2024 Arctic Cat Mountain Snowmobiles

Arctic Cat has unveiled its model year 2024 snowmobiles, and they include the much anticipated Catalyst platform models for 2024 Arctic Cat snowmobiles powered by the 600 series engine. This includes the mountain segment, which we’re very excited about!

Mountain Sledder had the opportunity to ride the 2024 Arctic Cat M 600 snowmobiles with next generation Catalyst platform in late February 2023, so stay tuned to our channels for content about our ride impression of the new platform to come soon!

In the meantime, for more insider details, check out our interview with Arctic Cat Mountain Snowmobiles Engineering Manager Andy Beavis, about the development of the Catalyst platform from an engineering perspective.

Here’s a teaser of Mountain Sledder test pilot Sean, riding the 2024 Arctic Cat M 600 Catalyst platform sled in late February. Stay tuned for our ride impression to come!

See below for information released by Arctic Cat about its model year 2024 mountain snowmobiles.

Thief River Falls, MN (February 28, 2023) – Model Year 2024 continues the legacy of the innovative ALPHA ONE™ Single-Beam Rear Suspension which redefined the backcountry riding experience.

In addition to the introduction of the M 600 built on Arctic Cat’s brand-new CATALYST platform, the Mountain lineup includes the M 8000 Hardcore ALPHA ONE and the M 8000 Mountain Cat ALPHA ONE.

Arctic Cat’s full-size mountain models set a benchmark in lightweight mountain performance and maneuverability. The narrow-profile bodywork serves as the hallmark of the Ascender™ platform, aided by the mountain-specific spindle geometry of the lightweight Arctic Mountain Suspension™ (AMS).

The sleds’ 35.5-inch to 37.5-inch stance enables better sidehilling, reduced drag in the snow, and optimal handling.

The models also feature a vertical steering post, 1-inch mountain-height windshield, 11.7-gallon fuel tank, skid frame-mounted ice scratchers and a front-mounted heat exchanger that doesn’t trap snow like the conventional tunnel coolers found on other brands.

Arctic Cat announced today the culmination of years of experience, legacy and innovation with the new CATALYST™ snowmobile platform — a lightweight and centralized platform designed with the rider in mind.

Launching for model year 2024, the CATALYST platform is initially available with a C-TEC2™ 599cc, 2-stroke 600-Series 125-horsepower class engine, and offers snowmobiles spanning the trail, crossover and mountain segments.

In creating the CATALYST platform, Arctic Cat focused on geometry, starting from the snowmobile’s middle and placing heavier components in a more centralized location — with lighter ones on the exterior — for a lower center of gravity. The compact and balanced platform features Arctic Cat’s laydown engine design, with the airbox in front; lighter, stainless steel exhaust that is tightly packed to the engine; a ADAPT CVT system in the middle of the chassis; and a short, narrow, 10.5-gallon gas tank that keeps the ride stable when climbing and ascending.

Along with its rider-centric design, the CATALYST platform is one of the lightest and most durable platforms in the industry. The chassis features a one-piece steel front end, with an aluminum body to provide extra support and durability where needed without unnecessary bulk. Arctic Cat consolidated parts – including fewer plastics, lighter seats, a new intake configuration, use of the ADAPT CVT system, and a new belt-drive system with fewer than half the components of the current system — to reduce weight by 10 percent.

The platform’s low thermal-conductive running boards — a first in the industry — not only help keep snow from sticking to minimize additional weight, but add durability, are easily replaceable, and decrease vibration to the rider’s feet.

The CATALYST platform’s drive system features the ADAPT CVT launched on model year 2022 sleds. The Arctic Cat-built system features a lightweight, narrow design, and an advanced idler system that maintains constant belt tension throughout the ride, resulting in minimized wear and longer belt life. The system also features lower inertia, giving it quicker throttle response for more consistent performance.

Unlike the chain drives on previous models, the CATALYST platform’s drive system is belt-driven, resulting in fewer parts for increased durability. It features an adjustable center distance for multiple gearing options and allows for easier belt replacement.

Along with being lightweight, having the lowest center of gravity and sporting the most balanced ride, the CATALYST platform has improved ergonomics to make the rider one with the sled. Its narrower design with smaller gas tank gives the rider more maneuverabilty to cut around bends and carve through snow. Riders also will appreciate new routing for the new recoil rope, for easier pulling and less rope wear. The ergonomics, coupled with the centralized design, makes for an agile, easily maneuverable sled that minimizes rider fatigue and gives the operator more control.

The platform’s aggressive exterior continues Arctic Cat’s heritage of creating state-of-the-art, eye-catching snowmobiles. Its sleek, aerodynamic and agile look, featuring a unique LED headlight, complements the innovation found inside. Along with its aggressive looks and high-quality fit-and-finish, the toolless design makes it easy to remove body panels quickly to access key components such as the belt, oil reservoir and coolant. Unlike some competitive units, the CATALYST’s one-piece tunnel design makes it easier to replace if damaged.

