Renegade X 850 E-TEC 2018 End of Season Review
So here we are, my snowmobiling season has come to a fantastic end with a “boys” ride. My season started late because of the bad weather, but I made up for it and loved the pleasure that my snowmobile bestowed upon me during all my outings.
Whether it was during freezing, mild or seasonal temperatures, the Renegade was always able to meet my expectations concerning this model’s performance.
A few times, I ventured off the beaten track, and its behavior in powdery snow impressed me.
In this final article for the snowmobile’s test, I will go over the components and give you my comments on each of the aspects. To finish, I will tell you about the snowmobile’s behavior on-trail and off-trail and, especially, its maneuverability.
Aspects of the Snowmobile
The new REV Gen4 chassis with its elongated style and thin profile proves that it has been designed to perform well on trails. The Ergo Step side panels’ design gives it a stunning look at first glance. It immediately attracts the attention of other snowmobilers. The green color, which appears on several of its components, gives it an attractive style.
Finishing-Quality of Materials and Parts Assembly
BRP did not skimp on the quality of the materials during the manufacturing, and, in addition to this, it is very easy to access the interior of the cabin. Regarding maintenance or access to the components, it has been well thought out by the designers. It is accessible, and you do not lose an enormous amount of time when you want to change a part or make a quick visual inspection before a departure.
It is amongst one of the lightest snowmobiles in the industry, and I noticed it with its on-trail and off-trail maneuverability.
Accessories
All accessories have been well laid out on this snowmobile. Concerning the handlebars, on the left-hand side, we have the thumb adjustment and heated grips, headlight intensity, reverse, brake, access to the time, total mileage, daily ride mileage, and everything is easy to access. On the right-hand side, we have the accelerator and emergency stop.
The glove compartment located near the windshield keeps items, of an acceptable size, warm. The rear-view mirrors are of excellent quality and very well positioned so that the driver can see what is at the back very well.
The addition of LED headlights provides better brightness allowing on-trail obstacles to be seen quickly.
The snow scrappers are an important addition; they send snow onto the slides, which prevents the snowmobile from overheating.
The hand protectors prevent the wind from directly hitting the handlebar and keeps our hands warmer.
Maneuverability
At first, when I got hold of my snowmobile, its look said a lot about it thanks to its thin profile. Its new generation REV4 platform allows the driver to have better mobility on the snowmobile. The more centralized mass, especially from one side to the other, renders the snowmobile even more accessible to drive.
During my tests, I was impressed by how easy it is for the driver to handle the curves with little effort. Also, its 485 lb weight ensures the easy handling of the snowmobile for the rider.
When off-trail, it was easy for me to use the snowmobile well to gain access to difficult areas.
Driving Position
When mounted upon the seat, you immediately feel 100% in control of the snowmobile. It is mainly thanks to the snowmobile’s chassis height and ergonomics.
The non-slip footsteps prevent the pilot from sliding off his snowmobile and stabilize the feet during on-trail and off-trail movements.
Comfort
With all the shock absorbers and suspension, and high-quality components that had already proven themselves, comfort is very evident. There is the usual fatigue, but not to the point of becoming uncomfortable.
The shock absorber and suspension adjustment make this maneuver very easy for its owner with little effort and without tools.
Engine
Last year, BRP launched the new 850cc engine with 165 hp, and it proved its worth according to comments from new owners.
With the Pdrive pulley, that ensures that the engine responds 30% quicker than the 800R E-TEC, it gave me a rather pleasant feeling, and especially during the recovery, what a feeling on-trail! It is not faster than the 800cc, but for a driver, this is not so important, because what we look for is our satisfaction during accelerations, and designers understood this well when designing it.
Regarding gas consumption, for an engine of this power, I find it to be very good. On average, depending on our driving and snow conditions, it is between 13 and 15 liters per 100 km.
For the oil consumption, it is approximately 1 liter per 275 km.
Swaying
With the 5.7 pilot skis, I noticed a little swaying. To remedy the situation, I installed snow-trackers — an accessory that has already proven its worth in the past. They provide better driving stability on-trail, and they are especially more stable when taking on a curve, even on trails with powdery snow. It is a nice addition for the owner.
Driving
An important addition to this snowmobile is the 4-level adjustable handlebar. This allows the driver, during long or shorter drives, to change driving position depending on his preference. For me, changing position during long rides allows me to feel less fatigued at the end of the trip.
As for the driving, the pilot is in perfect control of his snowmobile. It is easy to carry out the on-trail and off-trail maneuvers with all the high-end products that the designers have included on this snowmobile. The driver can feel it immediately when driving.
Suspension
With the HPG Plus aluminum front and central shock absorbers, RAS 3 front suspension, KYB PRO 36 aluminum piggyback rear shock with Easy-Adjust compression adjuster (22 clics) and Rmotion rear suspension, there is no doubt that this snowmobile can provide its owner with great satisfaction. All this makes it more flexible on the small bumps and gives it the ability to absorb the large bumps. When I rode many kilometers in one day, in different trail conditions, I felt less exhausted at the end of the day; just the normal fatigue.
Track
With a 137” x 15” track, the COBRA ICE is studded with 1.6” lugs, which gives a lot of grip on-trail and off-trail. Several people asked me if the snowmobile overheated because of lugs this height, but I never had a problem with this matter during the season. The fact that it is studded is a plus when riding more hardened or icy trails.
Reverse Gear
The reverse is well positioned to ensure that the driver can easily access it. It is very easy and works perfectly; you only need to apply slight pressure, and the deal is done.
Cockpit
The multifunctional indicators with LCD screen are well located to ensure that the driver can see all the functions displayed clearly, both in the evening and during the day. It is easy to adjust while driving.
Special Notes
Regarding this snowmobile, it has been designed to give a lot of satisfaction to an owner who sometimes likes aggressive driving and other times something more relaxed. Another thing that sets this snowmobile apart from the other models is that it is a hybrid; it offers its owner the possibility of having fun in the powder snow when the opportunity permits.
And without a doubt, the 850cc engine, and the power under its hood make this snowmobile a real pleasure to drive, but above all, the acceleration that gives its driver great satisfaction. As the last point, the new generation REV4 chassis, even with a 137” of bridge in curve handling, greatly impressed me for a long bridge.
So, here is my analysis as a test driver. I have shared with you my assessment and above all what a snowmobiler is looking for when purchasing a snowmobile of this kind.
