ARCTIC CAT 2005 Lineup and info, UPDATED INFO * FEB 19 * Options

[Spenc]

Looking like a late night here. Should have pics by 1-2am for you on the new 2005 lineup.

7-10pm is Welcome Dinner and Product Unveil for Dealers, but that's Reno Nevada Time

ALL FIRECAT'S with the exception of the SaberCat's are to come out with DIAMOND DRIVE ( we heard this over a month ago, so we'll see how this plays out tonight)

CAT has a new 1000cc mill to compete with the soon to be released MACH Z . Whether they put it in a new chassis or use it for their extended Moutain Cat lineup we'll soon find out

INFO AND PICS BELOW

[mrpolaris18]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........I can't wait. I can't wait I tell ya! Think I need a Valium

[DangerousDean]

what time eastern ??

Yes.... 1am eastern
Spenc

[mrpolaris18]

Should be Dean

[DangerousDean]

hmm so 11:30 for me :hallo1:
cant wait :)


ps: snowmobile forums are cool... never really knew there was any till about 3 days ago haha , only went to bike forums

[mrpolaris18]

Where you at Dean

[DangerousDean]

Where you at Dean

im in canaba ... alberta
pretty far west and pretty far north haha

[Spenc]

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[Spenc]

From MaximumSled

It has been a busy year up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The Cat engineering team has been installing and calibrating new drive lines in all of the Firecats, as well as testing new suspension packages. In Idaho, the location of Cat’s mountain test and development center, the crew has been even busier, readying yet another new platform for the steep and deep aficionados. All-in-all, there is plenty of the good new stuff for nearly all segments this year. First we’ll outline some of the technology developments going into multiple platforms and then we’ll do a quick outline of the lineups. Here we go…

ACT Drive

The new ACT Drive will be found on a number of models next season. The planetary gear system debuted this winter on the ZR 900, with nary a hiccup in performance. Cat reps told us that they are continually developing gear combos for the tuning crowd. Benefits derived from the ACT Drive include less weight and a slightly more efficient transmission of power to the track. Additionally, the brake rotor is mounted directly to the drive axle, so there will never be a situation where the track cannot be slowed or stopped due to a catastrophic failure elsewhere on the drivetrain.

Underhood Soundproofing

The Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) lab has produced its second major sound-reducing component for snowmobilies: a solid foam liner for under the hood. The new liner helps to reduce the amount of underhood sound emissions. In addition, it improves the fit quality of the hood itself.

Springless Shocks
Some sleds will carry the new Fox FLOAT shocks on the front suspension. The new units use an air spring instead of the steel coil springs traditionally found on sleds. The Fox unit is completely adjustable by using a small hand pump that comes with the sled. Not only does the new shock look trick on a sled, it worked very well on our initial test ride and it shaves about five pounds from the front of the sled.

Three-wheel rear axle
Sabercats and Firecats will all run a new three-wheel rear axle in 2005. The new setup puts a wheel on the outside of each rail with one in the middle. It will help carry the track better than the two-wheeled setup on last year’s models.

OK, so those are the major multi-sled improvements for 2005. Now let’s take a quick look at what's new and exciting in each segment.

High Performance
Despite its initial season’s struggles, the Firecat platform has been a resounding success for Cat. The combination of lightweight chassis, dependable and functional suspension and exceptionally potent powerplants has made the Firecat a sled to be reckoned with on the lake and on the trail. With that said, the Firecats will carry a few new features aimed at making it even lighter, better suspended and more comfortable to ride.

All Firecats will use the ACT Drive. They will also have the soundproofing foam installed under their hoods. Out back, the three-wheel axle is standard fare on all F-Cats.

A new seat can also be found on the Firecats. The new butt pad is taller, firmer and generally aids in better ride posture for the long haul. With the new posture comes a whole new feel to the sled. This all means a better view of the trail and have easier body inputs from the new perch.

The engine packages remain the same for the 2005 Firecats: 500 carb, 600 EFI, 700 carb and 700 EFI. Sorry sportsfans, those rumors were just rumors.

There are three packages available for the Firecats this year. The standard setup sports a 128x1-inch track and ACT shocks all around. The EXT package offers a 144x1.25-inch track with ACT shocks as well. Finally, the Sno Pro package is a spring-only model with the fox FLOAT shocks up front and a 2-inch rear torque arm shock on the rear suspension. The Sno Pro also spins a 128x1.375-inch track.

