Arctic Cat 2016 Mountain Snowmobiles Lineup
The Arctic Cat 2016 reveal has some really exciting changes to the chassis and drivetrain of the mountain sled lineup.
Chassis
The front-end has been redesigned, with a shorter upper A-arm and new spindles. The shorter A-is a result of a significantly increased spindle castor angle (by 10 degrees). The new spindle is narrower, designed to reduce drag in snow during carving and sidehilling manoeuvres. And it looks way way cooler too! Altogether, the new setup sheds 2.4lbs off the front-end.
Increased canter on the spindles means they line up nicely with the body panels for smooth sidehilling.
Lighter spindles designed to cut through snow better, and look rad!
Also up front, the stock ski stance has been narrowed to 36″ making it easier to lay on its side and squeak through more narrow holes in the trees. The stance can be further fine-tuned via a set of spacers that allow it to be changed down to 34″ or up to 38″ wide.
Limited edition 2016, showcasing the new 36″ adjustable ski stance.
A new ProClimb 7 ski tapers from 7″ wide up front to 6.5″ mid-ski which helps with float. The keel has been changed as well to help with steering on the trail.
A new 7″ tapers ski should really help with floatation.
The skid receives a Float-Action suspension in 141″, 153″ and 162″ track lengths that is designed for better ride comfort in all conditions and more consistent track-tension throughout the range of compression. The initial rise of the rails in changed to provide better flotation, and the setup increases front arm travel with a 12.5″ front shock replacing the 2015 11.25″ shock.
A lighter skid with more travel, better float, and even track tension at all stages.
Sno Pro 2016 M Series sleds come with Fox Float 3 adjustable shocks at every point, while the Limited editions are decked out with Fox Evol shocks. Standard coil-over shocks are available on the base model.
Fox Evol shocks make it onto the spring order only Limited models.
The PowerClaw track comes with either 2.25″ or 2.6″ paddles in 141″, 153″ and 162″ lengths. An exciting addition is a 3″ lug PowerClaw track that comes on the Sno Pro Limited 153″ and 162″ track models. The track itself weighs 3.5lbs lighter than a 2.6″ track from 2015. How do they do that??
Gone is the sloppy adjustable steering post, replaced with a fixed vertical steering post that is lighter.
Drivetrain
The solid, 160 horsepower M8000 powerplant remains the same, despite rumours that a new direct-injection engine might be on the horizon.
However, putting that power to snow is a different story. TEAM clutches, which have previously been a popular aftermarket modification for Arctic Cat riders, are now on most 2016 models. These clutches are serviceable, more durable, and run cooler, thereby eliminating what has been an issue in the past with Cat clutching and belt temperatures.
Stock TEAM clutching?! Yes!
All-in, it’s been a very exciting reveal of the Arctic Cat 2016 mountain sleds, and we can’t wait to see how they perform on snow! Visit http://ca.www.arcticcat.com/snow/sleds/ for more info!
Thanks to Aaron Bernasconi of Mountain Motorsports in Golden, BC for the insider photos. See Aaron to sign up for one of these bad boys… and tell him Mountain Sledder sent ya!
PS Arctic Cat purchased the Motorfist brand of outerwear! Watch for some kitty green next year!