The platform is featured on all 2024 full-sized, 600-series Arctic Cat snowmobiles, with suspension and steering modifications that are geared towards different riding styles.

Mountain riders will enjoy a drive position that is optimized for flotation, and provides a lower center of gravity for improved climbing, carving and descents. With its centralized and constant center of gravity, the platform works in tandem with the rider, instead of the rider muscling the sled. The design provides less weight shift to and from the skis for a more enjoyable, smooth and agile ride.

Its 36-inch-wide ski stance features a longer lower spindle and shortened top of spindle, for an increased lower A-arm clearance from the bottom of the ski. This new design provides increased belly pan and track driver clearance through rough terrain commonly found in the backcountry. The new spindle steering geometry also provides reduced steering effort for a better ride and reduced rider fatigue.

In the rear, the ALPHA ONE^® suspension on the CATALYST platform features a new front and rear suspension arm shock position for more travel, and reduces load for increased durability and ride quality.

“This is one of the most exciting, cutting-edge platforms we have ever designed in my years at Arctic Cat,” said Troy Halvorson, Director of Product Strategy, Snow.

“The rider has always come first at Arctic Cat, and we took our time to make sure we designed a platform that was above and beyond anything else available.”

600-Series C-TEC2 Engine

The first clean technology Arctic Cat 2-stroke engine, the 699cc C-TEC2 with Dual-Stage Injection (DSI) leads the 125-hp class in performance. It features batteryless EFI; electric oil pump; APV electronic exhaust valves; Engine Pipe Temperature Sensor (EPTS); knock sensor; and engine reverse technology. It’s exceedingly robust and lightweight.

ADAPT CVT System

Arctic Cat-designed drive and driven clutches for increased performance and better serviceability. With a lighter-weight, narrower design, and an advanced idler system, ADAPT maintains constant belt tension throughout the ride — resulting in minimized wear, longer belt life and smoother power delivery at slow speeds. It also features throttle response that won’t fade over time for more consistent performance.

AC M Belt Drive

The new drive system replaces the chain drive resulting in fewer parts for increased durability. It features an adjustable center distance for multiple gearing options and allows for easier belt replacement.

Centralized Design

The narrow, tightly compacted and completely balanced platform features Arctic Cat’s laydown engine design with the airbox in front; lighter, stainless-steel exhaust that is tight-packed to the engine; narrow ADAPT CVT System located in the middle of the chassis; and a short, narrow, 10.5-gallon gas tank that keeps the ride stable when climbing and ascending.

Narrow Body

A narrower design with smaller gas tank gives the rider more maneuverability on the sled. The ergonomics coupled with the centralized design makes for an agile, easily maneuverable sled that minimizes rider fatigue and gives the operator better control.

Durable Chassis

A steel, one-piece front end with an aluminum body to provide extra support and durability where needed without being bulky.

Low Thermal Conductive Running Boards

A first in the industry, the running boards keep snow from sticking to minimize additional weight and add durability, are easily replaceable and decrease vibration to the rider’s feet.

Lightweight

A consolidation of parts and use of lighter components makes for one of the lightest sleds on the market.

Aggressive Styling

An aerodynamic and agile look complemented by a unique LED headlight.

Easy to Maintain

The toolless plastic panels make it easy to remove panels quickly to access key components such as the belt, oil reservoir and coolant.

Optimized Flotation

The drive position is optimized for floatation and provides a lower center of gravity for improved climbing, carving and descents. With its centralized and constant center of gravity, the platform works in tandem with the rider instead of the rider muscling the sled. It provides less weight shift to-and-from the skis for a more enjoyable, smooth and agile ride experience.

New Steering Geometry

The new spindle steering geometry provides reduced steering effort for a better ride and reduced rider fatigue.

Adjustable 36-inch Ski Stance

A longer, lower spindle and shortened top of spindle provides an increased lower A-arm clearance from the bottom of the ski. This new design provides increased belly pan and track driver clearance through rough terrain.

ALPHA ONE™ Single-Beam Suspension

The single-beam rear suspension unlocks more maneuverability than any mountain snowmobile in history. A new front and rear suspension arm shock position provides more travel and reduces load for increased durability and ride quality.

Power Claw™ Track

The Power Claw Track is built lightweight, with a single-ply design and a single row of track windows. Available tracks include a 146-inch with 2.6-inch lug, 154-inch with 2.6-inch or 3-inch lug, and 165-inch with 3-inch lug.

Goggle Holder

Mounted right in the dash for quick access, this integrated goggle holder keeps a key piece of gear safe and sound.

New for model year 2024, the Mountain Cat and Hardcore will share the same chassis. This includes a stronger rear tunnel and grippier tunnel edge roles which were standard on the Hardcore models in model year 2023.

