Mid-Season Impressions of the 2019 Ski-Doo Renegade Enduro 900 ACE Turbo
This season, thanks to the collaboration of the BRP dealer Les Motoneiges Géro in Saint-Jean-de-Matha, I have the chance to test the 2019 Ski-Doo Renegade Enduro 900 ACE Turbo ACE. It is a model that has been designed explicitly by BRP to offer snowmobilers the best possible driving experience for long rides and the occasional off-trail outings. The Renegade Enduro, regardless of the version, comes out of the factory very well equipped. At the time of writing these lines, I already have logged more than 900 km, and it is a pleasure for me to share with you my first impressions.
Our test pilot with the 2019 Renegade Enduro 900 ACE Turbo
REV Gen4 Expanded Chassis
Our test snowmobile is equipped with the all-new “wide-design” REV Gen4 chassis. It has the same advanced ergonomic characteristics such as a narrow seat, a bevelled tunnel and Ergo-Step panels. These components allow the driver to move easily on the snowmobile and adopt a very sporty driving position. This version in the expanded design further improves the protection against the wind while keeping the look of performance. By merely looking at the front grills of the snowmobile, we notice all the muscle of the 900 ACE Turbo version immediately. For my part, I very much appreciate this chassis for the comfort and driving flexibility that it provides. Another important element is the snowmobile’s look. It is really superb, and it definitely excels at turning heads as well.
The “wide-design” expanded REV Gen4 chassis offers excellent protection against the wind.
Rotax 900 ACE Turbo Engine
Since the beginning of the season, there is a question which is on the minds of snowmobilers: how is the 900 ACE Turbo engine? For my part, I must say that I am really impressed by the performance of the engine. Having driven Ski-Doo snowmobiles equipped with 1200 4-TEC engines for many years, I am excited by the power and softness of the 900 ACE Turbo. This engine is so soft and linear during the acceleration, and it sometimes seems like an electric motor. The torque felt is excellent at all speeds, and the range of power is very linear. This engine offers an outstanding 150 HP, which is a level of power very sought after by both performance and cruising snowmobilers. A crucial element to note is the super-quick accelerator response. In this version, there is no delay when we press on the latter. This speed is a net advantage in sport-style driving; however, in bumps, you must learn to position your thumb as to not let the snowmobile bounce unwittingly with the movement of the body. This intelligent iTC accelerator has 3 driving modes, namely ECO, Standard and Sport. The standard mode has been my favourite up to now and the one I use most of the time. The accelerations and recoveries are very good in Standard mode. However, the SPORT mode is the one that allows the snowmobile to offer its full performance and the sportier driving experience.
The performance and softness of the Rotax 900 ACE Turbo engine are truly remarkable.
Suspension
The 2019 Renegade Enduro 900 ACE Turbo is equipped with the RAS 3 front suspension and HPG PLUS shocks with adjustment ring. At the rear, we have an HPG PLUS centre shock and an Air-Ride shock, coupled with a 137-inch rMotion. This suspension undoubtedly offers a unique driving experience as we sometimes have the impression of driving on a cloud of air. Even if this configuration usually equips luxury “Touring” snowmobiles, the renegade Enduro allows both comfortable rides and also very sporty ones. On our test snowmobile, I had the rear springs replaced for more rigid ones. This makes a real difference in the snowmobile’s behaviour. Personally, I find that the HPG PLUS shock is very well calibrated on this model and with the air suspension, it really has a snowmobile that is adapted for very long rides.
The rMotion suspension with an air shock absorber is really comfortable
Various Equipment
Our test snowmobile is fitted with two characteristics that I appreciate very much on this model. The first element is the Pilot TS skis. They have the feature to allow the snowmobiler to adjust the carbide runner height over a range of ½ inch and thus have an ideal bite no matter the trails conditions. It is therefore unnecessary, with Renegade Enduro, to play with the transfer of the suspension to have more or less ski bite, you merely need a few turns of the TS skis thumb wheels for ideal driving.
The other element is the presence of the ICE RIPPER XT track. Measuring 137 inches long with 1.25-inch studs, the latter is factory pre-studded for improved traction and confidence. They allow the snowmobile to have a much better grip on icy surfaces, in bends as well as when braking and accelerating. For my part, with all the rain and marginal trail conditions we sometimes encounter, it is imperative for all trail snowmobilers.
Another very cool element with our snowmobile is the fact that it has two LinQ accessory positions at the rear of the snowmobile. This allows me to use both a huge bag such as the new LinQ Adventure, or another combination with the auxiliary fuel tank. As for the amenities of the renegade Enduro, I very much appreciate the seat heater which is very practical to warm yourself in freezing weather. The electronic reverse is also a very useful commodity when carrying out manoeuvres, allowing us to keep both hands on the handlebar.
The combination of the Pilot Ts skis as well as the ICE RIPPER XT track makes the Renegade Enduro a snowmobile that is really designed for long rides.
Overall Driving Experience
For my part, I very much appreciate my driving experience. In addition to being a snowmobile with a look of performance, it really comes with a hefty dose of refinement. The “wide-design” REV Gen4 chassis allows for sporty and very comfy driving. The 900 ACE Turbo engine is really impressive, both for its vivid accelerations as well as the smoothness of its driving. The suspension and different luxury characteristics also make the Renegade Enduro a snowmobile that is very pleasant to drive on long rides and even on trips.
Having driven Ski-Doo snowmobiles equipped with the GEN4 chassis and 850 E -TEC engine during the past two years, the big difference for me is the behaviour of the snowmobile in very bumpy trails. The additional weight of the snowmobile, with the presence of a 4-stroke engine, made a slight difference in the behaviour in the challenging trails. The E-TEC version models had more of a tendency to fly over the bumps at a reasonable speed. The extra weight makes us feel a little more action from these, but the snowmobile is genuinely able to negotiate these types of conditions. Personally, I find that the weight distribution model with the 137-inch Gen4 chassis is really excellent and particularly easy to manoeuvre in the bends. The 900 ACE Turbo engine really offers remarkable driving performance and smoothness. This engine also provides a range of very linear power with a lot of torque and even at low speed, which is really impressive. I am really excited about this snowmobile, and I am very much looking forward to my next rides to test the model even in different conditions.
Our test driver in front of the BRP dealer, Les Motoneiges Géro Inc.
To learn more about our first impressions of the 2019 Ski-Doo Renegade Enduro 900 ACE Turbo, I invite you to watch our video on this matter.
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To finish, I would like to thank Les Motoneiges Géro Inc., a BRP dealer in Saint-Jean-de-Matha, for the loan of the 2019 Ski-Doo Renegade Enduro 900 ACE Turbo for a long-term test.
I also invite you to go and meet the Géro team in the store to see the latest from Ski-Doo and Can-Am Off-Road. Follow us during the season to learn more about the test of this snowmobile.
