Betting On The Future – Big Time
For several years we have been asking for a snowmobile manufacturer to “rebuild the pyramid”.
Since the introduction of the very first snowmobile, technology and capability has progressed and advanced. Slowly but surely, with each passing year the machines became more powerful & faster, fitted with ever improving suspensions and growing lists of standard features. But as this advancement occurred, the sleds got bigger, heavier, more intimidating and more expensive. They became expert machines for expert riders. The number of people truly qualified and able to purchase such specialized equipment slowly got smaller and smaller – the upper end of the pyramid. Since the introduction of the very first snowmobile, technology and capability has progressed and advanced. Slowly but surely, with each passing year the machines became more powerful & faster, fitted with ever improving suspensions and growing lists of standard features. But as this advancement occurred, the sleds got bigger, heavier, more intimidating and more expensive. They became expert machines for expert riders. The number of people truly qualified and able to purchase such specialized equipment slowly got smaller and smaller – the upper end of the pyramid.
At some point you need to start over, go back to where you came from. Somebody has to stop and rebuild the base of the pyramid. Offer a simpler, lower cost machine that isn’t so big, isn’t so intimidating, isn’t so fast, isn’t so expensive. Something for younger and/or less experienced riders to embrace. Something that will appeal to the masses and bring a new group of riders into the sport. But at the same time be fun enough that it can still be enjoyed by all.At some point you need to start over, go back to where you came from. Somebody has to stop and rebuild the base of the pyramid. Offer a simpler, lower cost machine that isn’t so big, isn’t so intimidating, isn’t so fast, isn’t so expensive. Something for younger and/or less experienced riders to embrace. Something that will appeal to the masses and bring a new group of riders into the sport. But at the same time be fun enough that it can still be enjoyed by all.
Smaller, lighter, less powerful, less expensive. But still fun to ride, right? Like, it has to be a total BLAST to ride, right?
Here it is, Arctic Cat’s attempt at building the mythical mid-sized snowmobile. Lighter weight, easy handling and maneuverability are what this is all about, with a size that aims to allow more riders the ability to capture more thrills. We’ve been telling you for years that Arctic Cat was working on something like this and they finally had the vision to make it happen. The 2021 Arctic Cat BLAST snowmobiles. Smaller, lighter, less powerful, less expensive and a BLAST to ride!s latest attempt at building the mythical mid-sized snowmobile. For real, it does exist. Lighter weight, easy handling and maneuverability are what this is all about, with a size that aims to allow more riders the ability to capture more thrills. We’ve been telling you for years that Arctic Cat was working on something like this and they finally had the vision to make it happen. The 2021 Arctic Cat BLAST snowmobiles. Smaller, lighter, less powerful, less expensive and a BLAST to ride!
The BLAST is being positioned as an entry-level option for the customer looking for a sub-$10,000 sled, or for the experienced rider who wants an easier-to-ride snowmobile that is fun to ride. The 2021 BLAST line includes the trail-friendly BLAST ZR 4000 ($7,695), deep snow mountain sled BLAST M 4000 ($8,095) with ALPHA ONE Single-Beam Rear Suspension and sport-utility BLAST LT 4000 ($8,095) mid-size model.
At the heart of the BLAST models is the industry’s first electronic fuel-injected, single-cylinder, 2-stroke engine — the 65+ HP-class C-TEC2 4000. Basically, a 400cc 2-stroke single with fuel injection and a 3-stage power valve – half of an 800 engine. Mated to the smaller and lighter chassis this new package hopes to satisfy riders and will attempt to deliver enough power for the experienced rider, while also having controllable power delivery for a new rider. The models feature an Arctic Drive System now with a CVTech Trailbloc drive clutch and CVTech Invance driven clutch to deliver power to the snow.
To complement the engine, the partially-new, slightly smaller chassis is said to be lightweight at just over 400 pounds (according to Arctic Cat), delivering reduced-effort maneuverability at any skill level. The new, mid-size seat is claimed to “make it simple for the rider to transfer weight when cornering”. To keep the sleds lightweight, Arctic Cat equipped them with the same Arctic Mountain Suspension (AMS) found on full-size mountain sleds, and hydraulic twin tube shocks – front and rear – to provide bump absorption. Nothing fancy here, just good old simplicity.
The BLAST models do feature electric start so the rider can just turn the key and go, no more pulling on a rope like a weed whacker. The vehicles’ digital instrumentation provides standard data, while hand and thumb warmers aim to provide an enjoyable experience in colder temperatures. To work or play all day, the sleds have a generous 11.7-gallon fuel tank. he BLAST models do feature electric start so the rider can just turn the key and go, no more pulling on a rope like a weed whacker. The vehicles’ digital instrumentation provides standard data, while hand and thumb warmers aim to provide an enjoyable experience in colder temperatures. To work or play all day, the sleds have a generous 11.7-gallon fuel tank.
Riders will enjoy much of the same technology found in BLAST’s full-size counterparts, such as the Arctic Drive System and Arctic Mountain Suspension (AMS); the mountain version also features the revolutionary ALPHA ONE suspension system. And with a smaller chassis, these models offer handling that is easy to maneuver and fun to drive.
We’ve been able to ride all three of the versions and can tell you they are truly fun to ride, with performance that exceeds your expectations. They scoot along quite well, even the mountain version at elevation. Top speed is quite impressive, it just takes a while to wind it up. This is by no means a kid-sled, so don’t shoe horn it into that genre. They’re not that much smaller than the full-sized Cats, more of a 7/8 size than a 3/4 size. Just about anyone can hop on and have some fun and not be intimidated. Yes, the shocks are plain jane and the pricing is higher than what most would have expected, but we have to start somewhere. It is amazing that Arctic Cat made the investment and took the risk to build these sleds. Looking towards the future of the sport we hope they do well with it.
The BLAST lineup is designed and manufactured at the Arctic Cat plant in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and the engine is built in Arctic Cat’s St. Cloud, Minnesota engine manufacturing facility. They are being offered for pre-order only, with delivery late summer or early fall of 2021. Contact your local Arctic Cat dealer to order or make a deposit on-line to reserve yours.
Links to all five feature articles on the 2021 Arctic Cat Blast:
Arctic Cat’s Single-Cylinder 2-Stroke EFI Engine
2021 Arctic Cat Blast – First Ride! Betting on the Future – Big Time
2021 Arctic Cat BLAST Power to Weight Ratios
Hit or Miss? The 2021 Arctic Cat BLAST
2021 Arctic Cat BLAST M 4000 – A true Mountain Sled for Anyone.
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