This year BRP again shows us how they are still running at wide open throttle. From new models to new technologies, the way we ride will (again) never be the same. At the top of our list for 2022 is the world’s first semi-active snowmobile suspension – Smart-Shox. This technology takes handling, riding comfort and pitch control to levels never before seen as digital control and instant adjustment becomes reality. The power-hungry trail crowd gets a 180-horsepower jolt as Rotax brings two new 4-stroke turbo power packages to life, the second version being for more trail friendly performance at 130 horsepower. Deep snow riders will see riding abilities pushed ever further with suspensions designed to hold tighter lines with less effort in the most difficult technical conditions. Plus, there’s expansion of wildly successful features and models introduced last year.
At the top of the food chain we see the return of the legendary Mach Z. Lake racers and speed freaks take note, this machine is returning for a very limited time – if you want one, the ONLY time to get one is right now before March 31st. Period. Then it’s gone, forever. Far more than a lake racer, it returns with features that thoroughly modernize and redefine what a muscle sled is. Starting with the NEW 180-horse Rotax 900 ACE Turbo R, each feature has been chosen and refined to deliver on the Mach Z performance promise including Smart-Shox semi-active suspension, lowered ride height, a 137” x 1.25” 2-ply RipSaw II track and the 7.8 -inch wide LCD Color Display. Far more than simply a speed machine, this is well-rounded and mind-blowing – like 0-60 in only 2.4 seconds fast!
Where last year only a few select models got the new rMotion X rear and RAS X front suspension, the rMotion X, RAS X and the Pilot X (and TX) skis expand across most Ski-Doo trail models for 2022. Having earned a stellar reputation for cornering, capacity and comfort these components combined with the REV Gen4 platform deliver unbeatable ride and handling quality.
We also see the Renegade Enduro and Grand Touring models getting the rMotion X but with ACS (Air Controlled Suspension).This is a one-two punch that many trail riders are going to love. Adding Air Controlled Suspension (ACS) to the rMotion X gives riders of sleds equipped with it the best in comfort and capacity as it allows easy on the fly preload adjustment with the push of a button on the handlebars.
Here’s another change that riders, or dealers, are sure to appreciate. All sleds will come from the factory accessory-ready with LinQ mounts already installed on the tunnel. One set of mounts for 129-inch tunnels, two sets of mounts for 137-inch and longer tunnels. Each model will instantly be ready for easy installation of Ski-Doo LinQ accessories, from a popular Fuel Caddy to cargo bags to accessory racks, plus more.
2022 Trail Models
With the introduction of the Smart-Shox technology, MX Z X-RS and Renegade X-RS models can be ordered with this new technology. MX Z TNT models are now fitted with the RAS X & rMotion X package with Pilot X skis. The Renegade X-RS comes in your choice of 850 or the new 180 HP ACE Turbo R, which is also offered on the Renegade X, Renegade Enduro and Renegade Adrenaline. The Enduro and Adrenaline can also be purchased with the new 130 HP ACE Turbo, and of course all get the rMotion X and RAS X package with new Pilot skis. In fact, the Renegade Enduro and Adrenaline are now offered in five engine choices! That’s 850 and 600R 2-stroke, and then all three of the 900 ACE engine packages; the 95 HP 900 ACE, 130 HP Acxe Turbo and 180 HP Turbo R!
A significant model for 2022 is the Renegade X-RS 600R with Competition Package. This is the official Ski-Doo cross country race-ready sled, now available to everyone for spring ordering! Key features include a 2-ply RipSaw II track, KYP PRO 40mm shocks and a reinforced rMotion X rear suspension. It’s not a stiff calibration, rather a reinforced chassis version of the X-RS with the 600R engine, something many of us have been asking for.
Want more snowmobile content like this? Subscribe to SnowTech Magazine starting at just $15 a year
2022 Summit Models
Ski-Doo Summit models continue to evolve and progress. The introduction of the E-TEC Turbo 850 last season took riders to all new heights. Proven reliable and consistent, this engine package continues its momentum into 2022 as those who didn’t buy one last year are already lining up to get their for next year.
When it comes to the Summit X with Expert Package, changes make tight tree riding on steep slopes even easier. The ski stance has been narrowed to 34 inches (34-36” adjustable) making the sled ultra agile and easy to influence. Experienced riders will know just by hearing about the change what it means to their days on snow. Riders will notice it takes less lean angle to balance the sled in all snow conditions and provides a wider sweet spot to stay on a rider’s chosen line.
The remainder of the Summit line continues to utilize the adjustable 36-38” ski stance. The lightweight hood expands to all Summit X models, making the normally aspirated versions some of the lightest deep snow Summits available. Combined with lighter springs front and center the Summit X models are now six pounds lighter than last year.
Slotting into the Summit line-up between the SP and X models is the new Summit Edge that will be available all season. It can be ordered during the spring or purchased in season. This new model is aimed at offering a more premium in-season offering for Summit buyers. It features the short tunnel design, SHOT starter, lightweight and compact seat plus a hood that offers storage. It also features more color choices with the unique wrapped side panels.While it may not have all of the premium features of the Summit X, Expert or Freeride models, it has the most important ones to make it just as capable in steep and deep mountain terrain.
We had opportunity to ride the Summit Edge and we were surprised just how much we liked it. Ride quality was excellent in rough terrain and in the deep snow and tight trees it was extremely playful. We believe this model will become one of the top selling Ski-Doo Summit models as it is the first in-season model to come with SHOT start and the short tunnel. This is probably the best value in mountain sleds this year, giving us the most performance for the least $$$.
