Submitted By: jgalvin on 2008-07-18
About the video: Arctic Cat is boldly stepping into 2009 - 13 new models, ranging from a thousand-class UTV and 2-up cruiser down to new options for young riders. ATV Magazine Publisher John Prusak came back from Cat’s hometown dealer meeting with an exclusive sneak-peak. What’d you see and ride, John?

Most years, any given factory will unveil a machine or two that will whet the appetite of ATV journalists. For 2009, though, Arctic Cat is rolling out exciting new machines from the very top to the very bottom of its lineup.

Let’s start at the top – Arctic Cat engineers took the 1000-class V-twin unveiled last year in the Thundercat and placed it in the Prowler chassis, creating the mega-powerful Prowler 1000 XTZ. We had a brief chance to take this buggy for a spin, and the only word we’ve got for you is “WOW!” From the first push on the gas pedal, you know you’re in something special. And, like in the Thundercat, Cat engineers slightly lowered the Prowler XTZ ride height to match this new powerband.

The 951cc twin was also placed in a two-rider ATV chassis for 2009 with the new TRV 1000 Cruiser. It looks like our reigning ATV Of The Year, Polaris’ Sportsman Touring, already has stiff competition from this full-featured machine. It has hand warmers, a storage case, a tall windshield, mirrors and other touring amenities.

For middleweight buyers, Cat rolled out a new 550-class, single-cylinder engine and placed it in several models, including a Prowler 550 Flatbed, a 550 4x4 and a two-passenger TRV 550. It’s part of a new 550 class that’s exploding onto the ATV scene.

Perhaps the most notable machine, however, is the new Arctic Cat 150 2 by 4. It has a mid-sized chassis aimed at riders age 14 and up, and is the industry’s first entry in a new “transitional” market for riders too big for the 90-class machines but too small for a full-sized four-by-four. It’s a great idea, and this is a really nice machine.

We’ve got full information on all of these models in the upcoming September issue of ATV Magazine, which mails within the next two weeks.

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