The manufacturer from Roseau, Minnesota, Polaris Industries Inc, has not finished surprising us. It amazes us year after year with new products. The company just can’t seem to get enough of the products it offers and is constantly pushing the limits to remain a leader in its field.
As a member of the journalistic fraternity, we are privileged to work with them and the development team listens to our opinions. We are the bridge that connects them to snowmobile enthusiasts and they are aware that we are on the front line of receiving consumer recommendations and expectations.
For the 2023 model year, Polaris will offer two new engines to power its snowmobiles even further and more efficiently. These will be added to the six existing engines available for the different categories.
A 4-stroke engine, it was about time!
Thousands of you have been asking for it: here is the return of a 4-stroke engine in a Polaris snowmobile. It’s important to remember that this manufacturer already tried this type of engine several years ago. The more seasoned riders will remember the engine produced by the Weber company in Germany that was originally developed for a micro-car named Matra. This engine was a parallel twin cylinder with a displacement of 749cc. Available at the time in the IQ chassis, it was rather anemic in terms of power in the naturally aspirated version, but the addition of a turbo had greatly changed the situation.
In recent years, Polaris was the only manufacturer not to offer a 4-stroke engine. However, the reliability of this type of engine has been proven and enthusiasts had to turn to a competitor to find what they were looking for. The year 2023 will be the one to remember, because it will be the year when Polaris will make a comeback with a “four strokes”.
The new ProStar S4.
2023 marks the arrival of a 1000cc twin-cylinder 4-stroke engine. This engine was created to provide even more fun on the snow. This new ProStar S4 engine is based on the proven ProStar style that already powers millions of Polaris off-road vehicles.
Without being too chatty about its capabilities, Polaris describes it as an engine in the sub-100 hp class. Even when we asked them about it, they preferred to remain vague and teased us by mentioning that it was between 80 – 100 hp. However, even though Polaris is stingy when it comes to delivering the exact number of horsepower, they prefer to let their performance speak for itself.
The goal in designing it was to make it easier to buy a snowmobile and to enjoy every moment of its long-term reliability. However, this is not an engine that was already used in an autoquad, but the same architecture that made it a success.
Overall, it is an engine designed to provide a low center of gravity. It also uses a dry oil pump system to ensure that the engine is adequately lubricated at all times, regardless of the terrain.
Polaris faced a challenge. It developed a new electronic throttle control to provide smooth, intuitive control with ease of operation. It feels like a mechanical cable and responds exactly to dictated commands. It was designed to allow you to stay connected to the engine with the desired immediate response.
The ProStar S4 engine allows for three driving modes: ECO, Standard and Sport. The ECO mode will allow for economy at the pump, while the Sport mode will help exploit the full potential of this engine. However, by their own admission, it is calibrated to work more efficiently with the Standard mode.
In general, the Matryx chassis did not get any changes to accommodate this new 4-stroke engine, except for the mounting points. Polaris was very quiet about the weight difference of the ProStar S4 compared to a 2-stroke engine, but it confirms (with good reason) that it is heavier.
Designers made the decision to pair the ProStar S4 with the P22 clutch previously available only with the 850 Patriot Boost. Where the P22 differs is in the use of a ball bearing on the camshaft to allow the belt deflection to be tight all the time, even as the belt wears.
The new ProStar S4 engine will be available in the following Polaris models for 2023:
- INDY XC 129/137,
- INDY Adventure 137,
- INDY Adventure X2 137,
- Voyageur 146,
- Nordic 146 (Europe only),
- Titan Adventure 155.
The newest member of the family… the Patriot 9R.
When it comes to mountain snowmobiling, enthusiasts demand power and instant response. Here’s something that will satisfy them with unparalleled power from a naturally aspirated 2-stroke engine. This 900cc engine will allow for even more jumps and a track speed never seen before.
The new Patriot 9R has 7% more power at sea level and 12% more torque than the Patriot 850, which will give mountain snowmobilers improved handling.
Its new crankshaft produces 3% less inertia than the Patriot 850, and it has larger ceramic-domed pistons and a new head design, created to optimize performance. In a category where weight is a major consideration, its overall design makes it 1.2 lbs lighter than the Patriot 850.
What would make a snowmobiler choose the Patriot 9R over the Patriot Boost? Polaris confirms that the 9R will have a more instantaneous response and will propel a snowmobile even further in a jump compared to the Patriot Boost. All of this to charm adrenaline lovers!
Like the Patriot Boost introduced last year, the Patriot 9R will also have the P22 clutch.
Here are the 2023 Polaris snowmobiles equipped with this new engine:
- PRO RMK SLASH,
- RMK KHAOS SLASH.
In conclusion, Polaris offers even more possibilities for snowmobilers with these two new engines. The HP war is once again on with Ski-Doo, especially with the addition of the new 2-stroke engine. For the moment, Polaris is standing out from the crowd.
To see all the 2023 models, visit Polaris website.
To read articles about 2023 new models:
- 2023 Timbersled
- 2023 Polaris: what’s new
