All totaled, Arctic Cat eliminated 9 machines for 2009, including the 700 Diesel, 400 4X4, two DVX models (400 & 250) and two TRVs (650 & 500), while creating 13 new models.

Prowler Line Expands
The popular 951cc Thundercat motor and a new 550-class single take Arctic Cat’s Prowler UTV lineup and expand it in two directions.

The Thundercat engine goes in the new Prowler XTZ 1000. To handle the extra horsepower and provide a boost in stability, Cat engineers lowered the ride height slightly on the XTZ. It still offers an impressive 10 inches of ground clearance (vs. 12 inches on the Prowler XTX 700 H1 EFI), and 10 inches of front and rear travel.

Plus the XTZ looks awesome, thanks to a sunset orange paintjob and fashionable (but not functional) hood scoop.

The other new model is at the bottom of the lineup, the work-oriented Prowler 550 H1 EFI Flatbed. As the name implied, it has a 550-class engine, plus a flatbed instead of a box.

The Prowler XTX 700 H1 EFI and Prowler XT 650 H1 return largely unchanged.

TRVs For Two
For front-to-back 2-Up ATV riders, Cat is expanding its TRV Cruiser line while tweaking the engine options on the standard TRVs.

There are two Cruiser models for 2009 – a TRV 1000 H2 EFI Cruiser featuring the Thundercat’s big 90 degree twin, and the TRV 700 H1 EFI Cruiser featuring Cat’s 700-class fuel injected single.

They have a long list of standard features that includes a tall windshield connected to a new 2-piece fairing; mirrors; a cup holder; a comfortable 2-up seat with heated hand grips and a comfy backrest for the passenger; heated handlebars; a huge, lockable touring/storage case in back; and classy looking, 12-inch machined aluminum wheels.

The other two 2-up ATVs are the TRV 550, featuring Cat’s new engine, and a TRV 400, featuring a 366 air-cooled single. The standard TRVs don’t have quite as long of a list of standard features as the Cruisers, but still make nice 2-up buggies, thanks to an expanded wheelbase and nice seating setup.

MudPro
Cat is dramatically reaching out to the mud riding market in 2009 with its new 700 H1 EFI MudPro.

The MudPro is far more than a name and cool graphics. It’s got multiple features that make it ready for the soupiest, sloppiest sink holes around. Starting from the ground up, it rides on giant, 28-inch High Lifter Outlaw MST tires mounted on 12-inch machined aluminum wheels. They attach to a raked suspension that features 14 inches of ground clearance.

Most notable at a glance, however, is a high-water snorkel that sucks in air higher than the handlebars. It also comes standard with front and rear bumpers, wide fenders and a 3000-pound winch “for pulling the other guys out,” a Cat official quipped.

The clutching and 4.0 gearing on the machine are specifically setup for mudding, Cat officials said.

Don’t Forget The Youngsters
Cat’s other class-breaker is the all-new 150 2x4. For years, riders and some factory officials have complained that there aren’t any machines for teenagers who are too big for a 90 but not old enough for a full-sized utility quad – in fact, all factory warning stickers tell owners that their full-sized quads are for ages 16 and up only. But sticking a 180-pound 15-year-old on a 90 is ridiculous.

Finally, after the manufacturers worked with the Specialty Vehicle Industry Association, a class was created for these “tweeners” or, as Cat called them, “transitional riders,” and the first model released for them is Cat’s 150.

It features a smallish chassis, smaller than the 200s and 250s on the market, yet notably larger than the 90s. Its 149cc KYMCO-built engine is twice-governed through the CVT transmission. In stock form, it’ll top out at about 20 mph. Remove one spacer, and it’ll reach up to 30 mph. Remove both spacers, and the climbing belt will allow the machine to max out at 38 mph.

The machine comes with twin headlights and taillights, digital instrumentation and forward and reverse gears, and it weighs in at a claimed 334 pounds.

The DVX lineup changed significantly. Cat officials dumped both the Suzuki-based DVX 400 and the KYMCO-based DVX 250 and settle on a DVX 300. It’s closer in substance to the 250, features a dual overhead cam, 270cc that’s got the same bore as last year’s 250, but with a longer stroke and two additional valve (now 4).

A dual A-arm front suspension and swingarm in the rear handle the moguls, with new shock calibrations and adjustable preload up front. Power is put through a CVT tranny.

Cat also expanded its kids quad lineup with 90cc sport and utility machines.

Reprinted with permission from ATV News.