Both the Mountain Cat ALPHA ONE and Hardcore ALPHA ONE are powered by a 165-horsepower class Next-Gen C-TEC2™ 794cc engine, delivering clean Arctic Cat 2-stroke engine performance and technology.

They also feature the Arctic Cat ADAPT CVT that is lighter-weight with a narrower design, and an advanced idler system that maintains constant belt tension throughout the ride — resulting in minimized wear, longer belt life and smoother power delivery at slow crawling speeds. The system also features lower inertia, giving it quicker throttle response for more consistent performance.

The M 8000 models are available in three Power Claw™ track lengths — 146-inch with 2.6-inch lug, 154-inch with 2.6-inch or 3-inch lug, and 165-inch with 3-inch lug. Implemented in 2023, the 3-inch track incorporates is a two-window design in the center of the track that provides more material in the center of the track for more durability. The  M 8000 Hardcore model comes with FOX^® QS3 coil-over shocks for all four shocks while the Mountain Cat utilizes FOX FLOAT 3 QS3 shocks. Both have the option of manual or electric start.

Both models are available in Blue. Accessory kit models include front bumper, handlebar bag and rear storage.

ALPHA ONE™ Single-Beam Suspension

The single-beam rear suspension unlocks more maneuverability than any mountain snowmobile in history.

Ascender Platform

The Ascender Platform brings together an arsenal of innovations that deliver the highest level of backcountry performance and handling.

8000-Series C-TEC2™ Engine

The next-generation 8000-Series-C-TEC2 engine delivers a new level of clean Arctic Cat 2-stroke engine performance and technology. This 794cc C-TEC2 twin features:

• Optimized cylinders, pistons, combustion chamber, flywheel, and fuel rail, all updated in 2020
• Fuel calibration strategy and Arctic Power Valve system with 3-stage control of the auxiliary exhaust ports via side valves, new in 2020
• ECM-controlled electronic oil pump
• Batteryless EFI
• Engine pipe temperature sensor (EPTS)
• Knock sensor
• Engine reverse technology

This advanced new technology designed by Arctic Cat and built in St. Cloud, Minnesota delivers:

• Ultra-clean, more responsive performance
• Enhanced power in the 165-hp class of engines
• Precision oil injection
• Exceedingly robust and lightweight design

ADAPT CVT System

These Arctic Cat-designed drive and driven clutches provide increased performance and better serviceability. With a lighter-weight, narrower design, and an advanced idler system, ADAPT maintains constant belt tension throughout the ride — resulting in minimized wear, longer belt life and smoother power delivery at slow speeds. It also features throttle response that won’t fade over time for more consistent performance.

AMS Front Suspension

The Arctic Mountain Suspension is tailor-made to maneuver in deep snow. The lightweight, forged-aluminum spindles sit at a 27-degree spindle caster angle, providing optimal ski camber for off-trail cornering and more predictable counter-steering when side-hilling. They’re built to reduce drag, while the dual-phase alloy-steel A-arms are lightweight and durable.

FOX^® 1.5 ZERO QS3 Coil-Over Ski Shocks (Hardcore)

A dial mounted on the remote reservoir of these FOX 1.5 ZERO QS3 shocks lets you instantly switch between soft, medium and firm shock calibration to adapt to changing conditions. They utilize a remote reservoir for fade-free performance and coil-over springs to smooth out bumps.

FOX^® FLOAT QS3 Shocks (Mountain Cat)

ALPHA ONE suspension is easily adjustable for ride and intensity with FOX FLOAT shocks: from the three-position QS3 on the ski and front arm, to a semi-locking QSL on the rear, for easy adjustability and maximum deep-snow performance.

Power Claw™ Track

The Power Claw Track is built lightweight, with a single-ply design and a single row of track windows. Available tracks include a 146-inch with 2.6-inch lug, 154-inch with 2.6-inch or 3-inch lug, and 165-inch with 3-inch lug.

Adjustable 35.5-37.5-inch Ski Stance

Easily adjust the ski stance in seconds — keep it wide for the trails or narrow through the trees.

Goggle Holder

Mounted right in the dash for quick access, this integrated goggle holder keeps a key piece of gear safe and sound.

LED Headlight

Ride until the sun goes down — then keep riding, with this premium LED headlight for night riding.

Reinforced Running Boards (Hardcore)

Big air means big impact, which is why Hardcore’s running boards’ edge roll extrusion has race-proven reinforcement for added rigidity.

Push-Button Electric Start

A push of the handlebar-mounted button is all it takes for the convenience of electric start.

All 2024 Arctic Cat snowmobiles will be available for pre-order from March 7 through March 30.

For more information around the MY24 pre-order event, visit a local Arctic Cat dealer, or go to ArcticCat.com and use the new sled builder to visualize different track lengths, colors and accessory choices.

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