The ZR 900 and ZR 900 EFI both return to the lineup with their ACT Drive and 150 hp 900 Suzuki twin. Both models also come in a Sno Pro package, which includes a 121x1.375-inch track and remote reservoir shocks.

Mountain

The Mountain segment is the subject of lot of talk in 2005. The brand new M-Series chassis is a direct descendent of the F2 Firecat chassis, but aimed specifically at the steep and deep application. The M Class sleds come in roughly 30 factory pounds lighter than last year’s lightweight 1M machines, or in the upper 460s dry.

The M Class uses a standard 15-inch wide Attack 20 track design for flotation and snow traction. The narrower 13.5-inch track tends to chainsaw its way through powder instead of pulling the sled up on plane. To keep weight low, however, the chassis has a 16-inch wide tunnel, so it will still feel narrower than the 1M models.

All the favorite Firecat engine options are available in the M Class: 700 EFI, 600 EFI and a 500 carb (minus the exhaust valves and pipe temperature sensor). To adjust for the powder packing possibilities associated with mountain riding, Cat’s team completely redesigned the hood and air intake system. The M Class sleds will draw their fresh air from up near the headlight instead of the beak found on the Firecats.

With the new hood design comes a new bellypan. The M Class pan features removable side panels so you can get at the clutches and the brake without a hassle.

Other key highlights on the M Class machines include the ACT Drive, new flat foot holds with heated running boards, and a new tall, skinny seat with an adjustable or removable seat bun. Finally, the days of parabolic skis are over. Cat has a new set of saddles, deep keel powder skis for the new machine.

The M5 will spin a 15x141x1.6 track. The M6 comes with either 141 or 153-inch lengths and 2.25-inch lugs. The M7 is available in 141, 153 ad 162-inch rugs with 2.25-inch lugs.

Spring buyers will have an option on an M7 Limited, which comes in King Cat Orange and offers the Fox FLOAT shocks up front. It is only available in the 162-inch configuration.

Not to be left out in the cold, the King Cat returns with its standard and EFI 900 twin under the hood. It will come standard with the Fox FLOAT air shocks on the font end. The big hill climber will also have the 162-2.25 Attack 20 track.

Trail Performance

The Sabercats come back with their rider-friendly comfort suspension packages. The Sabercats are aimed at the rider who wants all of the lightweight chassis benefits of the Firecat without the ditch-pounding suspension calibration. All Sabercat packages come with the new three-wheel rear axle and a new saddleless plastic ski with dual offset carbides. They also carry RydeFX shocks on the AWS-IV front and the front torque arm of the rear suspension. The rear track shock is an ACT position sensitive unit for a plush ride on most of the trail, with the ability to get stiffer on the big nasties.

Sabercats come in 500, 600 EFI and 700 EFI engine options. They also come with three levels of options: the base model, LX, with remote electric start on the EFI engines and reverse and then the EXT package with a 144x1.25-inch track.

New to the Trail Performance segment this year is the T660 ST. The turbo-charged four stroke sled is rated at 110 horsepower. It is outfitted with a set of performance-minded ACT IFO gas chocks on the front suspension with an ACT position sensitive shock and a RydeFX shock on the rear. It also uses the ZR seat and handlebars for a more sport-minded ride position than the standard T660 platform. Rounding out the performance-oriented features on the ST are wide running boards and mid-size chrome windshield. It is all packed up in a red with white rally stripe graphic treatment.

Touring

This is not the Touring segment’s year for upgrade at Arctic Cat. The Pantera and T660 sleds return with the removable queen seat, flip-over fiberglass overload springs and all the comfy features found on the 2004 models. The only thing to change in this segment is the elimination of the 800 EFI version. Consumers will have the 660 Turbo edition or the 600 EFI two stroke to choose from.

Likewise, the Panther 570 fan-cooled sled returns to the lineup with only color and decal changes for 2005.

Intro Class

The fan-cooled sleds remain in the ZR chassis this season. You can choose from 370, 440 or 570 engines, with or without electric start and mirrors.

