Arctic Cat Snowmobiles What’s New For 2025

 Green Machines Up The Ante for 2025…

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Related: Progressive Steering System

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My Introduction

Michel Garneau is back again for his series of posts on What’s New for snowmobiles in 2025. Check out his expert reports for Yamaha, Lynx, Polaris and Ski-Doo. Please note that his observations in this post only relate to “What’s New For 2025” and not to previously existing features. Over to you, Micky…

Over a year ago, the Thief River Falls-based manufacturer of Arctic Cat snowmobiles gave us our first glimpse of their future by launching the all-new Catalyst chassis. It combines familiar elements that have become trademarks of the manufacturer.  These include the lay-down engine configuration and new features such as belt final drive. Plus, more widespread use of composite materials create a new platform that is more compact, lighter and has better mass centralization.

Launching Catalyst only in 600 cc versions last year, a larger engine was sure to follow, a mill adapted to the reality of a market dominated by large displacement twins.  In fact, Arctic Cat presented the new engine, along with a new interactive gauge to the general public at their Hay Days launch in September 2023. Since then, reports have emerged of exciting new technologies and capabilities, promising to take full advantage of the new platform’s prowess, agility and potential. Here’s my overview of what is new with Arctic Cat snowmobiles Cat for 2025.

Arctic Cat Snowmobiles – New Engine

The arrival of of the all-new C-TEC2 858 engine fulfills that promise. The object of a progressive disclosure campaign since its introduction at Hays Days last fall, this new powerplant is not entirely surprising. In fact, Arctic Cat snowmobiles has unveiled many aspects and elements of its built in-house, large-displacement twin, including:

• The 858 has a bore and stroke of 85 x 75.6 mm, delivering precisely 858 cc, which explains its name. For comparison, the 8000 engine it replaces had internal dimensions of 85 x 70 mm and a displacement of 794 cc. Understandably, because of the longer stroke, the crankshaft is slightly heavier than that of the 8000 engine.

• The new mill retains the lay-down configuration that’s been a trademark of Arctic Cat two-stroke engines since 2003. This architecture, which places the intake and exhaust on the front of the engine, lowers the centre of gravity and optimizes mass centralization.
• In designing the mill specifically for the Catalyst chassis, the engineers integrated the 858’s engine mounts directly into the crankcases. This not only lowered it by 9.5 mm (0.37 in) in the chassis (compared with the 600 version), but also reduced its weight. In addition, the new engine incorporates coolant cavities into both halves of the crankcases to help cool incoming air and better manage engine temperature.
• To improve long-term reliability and durability, engineers also improved the sealing of the cases to prevent leaks or air entry. What’s more, they added ventilation to the lower case to draw airflow towards the stator and thus increase its durability.
• Fuel injection is by semi-direct injection, as is the case with its predecessor, the second-generation C-TEC2 8000 (i.e. the 2020 to 2024 edition). I’m told that the fuel injectors are identical to those on the 8000 engine.

Exhaust System

• The 858 uses a completely new patented exhaust valve system. This design requires 50% fewer parts than the previous one – down from 30 parts per cylinder to just 15. This improvement occurs largely thanks to the new set-up, which ensures that the (single) valve controls all three exhaust ports simultaneously. As a result, the new system requires less machining and is simpler to assemble. In addition, the valve, which is both opened and closed by a stepper motor using a cable, is shaped to match the piston. In fact, the valve remains closer to the piston throughout its stroke. The gap between the valve and the piston is reduced from 0.77 cm (0.30 in) on the 8000 engine to just 0.31 cm (0.12 in) on the 858. Thus reducing gas leaks and turbulence and increasing the engine’s power and cleanliness. Finally, the new system offers a 250% increase (from 0.67 to 1.68 cm [0.26 to 0.66 in]) in its ability to vary port height, to increase auxiliary port height by 33%, and the potential to maintain a smooth ceiling for improved exhaust flow.
• The new exhaust system, including the Y-pipe, is made of stainless steel. The use of a thinner material enabled the engineers to reduce the overall weight by almost 1.8 kg (4 lb).

The result is an engine that Arctic Cat claims to be 11% more powerful than the 8000 mill it replaces, while retaining the same peak operating speed of 8,200 rpm. In terms of weight, the 858, at 32.7 kg (72.1 lb), is 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) lighter than the 8000 at 34.1 kg (75.2 lb). The latest member of the C-TEC2 family is available in the ZR, Riot and M models. It features a recoil starter on all models, while an electric starter is standard on all crossover and trail models (optional on the M Sno Pro and M Mountain Cat).

Arctic Cat Snowmobiles – New ADAPT Drive Clutch

2025 models powered by the 858 engine will feature a new version of the ADAPT primary clutch with a new steel spider. I’m told that this development is to ensure greater durability. Its one-piece design not only ensures constant clutch balancing. It also provides ten times greater durability and around twice the material strength. Meanwhile, the revised clutch cover features a new moulding and a thicker wall around the bolt holes, all for greater strength. Additional dowels at the junction of the clutch cover and towers reduce the spread between them. This results in smoother ratio changes, reduced vibration and improved durability. Finally, the flyweights receive a new profile to improve performance, as well as an increased contact surface to reduce wear on the rollers and flyweights themselves.

