2020 Arctic Cat
Arctic Cat has experienced great success with their Alpha One monorail mountain sleds, and this feature is going to be maximized for being unique and special. That’s why it should be no surprise to see the Alpha One monorail on ALL of the Arctic Cat mountain sleds for 2020.
There are now three Alpha One models to choose from in two track lengths; the M Hardcore Alpha One, the M Mountain Cat Alpha One, and the M Alpha One. Each one is offered in 154” or 165” lengths, all with 3” PowerClaw tracks. The ONLY engine option is the C-TEC2 8000 two-stroke. These are the ONLY Mountain sleds being offered for 2020 from Arctic Cat.
One of the biggest voids in the Arctic Cat line-up for the past five years has been the lack of a true crossover sled. For 2020 we finally get to see the all-new 146” RIOT and RIOT X models, fitted with a torsion-spring Cross-Action 146” rear suspension that combines an un-coupled rear arm with a Slide Action front arm. These sleds are aimed directly at the heart of the popular crossover market.
The RIOT and RIOT X are similar, yet different. The RIOT is more of a trail sled with a lower lug track, the RIOT X is more of an off-trail sled with a deeper lug track. Each one is offered with two shock packages to choose from. All RIOT models are fitted with ProClimb-7 G2 mountain skis, electric start and a tall mountain seat.
The RIOT is being called the “Perfect 50/50 Crossover Machine”. It is fitted with an all-new ARS II Front Suspension, a Laydown Steering Post and your choice of the crossover style Cobra 1.35” or Cobra 1.6” track. The C-TEC2 8000 comes in Green or Charcoal, where the C-TEC2 6000 engine only comes in Charcoal. Shock options depend on the machine color, with Green being the premium package and Charcoal being the standard package. The ARS II Front Suspension has adjustable FOX 1.5 ZERO QS3 ski shocks (Green) or Arctic Cat IFP 1.5 (non-adjustable) ski shocks (Charcoal). In the rear, you get adjustable FOX 2.0 ZERO QS3 rear track shocks (Green) or Arctic Cat IFP 2.0 (non-adjustable) rear track shocks (Charcoal). The RIOT has adjustable 42-43” ski stance (subject to change, we’re seeing two specifications here).
The RIOT X is more off-trail oriented, allowing you to cross over into the steeper and deeper conditions. It is fitted with the Arctic Mountain Front Suspension, a Vertical Steering Post and a Challenger 2.0” (or PEAK 2.25”, we’re also seeing two specs on this one) lug height track with angular lugs. Your only engine choice is the C-TEC2 8000 engine. Once again we have Green and Charcoal shock packages. The Mountain Front Suspension comes with adjustable FOX 2.0 ZERO QS3 coil-over ski shocks (Green) or Arctic Cat IFP 1.5 non-adjustable ski shocks (Charcoal). Both colors come with adjustable FOX 2.0 ZERO QS3 coil-over rear shocks in the CROSS-ACTION Rear Suspension. The RIOT X has adjustable 39.5-41.5” ski stance and an adjustable 39.5-41.5” ski stance.
The ZR portion of the Arctic Cat line-up has been seriously trimmed and tweaked for 2020. We now have far fewer models with the 129” track length totally gone. The 9000-Series turbo only comes in the Thundercat, with or without iACT shocks. The ZR RR only comes with the 8000 engine, but there is a ZR R XC with a 6000 engine (same sled, smaller engine and different name). The ZR Limited comes with or without the iACT shock package in both 6000 and 8000 engine sizes. The ZR Sno Pro comes in both 6000 and 8000 engine sizes. All of these are 137” track length sleds and all come with the new ARS II front end.
Past this, there is only the ZR 120, ZR 200, a single Bearcat XT and a Lynx 2000 in two track lengths. That’s it. Taking a page from Yamaha’s move last year, Arctic Cat has enough of the “other” models in their dealer network so it was time to perform some “inventory correction”. There are no Panteras, no Crosstours, no XFs. There are no M 6000s, no turbo Ms, no 7000-Series models, no Norseman, and of course no 129” ZR sleds. The ONLY 4-strokes left are the two versions of the Thundercat, that’s it. Let that one sink in for a moment. This is serious model reduction, but really, it was getting out of hand.
Textron appears to be quite serious about making Arctic Cat, both dirt and snow divisions, quite profitable to meet their expectations. They’re taking the steps they believe are required to make this happen. They’ll likely make a few mistakes along the way, but they’re determined to make it happen.
Cross-Action Rear Suspension
The new CROSS-ACTION Rear Suspension blends the increased weight transfer of an uncoupled rear arm with the optimal cornering and bump absorption of a SLIDE-ACTION front arm. The result is a playful ride quality, for great performance in all snow conditions.
ARS II Front Suspension
The Arctic Race Suspension II – developed on the racetrack – delivers improved handling, with increased cornering bite and ground clearance. All-new forged aluminum spindles are taller from the ski to the lower A-arm, and new lightweight upper A-arms are more rigid, with revised geometry that delivers a new roll-center and adjustable camber.
Check out the Spring Issue of SnowTech (Early March) for more info on the 2020 Arctic Cats. .Subscribe Here