Utility

The Utility segment has a cool new feature available on the Bearcat WT. The four stroke-powered sled comes standard with all the mounting locations for Cat’s unique MultiRack Platform (MRP) from the ATV line. You can choose from a wide variety of specialized rack accessories to hold items like a solo ice house, chainsaw, rifle, fishing pail or cooler.

The Bearcat 570 will come with additional tie-down points on its rack.

Kids

Finally, the ZR 120 will be available in either Team Arctic Green or hot red in 2005.

Spring Choices



Arctic Cat has set a tradition of offering an assortment of graphic packages during the spring buy season. This year, you can choose from the Team Arctic package, Black Widow, Joker or Legend schemes on your Firecat 600 EFI, 700 or 700 EFI.

[Spenc]

Underhood sound proofing

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[Spenc]

:o

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[Spenc]

New Springless Shocks

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[Spenc]

New Mountain Graphics in Firecat Body

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[mrpolaris18]

Screw my buddy's F6. Me buying that orange Sabercat

[Spenc]

New SaberCat.... notice it still has the springed shocks?

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[mrpolaris18]

I screwed up. Too late for me here. I meant that F7. Man that is the best lookin sled out there. So far looks like I'm jumpin the fence to AC

[Spenc]

:P

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[mrpolaris18]

Dunno about that one. Reminds me of the Vintage ones with that stripe package

[Spenc]

:o This is the JOKER graphic package. Again, springs on the shocks? Appears some have them, some don't. Must be an option.
Only thing we're missing is the TEAM ARCTIC graphics pics

All I can say is with this lineup without an F9, that new MACH Z is going to be KING next season!

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[mrpolaris18]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^That one supposed to be the "Joker"??? That's sweet as well Way to go Spenc! Good catch on the pics and info Notice the cross hairs graphics on the Mountain. Same as on the other 05 pics posted here. They WERE legit! Wonder why no F9???? Wonder also why they chose a "Joker" with the cards and everything?

[byoffcr]

KoolMan for the first time since 1969 I will not buy 2 new cats. Not even 1 worst line up I have ever seen. I will buy all 5 new sleds to try out but NO Cat.

[Spenc]

mrpolaris18 -Looks like the "JOKE" is going to be on CAT, because with this lineup there's going to be alot of people jumping over to rider forward and that BIG NASTY MACH Z 1000

and I agree T may keep the 03 we'll see Mach Z? May-Be

( "somebody stop me" )

[mrpolaris18]

You're right there guys comparing them to Doo. They're gonna hurt. Ya gotta admit though that orange F7 looks way 2Kool tho graphics Not being bias but I want to see what Poo brings out with that new 900. They're being released day before Doo

[byoffcr]

2 in my shed for a start.

[Spenc]

Easy T... now don't be make'n us normal 'foke' feel bad. Just because you struck it rich with your worm farms doesn't mean you can 'rub in' the good life

and I do like a few of these Firecats, but nothing here has the impact that MACH Z did.

[byoffcr]

That being rich is a bunch of BS. I,m just a better thief than you and can file the serial no.s off better so stick that in your poor mans crack pipe and smoke it :rofl :rofl

[adrenalator8]

Well there are some really trick things coming for cat next year.
Some really wild paint and a new chassie,but I do have to wonder what the heck cat is thinking with air assist
shocks?????
Just think about it your out riding on a nice warm day and you pump up those shocks for some heavy riding, and over the course of the day it drops to 20- and the shocks freeze,boom the bottom blows out of them.
I tried air shocks 20 years ago and they are not the best for winter driving.

Oh and Spence

The king is dead! Long live the king

[Spenc]

I think the thought is there that you take the mini hand pump with you and adjust to trail and temperature changes as you go. Sounds like there'll be a clip somewhere to snap that pump into.

As far as the Diamond Drive in the F7's, that's not a big deal. Notice how Cat is now saying "slight increase" is efficiency, as opposed to the "huge" increase in efficience that the DD developers were quoted as saying before it reached the market last year in the ZR900? As mentioned previously we haven't met or read about anyone who's actually happy with the Diamond Drive. Actually most guy's would prefer the the tradition chain drive as you can work with it easier.

Again, 'if' BOMBI brings the rumored Z, they'll TKO everything!

[byoffcr]

Its no RUMOR ,Its as real as 2Kool

[mrpolaris18]

Has anyone seen or found any of the sleds with the Team Arctic graphics yet? Must be saving those ones for last :o