Arctic Cat Snowmobiles – New Interactive Display

Here we are at the dawn of 2025. Interactive digital displays are becoming a must-have for many snowmobilers. In order to offer cutting-edge technology that meets the expectations of an increasingly demanding clientele, Arctic Cat teamed up with Garmin, a renowned international specialist in GPS and electronic display systems, to create its new G8 display. As was the case with the new C-TEC2 858 engine, this display also came to public view at the Hay Days event last autumn. Based on Android technology, the G8 cluster offers customized by the user, and delivers a whole host of features and functions, including:

• Main screen: allows simple navigation between the Map, Vehicle Information, Media and Phone applications and much more;
• Vehicle data screen: includes coolant temperature, fuel level, speedometer, odometer, tachometer, reverse gear indicator and user-customizable data fields;
• Status bar: bar at the bottom of all screens displaying quick navigation, active warnings and key vehicle information;
• Group ride function: allows users to use the integrated group ride radio system to read and send messages, as well as display and track up to 20 snowmobilers, all without cellular coverage;
• Group ride with a mobile phone: pairs the unit with a mobile phone, connects to the Tread application (available on Google Play and the App Store) and allows unlimited remote tracking (cellular service required);
• Navigation function: includes preloaded trail maps (no subscription required), which are then updated periodically throughout the year;
• GPX and KMZ files can be added. You can also plan routes and upload them to the G8 display;
• Managing and using Bluetooth headphones.

A host of new functions are also included, with and without telephone connectivity. The new G8 interactive digital display system is standard on ZR and Riot models with ATAC suspension packages.

Sno Pro Package

The Sno Pro name, which occupies an illustrious place in Arctic Cat’s history, is back for 2025. A sub-range of the ZR, Riot and M model families for 2025, snowmobiles bearing the Sno Pro name occupy a mid-range position within the manufacturer’s lineage. In terms of standard features, apart from the suspension and graphics, these snowmobiles are virtually identical to the base (ie. IFP) versions. In other words, they come equipped with a goggle compartment, a 12V accessory socket, an electric visor socket, a tether cord and the Sport display. The ZR and Riot models feature an electric starter and ultra-low windscreen.

Sno Pro models are equipped with new AC5S shock absorbers. Designed by Arctic Cat – hence the “AC” in the name – they have an external reservoir and five (low-speed) compression damping positions.

The adjustment range is slightly wider than that of the Fox QS3/iQS shock absorbers found on ATAC models. In concrete terms, the soft setting is slightly softer, while the firm setting is slightly firmer. The AC5S shock absorbers are on the Sno Pro versions of the ZR, Riot and M models.

ZR R-XC 

The ZR R-XC sub-range expands for 2025 with the addition of a new version powered by the C-TEC2 858 engine. This is the first time an R-XC is powered by an engine larger than 600 cc. Another new feature for 2025 is the replacement of the “deluxe” instrument panel found on the 600 version in 2024 by the same Sport gauge installed on the Sno Pro and base versions.

ZR 7000

The ZR 7000 returns for 2025, this time equipped with a heated seat and LED lighting, two additions that buyers are sure to appreciate.

ZR

Notwithstanding the introduction of the 858 engine and the addition of a Sno Pro version, it’s more or less status quo in the ZR range for 2025. The exception is the withdrawal of the 327.7 cm (129 in) tracked edition from the base models (IFP), now fitted only with the 348 cm (137 in) RipSaw II tracked version.

I also learned that the suspensions on the IFP and ATAC models are recalibrated for 2025 to improve comfort and handling.

The famous R-XC version is back among Arctic Cat snowmobiles for 2025. While this version is virtually identical to the 2024 edition, I’m informed that, following feedback from riders who competed on the 600cc version last winter, the Slide-Action rear suspension coupling system is revised to reduce weight transfer under acceleration.

The RIOTS

The track options for the Catalyst platform-based Riot are changing for 2025, with last year’s 4.06cm (1.6 in) lug Cobra replaced by the more modest 3.4cm (1.35 in) lug version. The second option, the 38.1 x 370.8 x 4.4 cm (15 x 146 x 1.75 in) Hurricane track, remains available.

Finally, as with the ZRs, the engineers have revised the shock absorber settings on the IFP and ATAC versions.

My Last Word

With an impressive list of What’s New for 2025, Arctic Cat is well-positioned in the fight to capture market share soon to be given up by Yamaha. Meanwhile, the 9000-series sleds from Arctic Cat continue to use Yamaha-built engines. But as my tech expert, Michel Garneau reports, Textron, the parent company of Arctic Cat, did buy Weber engines (makers of the 750 cc twin used in the Polaris FS/FST models some years back),.So who knows what the future holds for the Arctic Cat/Yamaha engine partnership?

Please note that my website is dedicated to trail riding. So 2025 mountain sleds are not covered in this Arctic Cat snowmobiles What’s New overview. I hope you enjoyed this sled tech post by Michel Garneau – and stay tuned for more  Micky’s posts…

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The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.