Arctic
Cat - No-nonsense workhorses
Renowned
as a builder of brash and racy snowmobiles, Arctic Cat takes
a much more conservative tack with its ever-expanding line of
all-terrain vehicles. But while the Minnesota-based company’s
four-wheelers may lack the styling and performance excesses
that make the sport sleds so popular, they make up for it with
solid engineering and clever features.
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| 300
2x4 |
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With the addition of a 250cc 4x4 for 2001, Cat’s eight-machine
line now offers the choice of 2x4 or 4x4 drive in 250, 300 and
400cc sizes—four-strokes all. The flagship 500, meanwhile,
comes with four-wheel-drive operation only, but it’s available
with either a five-speed, foot-shift gearbox like the smaller
Cats, or a belt-drive automatic transmission.
Like its 2x4 cousin, the new 250 4x4 (no fancy model here) rides
on fully independent A-arm suspension front and rear. The ability
of each wheel to react independently to bumps can make for a
smoother ride compared with an ATV with a solid-axle rear end,
though the trade-off can be reduced stability in some circumstances,
such as when side-hilling. Both 250s boast single-lever disc
brakes, full-length floorboard grates, and power from an air-
and oil-cooled four-stroke single with single overhead cam and
two valves.
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| 250
4x4 |
|
Cat’s twin 300s return for 2001 housed in the same fully
independent chassis as the 250s, but with a bit more power.
The 300 4x4 differs from the 250 4x4 in allowing the driver
to switch between all-wheel and rear-wheel operation; it also
features a super-low range as part of its high-low sub-transmission.
Other improvements found on the 300s and throughout Cat’s
2001 line include new guards to protect the front CV boots from
damage by rocks or sticks, a bigger fuel tank with a wider mouth
and newly designed dual-piston brake calipers.
Moving up to the big bruisers, the 400 2x4 and 4x4 are back
with Cat’s ACT rear suspension, which uses twin shocks
so the solid axle can pivot in the middle for semi-independent
operation. Powered by a four-valve, liquid-cooled, 371cc engine,
these workhorses boast the highest combined rack capacity in
their class.
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| 500
4x4 Automatic |
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The 500s ride on the same chassis as the 400s, but offer the
benefit of selectable 2x4 or 4x4 drive. The standard 500 4x4
comes with a conventional five-speed, foot-operated gearbox,
while the 500 4x4 Automatic uses a snowmobile-like, belt-drive
system for shiftless ease of operation. All 500s and 400s have
a start-in-gear feature that eliminates the need to shift to
neutral before starting the engine.
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