It is hard to describe my reaction, even if I tried many times, how I felt when the President of SledMagazine.com asked me to go with him and try out the innovations of next year. Enthusiast, overjoyed, totally crazy… In brief, I am well aware that most of you, our readers, would like to be in our shoes to achieve this task !!! To chat with project managers, engineers, marketing people, and above all, to pilot the prototypes !! Wow !! For a passionate snowmobiler, fond of mechanics and technical elements as I am, it is truly each time a wonderful experience !! The most difficult part of this job is to keep it secret until the embargo is lifted !! But now, it is time to unveil the 2017 Arctic Cat lineup !!
The Arctic Cat team members welcomed us in West Yellowstone, Montana, for the event. They had prepared a special presentation at the Imax Theatre for the unveiling along with some models on the site. Like each season, there were rumors going round since a few days. No need to tell you that there was a rumor about a new 800 H.O. engine manufactured by Arctic Cat. Well, it will not be for 2017. However, Arctic Cat managers did not either deny or confirm this rumor. So, to be followed…
The innovations for 2017…
4-stroke 998 cc turbo!
The 998 cc turbo engine
Right from the drawing table
The biggest hit is without doubt the introduction of a new engine made in Japan !! Here is the latest innovation issued from the partnership agreement with Yamaha, a triple turbocharged engine of 998 cc that develops 180 HP at 8 750 RPM, with three intake throttle bodies. This new engine is 10 lbs/4,5 kg lighter than the Suzuki bicylinder 1100 cc edition !! You will get more details in a specific article to be published about this new engine… After piloting it for a few minutes, we rediscover the Yamaha engine smoothness, but with the power of the good old 1100 turbo, and even more… To be followed.
Side panels and hood…
Fastening anchoring side panel
A glance at the red panel
Cab without panel
To fit with the new engine, there is a new hood and new side panels. Much easier and faster to use, this combination improves air flow inside the engine-cab. The side panels are maintained by two pivoting fixations and when they are removed, all the space is available for working on the elements located on each side. The hood is removable by unlocking two pivoting fastenings, but this time made of metal, and you just need to release a wire connection to take off the hood, about 20 seconds to remove the three pieces and without tools…
LED headlights !
LED headlights on the 9000 models
LED headlights by night
The 9000 models equipped with the new 4-stroke turbo engine, will have new LED headlights for 2017. Much brighter and more stylish, it provides ambient lighting when you turn on the key. On start, low beams are activated and for a better night vision, high beams are added to the low beams for more brightness. Full cool, as would my teenagers say !! But overall, very efficient…
New drive clutch Team Rapid Response II
Drive clutch Team Rapid Response II
Driven clucth Team Rapid Reaction
The oldest ones will remember that many years ago, some drive clutches were offered with a roller ball between the two plates, on the shaft of the pulley in order to prevent the belt from scraping the shaft. Well, it is quite similar to what Team Industries produces with its new Rapid Response II. Similar to a roller ball on the shaft between the two plates, you can forget about the problems you had to adjust the height of the belt ! With this system, the belt always remains extended to its maximum. The driven clutch, having no adjustment anymore for the height of the belt, continuously pushes this one outwards. According to Arctic Cat, clutching efficiency is increased by 12 %, which can be explained by the belt that is always very low in the drive clutch and allows the lowest ratio possible on each start !
For 2017, only the 9000 models will benefit from it, but you can bet that it will be used on many more models in the coming years…
Handlebar and grips…
The new handlebar is lighter and stronger, reduced by 0.5 lb/0,23 kg. Even more interesting are the new grips, more adhesive and with a diameter decreased by 3,7 mm for improved ergonomics !! As the material is thinner, the warmth coming from the heated grip is more perceptible. Simple, but efficient…
2000 Series
New pinion and sprocket wheel
To improve the lifetime of the electric start on the 550F, the pinion is made stronger and also, the sprocket wheel is 8 mm thick instead of 5,3 mm of the previous editions.
6000 and 8000 Series …
New torque control link
The plate between both clutches has been redesigned for models equipped with 2-stroke engines of 600 and 800 cc. Race proven, it is lighter by 0.75 lb/0,34 kg; due to its new design, it can be fixed to the ball bearing hub of the driven clutch with four bolts.
Silencer…
Lighter intake silencer
The lower part of the intake silencer is now made of TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) for a weight loss of 1.3 lb/0,59 kg.
6000…
Old and new starters of the 6000 models
All models with the Arctic Cat 600 cc engine are now equipped with a stronger electric start. The new design of the pinion fastening should improve its lifetime.
8000…
New support of the tune pipe Series 8000
The support of the tune pipe is now similar to the 600 cc models, less vibration and less risk of damage to the tune pipe…
Mountain…
2017 Mountain Cat running board
Always seeking for loss of weight, the Mountain lineup is also modified. The rear part of the tunnel is now made of thinner aluminum, from 0.063 in. to 0.05 in. / 0,160 cm to 0,127 cm. Some modifications brought to the front part have also reduced the weight by 1 lb/454 g.
New running boards are also presented for 2017, 1 in./2,5 cm narrower than the 2016 editions, and the toe clips have been forwarded by 2 in./5 cm.
Mountain Drive System…
Mountain Drive System…
For a better angle of attack in deep snow and a reduced friction with the suspension cradles, engineers have lowered the drive shaft by 1.125 in./2,86 cm in the chassis. With this modification, a 8-teeth sprocket with pitch of 3 in./7,6 cm is now used instead of the 7-teeth sprocket of last year. Less horse power lost…
The latest models !!
Each year, new combinations bring new models. Here are the new 2017 models :
- ZR 3000 LXR with 4-stroke engine of 700 cc
- ZR 5000 LXR 137 with 4-stroke engine of 1100 cc
- ZR 4000 Sno Pro with 2-stroke engine of 500 cc
- ZR RR of 137 in. / 348 cm
XF Cross Country Limited 6000/8000/9000 with BackCountry track of 137 x 1.75 / 348 x 4,4 cm, Fox Zero QS3 shocks, Mountain seat and handlebar
XF 8000/9000 High Country Limited 153
Mountain Cat M 8000 (153/162), Mountain Drive system, new running boards
R.I.P.
Not produced for 2017 :
- All M models in 7000 edition
- All M models in 9000 edition
- XF 7000 High Country Limited
Don’t miss our future articles where some technologies will be more detailed !
