Chassis

The '18 Sno Pro is 17 lbs lighter. Big news for Cat die-hards.

Almost as big of a deal as the new engine, is the complete re-design of the out dated body work. The “Next-Gen” panels, as Arctic Cat is calling them, are 10% narrower which allows for sidehilling on steeper slopes. The panels are also much easier to remove than the past models and won’t pack snow on hard edges. The hood is easier to remove as well, as any past proclimb owner knows, is a bit of a PITA to do.

The belly pan has been re-worked to float on top of the snow better, and allows the riders foot to move another 2 inches up for those steep side panel downhills. In conjunction with the revised belly pan the running boards have also been narrowed up to match the “slim” theme seen throughout the sled. There is a noticeable increase on the steeper slopes and the sled doesn’t want to “panel out” or “wash out” nearly as bad. It feels much more predictable.

Last year on the 2017 Mountain Cat, Arctic Cat introduced their drop and roll chain case which allowed the use of 8t drivers on the sled and allowed it to get on top of the snow better. It was a huge difference in all aspects of riding. For 2018, Arctic Cat applied that technology to their entire mountain line up. The drivers are dropped 1.125” down which gives you a flatter approach angle by almost 10 degrees. It makes a world of difference.

Flatter approach angle means better performance in all conditions. (Photo Courtesy Arctic Cat)

The jackshaft on the 2018 M8000 is also new. It’s hollow extruded aluminum and reduces the rotating mass by an incredible amount. Paired to the new, lighter, brake rotor it gives the sled a snappy, almost mod sled like feel. 

Now, Arctic Cat could have stopped here, and old Arctic Cat might have done just that. But they took the extra steps to completely redesign their gas tank to hold more fuel, and be lighter. Win-win. Total weight savings from the 17 Sno Pro to the 18 Sno Pro is 17 pounds. 

Arctic Cats have always loved to jump. The 2018, with it's light weight improvments, is a riot to pop pillows on.