleds are shedding the image of the trapper/logger sled and instead being seen as sporty sleds that get the job done. The snowmobile SUV.

The WT comes with a big 16-inch wide, 144-inch long track and with the option of a T660 4-stroker (the old turbo powerplant), this sled can really move!

For the youth market, Arctic offers the girls a new hot pink 120 with a racy number on the side and on the seat. Bet my little niece would like one of these!