A rather quiet year for the American manufacturer, can we talk about a marketing strategy? A drop in inventory? Whatever one may say, no one can deny the influence of Japanese thinking on the strategy adopted by Arctic Cat. The schools of thought on how to do things in the snowmobile market are crossing swords, some would say: “The more models you offer, the more customers you attract”, while the Asian mentality is to create a scarcity that pushes the consumer, who is often already won over, to move quickly to get his model.
Notwithstanding the marketing strategy used, one must also have a thought for the dealer network, which often depends on the company’s comings and goings. Those who are financially strong have a different vision than those who are smaller and can’t afford to have inventory sitting in the warehouse. Also, when you look at the new 2020 lines, a large percentage of them are all previous year models with a new look only. However, apart from the visual aspect, the consumer rides an identical snowmobile with exactly the same manufacturer’s warranty whether it is a 2019 or a 2020…
New for 2020… The RIOT
The needs of the amateurs evolve, the market trends vary from year to year. Over the past two or three years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of enthusiasts who occasionally seek out vast expanses of powder to have fun and then return to the trails. Everyone will agree that Arctic Cat had to enter the 50/50 race! In 2020, the American manufacturer will follow suit with a crossover snowmobile, the Riot!
When you say 50/50, you mean uncoupled suspension. The goal is to allow weight transfer for good powder performance without compromising trail riding. Arctic Cat introduces its new CROSS-ACTION rear suspension. It’s a suspension with a 146-inch track, which offers no coupling, leaving a free action between the middle and rear sections, making it easier to work in powder. In plain language, this suspension allows free movement of the central part at all times, which offers better traction in deep snow, facilitating starts and climbs.
Looking at the front, we find the ARS II suspension that is well known on the 600 and 800 versions of the Riot, while the X version is equipped with the suspension used on the M mountain models, the AMS for Arctic Mountain Suspension. The latter features thinner, more rearward-tilted pivot arms, ideal for deep snow.
In terms of engines, we are back in 2020 with the two-stroke C-TEC 2 versions. This semi-direct injection concept has proven itself over the past few years, combining performance and reliability. Without going into details, the two-stage fuel injection is carried out on the top of the piston when it is at bottom dead center, but also under the piston via an opening in the wall of the piston to lubricate the ball bearing of the connecting rod. The two available engines are the 600 CC in the 125 HP category, or its 800 CC sister which swings the dyno at 160 horsepower.
The other interesting factor about the Riot is the skis. The lightweight and streamlined G2 PROCLIMB 7 mountain version offers excellent performance in powder, and provides good trail aggression. The engineers did not forget the importance of being able to adjust the spacing of the skis according to the use, on the Riot version, adjustable between 42 and 43 inches, while on the X version, it is from 39.5 to 41.5 inches.
Powder snow means aggressive driving and jumps, which has major impacts on the running boards and the chassis. But the engineers have foreseen this, they have reinforced the running boards with an extrusion giving them a better rigidity. The stiffer the chassis, the easier it is to calibrate a suspension, and by the same token, make it more efficient!
As far as equipment is concerned, apart from the heated handles and thumbs, the electronically operated mechanical reverse gear and the electric starter, all models are equipped with a luggage rack on the rear tunnel and a storage space for your personal belongings.
Off-Trail
The biggest innovation of 2019 is taking off in 2020! The famous monorail suspension is expanding to several models for the new season, which is sure to please many powder enthusiasts.
M 8000 Alpha One
It could be called the entry-level monorail, the M 8000 Alpha One is powered by the powerful 794 CC C-TEC 2. Two track versions are offered to the consumer: the 154-inch Power Claw or the longer 165-inch version, both with 3-inch lugs. There are internal floating piston gas shocks, adjustable skis from 35.5 to 37.5 inches wide. It is the entry-level model in the mountain snowmobile category.
M Mountain Cat Alpha One
She was the revelation last year at Arctic Cat when she was introduced. It’s back for 2020 with a few small changes. As for the shocks, the QS3 Fox Float is easily adjustable, in the front and middle positions, and in the rear position, the QSL version with a semi-lock allows you to lock the rear shock in order to maintain an optimal angle of attack on the snow. We complete with a goggle storage bag and a tunnel storage bag.
M 8000 Hardcore Alpha One
Designed for the jump and mogul enthusiast, it offers reinforced footboards for extreme conditions. The engineers chose the Fox 1.5 ZERO QS3 with coil springs, in the front and central positions, and in the rear position, a Fox 1.5 also with coil springs in the QSL version that allows the shock to be locked in the extended position to facilitate work in the big powder! Just like its sister, you have the possibility to have the electric starter in option, and two choices of track versions, 155 or 164 inches Power Claw with 3 inches of crampon.
RIP
Many players have been dropped from the line-up for the new season, all 7000 models, equipped with the 1049 cc 3 cylinder naturally aspirated four stroke engine are now a thing of the past. Only one model benefits from the powerful 1000 CC turbocharged engine, the Thundercat. The High Country and Cross Country are also out for 2020… A few other models are also out of the line up like the M SE 6000, M SnoPro 8000 (the whole range).
The Arctic Cat people are reassuring us about the future, they mention that this is a transitional year, a question of selling off inventories… So we will be on the lookout for the 2020-2021 season…
