During the last SnowShoot, Polaris presented several snowmobile models amongst those, the 2023 Polaris Voyageur with the ProStar S4. Finally the return of the 4-stroke for this manufacturer after almost a decade of absence in this important market segment.
The 2023 Polaris Voyageur 146 was one of its snowmobiles to benefit from the new mill while sporting for the first time, the MATRYX platform for this model. After only a few minutes of riding it, I realized that it is probably THE most versatile and enjoyable snowmobile in all conditions from this manufacturer. The team invites you to discover it in detail!
ProStar S4 Engine : The return of the 4-stroke
It’s been almost 10 years since the last 4-stroke engines on the Polaris side. The last one being the FST 750 of 2014. Although Polaris had a good position in the market with its 2-stroke engines, many people would turn around because it was a deal breaker to have such an engine that often required more maintenance. That’s all in the past with the introduction of the ProStar S4 engine for the 2023 model. Thus, several models of the range will be equipped with it.
It’s a safe bet that the name ProStar rings a bell in your ear. Indeed, this engine is a derivative of the one available for the manufacturer’s off-road vehicles. The RZR, Ranger and Sportsman come to mind. Although the basic architecture is shared, many modifications were required in order to offer a mechanic that better matches the reality of snowmobiles. One of the major modifications was to rotate the head and cylinders 180˚. In this way, the exhaust points forward and it is possible to bring the mechanics much closer to the rider. So we manage to centralize the mass and lower the engine as low as possible to keep the center of gravity low. Moreover, Polaris was able to reuse the MATRYX platform without major changes.
The ProStar S4 engine is a 1000cc parallel twin with electronic injection. We get an engine in the 90 horsepower class or so without having precise data from Polaris. An aside for you: The manufacturer has accustomed us to this kind of practice of not revealing official figures at the power level. After discussion with engineers. They explained us that the legal department of the company has decided not to publish official power figures anymore because of past lawsuits. Moreover, the test method used by Polaris does not fit with the other methods used by the competition. Thus, Polaris voluntarily does not publish precise figures. Parenthesis closed!
We agree that this is not a very impressive cavalry when compared to the other 4-stroke engines offered on the market by competitors. We must conclude that Polaris did not want to compete with its own 2-stroke Patriot engines, which offer higher power figures. The 650cc has 130 horsepower and the 850cc has 175 horsepower.
Another interesting aspect is the power range of a 4-stroke engine versus a 2-stroke. In most cases, a 4-stroke engine will be more easily exploitable at low rpm thanks to its quick torque. This is the opposite of what a 2-stroke offers and this is why you often have to push the throttle harder on a 2-stroke to “wake up the power”.
At the moment of activating the throttle, we notice that there is no more cable connected and that we are dealing with an electronic device. At first, I was not thrilled to see this type of system since there is often a delay in response and the “feeling” is not intuitive. However, the engineers did an excellent job with the S4 engine. The throttle reacts surprisingly well and is in symbiosis with the mechanics. The calibration couldn’t be better executed and it feels like the performance is even maximized with this type of system.
Suspensions
As for the suspensions, Polaris opted for the AXYS front geometry that we’ve known for years. At the rear, the suspension geometry is the IGX 146, which works wonders on another well known model, the Switchback Assault. Equipped with IFP (Internal Floating Piston) gas shocks, the Voyageur offers good comfort, noticeable maneuverability and allows the skis to stay flat.
Standard equipment
The Polaris Voyageur 146 is a versatile snowmobile that oscillates between the trail and the backcountry. It has been equipped with the right gear to tackle any situation you throw at it.
First of all, we notice that there is a luggage rack on the tunnel. This one allows you to attach a multitude of items that you want to carry with you. We also find the Lock & Ride quick release system. Thus, you could decide to attach a passenger seat in a few seconds, but also the possibility to get a complete list of accessories such as panniers and many others. In addition, a storage system under the seat is standard.
With aspirations to be able to work, the Polaris Voyageur comes standard with a trailer hitch. So, we note a hinged drawbar low enough to offer versatility, but especially easy towing.
Our test model had two very interesting optional features. The first one, a rear luggage compartment that can hold just enough items to go on an adventure for 2 or 3 days. The second is behind the large standard windshield that offers effective protection against the wind. It’s the addition of the 7S touch screen. This 7-inch screen offers a very clear color image and several very useful functions. With this device, you can access a GPS that also allows you to see your friends in real time. In addition, with the Ride Command application, you can easily record and share your tracks. There is also Bluetooth connectivity so you don’t have to take out your cell phone in very cold weather. We agree that this option is very expensive with an outlay of over $1000, but if you want the best, it’s worth the price charged by Polaris.
Strong Points :
- On l’attendait depuis un certain moment… Le grand retour d’une mécanique 4 temps chez Polaris
- Un modèle polyvalent qui offre une conduite intéressante en sentiers tout comme en dehors des chemins battus
- 2 choix de moteurs bien adaptés en fonction de la performance désirée et également si l’on veut s’éviter au maximum la maintenance.
Areas for Improvement:
- Le son produit par le moteur 4 temps n’est pas aussi excitant que celui du Patriot 2 temps. Il nous rappelle le son d’un quad et nuit un peu à l’expérience sensoriel de la motoneige.
- La fiabilité à long terme reste à être prouvée pour le moteur 4 temps. Cependant, c’est une mécanique qui a déjà fait ces preuves avec plusieurs véhicules hors-route du fabricant.
Conclusion
During the SnowShoot, we had the chance to ride the 2023 Polaris Voyageur 146 with its new ProStar S4 engine for several hours. The whole team greatly appreciated the versatility and comfort of this snowmobile. It has a lot of standard equipment and an intuitive rider-oriented driving experience. All these elements are certainly a guarantee of future success for the 2023 Polaris Voyageur 146. As a bonus, we finally see the return of a 4-stroke engine from this manufacturer.
If you would like more information on the 2023 Polaris Voyageur model, visit the Polaris or your local dealer.
