Since many years now, we report the shift taken by Polaris concerning their trail snowmobiles and their interest for markets other than the mountain sleds, more specifically for the Québec market. This is the only market with steady numbers since the financial crisis started in 2008. And we can clearly see that the Province of Québec is one of the markets aimed by the Minnesota manufacturer who continues to take concrete actions that confirm this trend. Just talk to any Québec Polaris dealer about the changes in their strategies concerning their snowmobile production since 2010. They all agree that major efforts are being made by Polaris Headquarters to improve the Quebecers’ satisfaction.
Sled Magazine and Motoneiges.ca at Polaris Headquarters
Even if the Canadian market along with other growing markets in Europe are also aimed by many new 2014 models, we have the feeling that Polaris gives a special attention to the Province of Québec, following our numerous conversations. And once again, we can talk about the «Québec Mystery» ! Polaris people with whom we talked, are very impressed by the Québec snowmobilers’ enthusiasm… Since a few years, many representatives from the main office in Roseau have visited shows and events in the Province of Québec, and have also been snowmobiling on Québec trails. They all came to the same conclusion : they think that snowmobiling is not only a hobby for Quebecers, as it is for Americans, but it is a way of being, a way of living winter. What is sure is that this is to our advantage in Québec and Canada because we now influence in some way the snowmobile industry development in Minnesota.
As prove of this, Polaris representatives present part of the 2014 snowmobile lineup before the date of the official embargo, for which models they place high expectations on the Canada and Québec markets. They offer 8 new models for 2014, including 5 spring-only models. A very special point about the Rush and Switchback series is that we can order so many possible combinations of options all assembled directly at the factory. So, we can choose the colour of the sled (hood, suspension rails, tunnel), the windshield height, the electric starter, the seat and many other options. However, these possibilities are only offered on spring-only models. With all the possibilities and combinations offered, there are only a few chances that you meet on trails next winter another snowmobile with the same characteristics than yours.
All fans of Polaris snowmobiles, especially the fans of Switchback and Adventure series, asked for it and now they will be able to order it : the seat 1 + 1 for these models. The seat is very popular among north-eastern continent snowmobilers, particularly in the Province of Québec, and is integrated in the actual rear cargo rack. The Lock & Ride system introduced by Polaris in 2012 makes the installation very quick and easy. Those who ride with a passenger will not have to sacrifice the sport style of their vehicle anymore. Also, Polaris engineers confirmed that this seat should fit the 2012 and 2013 models after minor modifications brought to the plastic end of the rear compartment.
One of the big hits in Québec among the 2014 Polaris machines will sure be the introduction of the Assault 144 with the 600 Cleanfire engine. Year after year, the sales of the Assault 800 keep growing and the 600 edition should be very popular due to its more efficient and cleaner engine made of lighter mobile parts. This should bring a loss of weight and an even more impressive throttle response. It is essentially the same snowmobile than in 2013, except for the engine. As they say, why change a proven winning formula ?
The Polaris Switchback 144 Assault 600
Introduced in 2013, the Indy series is expanded with many models that will offer options designed for the north-eastern market again. The introduction of the fan-cooled Indy 550 F mounted on the Pro-Ride chassis will replace the Shift series of the past years. However, this new snowmobile is 50 lbs lighter than the older sled on the IQ chassis.
A brand new CVTech clutch system
Also, a brand new CVTech clutch system, with a PowerBloc-50 driven clutch and a WaveDriven drive clutch, should bring a new life to the 550 F category as it is more efficient for this type of engine. Moreover, this new clutch system will produce much less noise, will be lighter and its maintainance will be easier.
550 Indy
This is very important especially for remote country snowmobilers. The Indy 550 F is now equipped with a new lighter muffler with a unique sound. It is very interesting to know that two tracks will be offered : a 121 X 15 X 0,91” track with coupled rear suspension and a 144 X 15 X 1,35” track. The Adventure 550 F edition is also offered with a 144” track, equipped with all the accessories of the Adventure series along with the new seat 1 + 1.
Two other models are designed to break into a market taken until now by Ski-Doo Tundra and Tundra Extreme : the brand new Indy Voyager 550 F and 600 snowmobiles. Both equipped with a 144” track, the 550 F will show a 1,35” profile while the 600 will offer a 2,00” profile. The main advantage over the Tundra models, according to Polaris people, is the adjustable 39-42 ski stance, which will make a huge difference on stability on trails. The Indy Voyager 550 F and 600 are equipped with a rear cargo rack on the tunnel and many accessories are available to customize these machines.
Polaris 550 Indy Voyager
The Indy series offer again the 600 and 600 SP models plus a 2014 model equipped with the very powerful 800 Cleanfire engine. Take note that the expansion of the Indy series also means the end of the Rush models in standard editions. Polaris people explained that the typical Rush buyer always chooses the Pro-R series because it is a high performance snowmobile. All the 2014 Rush models will be offered in 600 or 800 Pro-R editions only.
As special as his big brother, the Indy 800 SP is lighter and offers an outstanding handling along with the great power of its 800 Cleanfire engine. The Polaris Indy 800 SP should be a snowmobile with very interesting quality/price ratio in the 800 cc category.
The Polaris Indy 800 SP
In conclusion and for those who may not have noticed it yet, Polaris is clearly fighting for the Québec and Canada markets to increase its shares. Already at the top of the lucrative mountain snowmobile market, the American manufacturer knows that he must develop other segments if he wants to keep on growing. It seems that many of his innovations hit the target. The changes of the latest years may have seemed improvised for some people, but the 2014 lineup proves otherwise. Our comments of the last seasons have been taken into consideration and even if there are still some needs to be fulfilled in the northern markets, the trend is evident ! It is also obvious that this is to the advantage of the Canadian snowmobilers and espacially the snowmobilers from the Province of Québec.
Marc Thibeault