2022 Ski-Doo New Technology
Smart-Shox Semi-Active Suspension
Imagine a suspension that is controlled by a computer that is monitoring not only the action of the shock but multiple vehicle parameters. Instead of you turning dials and setting shock calibrations, the sled does it all for you. All you do is tell it how sporty you want to be that day. Smart-Shox technology does exactly that. It takes suspension performance to undreamed-of levels for handling, comfort and capacity. Developed jointly with the shock experts at KYB, this complete system brings snowmobile chassis dynamics into the high-tech world by controlling both compression and rebound damping as you ride. It controls chassis dynamics like pitch, roll, anti-dive, suspension squat during acceleration, anti-bottoming/landing control and anti-topping out. This enables ultimate control over the sled in every riding situation – from shock compression and rebound in the deep moguls, to optimized chassis reaction in those launch-off-the-line “friendly” drag races. Best of all – it’s automatic and instantaneous, no more twisting knobs to find that sweet spot, the system does it for the rider. There are three modes available with the console mounted switch: Comfort, Sport and Sport+.
The Smart-Shox control unit reads five chassis sensors for shock position (length), shock direction, shock acceleration, shock velocity and steering position, plus other parameters like engine RPM, RPM rate of change, throttle position, vehicle speed and braking. The control unit reads the sensors and sends signals to the shock solenoids every millisecond to calibrate shock damping that delivers the desired ride characteristics. Being able to adjust quickly is key; changes on the compression side happen between 20 – 28 milliseconds, while the rebound adjustments are from 22 – 34 milliseconds long.
* The three shocks (both fronts and the rear) are connected to and controlled by the same control unit, but are adjusted 100% independently.
* Front shocks each have their own sensor for position, speed and direction (compression/rebound).
* Rear shock requires two position sensors, one on the front arm and one on the rear arm, to determine position, speed, direction and rail angle.
By monitoring all the parameters Ski-Doo engineers now have more ability to control chassis dynamics with less compromise and better performance in all situations. Not only do we get a much broader performance window, we also get incredibly flat cornering from the system. We’ve been able to do some pretty extensive riding with several models fitted with this system and can verify the capability. It is smoother in the chop while also more capable in the rough. That we expected. What we didn’t expect was the improvement in handling with reduced body roll and increased cornering confidence. If you thought the rMotion X was good, then prepare to be blown away at how good it works with Smart Shox capability. The three-position switch allows you to move the performance window higher or lower, which is cool, but the window is so broad to begin with you might find yourself leaving it at the Sport mode. This system is the real deal.
180 HP Rotax 900 ACE Turbo R
The most powerful engine ever offered in a Ski-Doo snowmobile, the new Rotax 900 ACE Turbo R pushes beyond the 900 ACE Turbo it replaces by delivering a “holy #%$” 180 horsepower punch. The Turbo R makes a throaty, aggressive and meaner sound than any 900 ACE you’ve ever heard. The exhaust sound itself is aggressive, but when you chop the throttle it makes some strange burbling and popping, perhaps in an effort to sound like it has wild cam timing or trying to mimic a muscle car. Let’s just say it is unusual.
The new 180 HP Turbo R builds on the base architecture of its predecessor but some key components allow it to reach the new output level. Adding larger fuel injectors help increase the power, but also allow for better calibration throughout the RPM range. Further optimizing the intake and exhaust tracts to reduce back pressure was needed before engineers could install a stronger wastegate spring and increase boost to 1,200Mbar (17.4 psi) to reach the 180-HP mark.
The increased power required new, stronger engine mounts to keep everything aligned and increase the life of the drive belt. The pDrive is recalibrated to maximize power reaching the ground, but it’s also getting a new spider and back torque rollers made of Torlon to handle the extra load.
Cable activated throttle for 900 ACE Turbo R
All snowmobiles fitted with the 900 ACE Turbo R will get a new cable activated throttle designed to better match the high performance rider’s profile. Featuring a longer throw throttle lever travel and a direct feel, it will be much easier to modulate in bumpy conditions and be less sensitive. The system actually still uses the electronic iTC control block that’s been relocated down under the airbox, and has three newly calibrated modes to choose from; Eco, Standard and Sport. When you ride the Turbo R you instantly notice the new throttle and your ability to better control the power delivery.
130 HP Rotax 900 ACE Turbo
With the 150 HP ACE Turbo now replaced by the 180 HP version, a gap was created between the 95 HP non-turbo 900 and the 180 HP of the Turbo R. That’s why for 2022 we get another new engine, the 130 HP 900 ACE Turbo. Reworked to be lighter and more efficient the 900 ACE Turbo now delivers a just-right 130 horsepower to fill a market sweet spot for many 4-stroke fans – especially those looking to upgrade from a 900 ACE. By adding bigger injectors, removing the intercooler and slightly decreasing boost, Rotax and Ski-Doo engineers have created a great trail engine that rivals the standard 900 ACE for fuel economy, with a turbocharged thrill factor and better handling in every model configuration where used. There’s also new iTC calibrations that further refine throttle response for a smoother and more consistent feel.
To get a lighter feel and truly drop weight, Rotax engineers removed the intercooler – a 4 lb (2 kg) difference that sits directly over the skis. The package becomes noticibly more playful and easier to manueveur. They also added the larger injectors used on the Turbo R for more consistent calibration and performance, then backed off the boost to 600 Mbar (8.7 PSI) – necessary without the intercooler – in addition to reworking the intake and exhaust tracts for freer flow. Throttle response is more dynamic and easily manageable, it might make you believe it’s powerful than 130hp! Couple this with lighter weight and you get a more pleasant and fun ride.
There will also be stiffer engine mounts and a completely recalibrated iTC system for more linear throttle feel while retaining the three driving modes: Eco, Standard and Sport.
