Last year Ski-Doo made headlines with the release of their new REV-XP chassis, the replacement to the very popular REV chassis that was released in 2003. The lightweight REV-XP proved very popular and has reflected on the XP being a very strong seller, especially in the mountain markets.

The XP was not just a minor improvement over the old REV - with the exception of the engine, it was basically all new. With such a big change in 2008, one would have expected a conservative release of new product from Ski-Doo in '09. But Ski-Doo has different ideas; they have released two new engines and two variations of the REV-XP chassis for 2009.

The new engines are a 600 E-Tec two-stroke, and a Rotax 1200 4-Tec four-stroke. Working with both two- and four-stroke engines Ski-Doo is essentially going after several goals - to make their machines more fuel efficient, have fewer emissions, and offer excellent performance.

The 600 E-Tec uses the same engine base as their carb and SDI engines, but with a different fuel injection system. The 600 uses a voice-coil injector to inject fuel into the top of the cylinder next to the spark plug.

By electronically controlling how much fuel the engine uses at different RPM's, the E-Tec is reported to have significantly better fuel and oil economy. For 2009 this engine will be available in the 2009 MXZ, Summit, GSX, and GTX chassis.

Ski-Doo’s new four-stroke engine is a 1200cc inline triple cylinder featuring electronic fuel injection, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, and finger-follower valve activation.

The 4-Tec is rated at 130 hp, pitching it head-to-head with Yamaha’s FX Nytro. This engine will be available in the new REV-XR chassis in the 2009 MXZ, GSX, and GTX.

The REV-XR chassis and REV-XU chassis are new variations of the REV-XP chassis and are new for 2009. Both chassis are very similar to the REV-XP chassis but are refined for their specific segment. The REV-XR has muscular styling and painted body panels, this chassis is available on select MXZ, GSX, and GTX models. The REV-XU variation is geared more for utility and is used on the Expedition model.

Yamaha has released at least one brand new machine in five of the last six years, and all of them four-strokes. Yamaha continues their dedication to leading the snowmobile market with a host of updates to their four-stroke snowmobiles, and two all-new models for 2009.

When the FX Nytro was released in 2008, it was only available with 121” or 153” track lengths, leaving a big gap between long and short tracks. According to Yamaha, a large number of snowmobiling consumers are looking for a 136 or 144 track. In response to consumer, demand Yamaha released the FX Nytro XTX. This machine falls into the cross-over category, with a 144” track and 41.3” ski-stance. The Nytro XTX it is powered by the same Genesis 130 1049cc triple as the other Nytros.

Other changes include new front suspension geometry on all Nytros except the MTX, clicker shocks on the rear, and a Special Edition RTX. The RTX SE is snocross replica with upgraded suspension, different tunnel, running boards, and race graphics.

For 2009 the Yamaha RS Venture GT snowmobile receives a complete redesign. This sport touring machine is powered by a fuel-injected Genesis 120 FI three cylinder engine, in a Deltabox II chassis. The new engine is loosely based on the Genesis 130 but has different cams, valves, and a high-output stator. 

From ski-top to rear bumper, this machine is loaded with features like a 144" Camoplast Rip-Saw track, lightweight rear exiting exhaust, piggy-back reservoir clicker front shocks, dual DC outlets, and a hardtop rear trunk.

The Apex, Vector, and Phazer sleds received a few updates like new graphics and CK clicker rear suspension. Our 2008 Best All Around Snowmobile of the Year, The Vector is the now the only carbureted machine in the Yamaha line, making us think that '09 may well be the last year that Yamaha offers a carbureted model at all.

Arctic Cat has focused their efforts on making improvements to their existing engines and chassis for 2009. Arctic Cat’s M (mountain) and Crossfire (cross-over) machines have all gone on a diet this year. They get a new rear skid that replaces the torsion spring with a Fox Zero pro gas shock, and new aggressively-machined rails.

Also new on the Sno-Pro M and Crossfire machines, is a telescoping handlebar that allows the rider to raise and lower the handlebars for different riding situations. Another new feature is the electronic reverse. While the 2008 sleds did have reverse, this new system sheds nine pounds by replacing the diamond drive reverse system with an electronic reverse that stops the engine and rotates it backwards. The 153 and 162 M sleds also get a new 15” wide Power Claw single-ply track with 2.25” paddles.

Arctic Cat's CrossFire line gets two new models for '09; the R1000 and R800. This machine is basically a short-track version of an M or CrossFire and conceptually similar to the hugely-popular FireCat that was phased out a few years ago. The rest of the CrossFire line gets similar updates to the M sleds; new rear suspension, telescoping handlebar, electronic reverse, etc.

Arctic Cat has also made changes to their Z1 four-stroke snowmobile for 2009. The Z1 turbo uses the 1056cc twin with a turbo and intercooler. With 177hp, the Z1 Turbo will be the most powerful production snowmobile on the market in 2009.

It looks like AC has adopted the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude for their 2009 machines, and that is totally fine with us. Arctic Cat has a strong line-up of machines that perform very well, and it is good to see them further developing their existing products.

In 2008 Polaris made a concerted effort to not over-flood the market, and concentrated their efforts on building smaller quantities of machines that performed better and were more reliable. For 2009 it seems like Polaris is back on track with a strong line-up of snowmobiles tailored to targeted riders. Polaris has put a lot of effort into listening to consumers, and their 2009 machines are a testament to this.

The biggest change in the Polaris line for 2009 is the additional of a new back country freeride machine called the Assault. The Assault is a brand new machine in a new segment. The Assault comes with aggressive Walker Evans suspension, Pro-Taper handlebars, reinforced rails, a 146 track, and is powered by the Cleanfire 800. Polaris has been working with back country free-ride riders Randy Sherman and Dan Adams for a few years, and the Assault is a machine designed using the feedback from these Sledneck riders.

Polaris has expanded the use of their 154hp 800 Cleanfire engine for 2009. This engine will be available in both standard and Dragon trim in the short-track IQ, cross-over Switchback, and deep snow RMK models. In 2008 the Dragon RMK 800 was the only machine to use the 800 Cleanfire engine and it was the Off-Road.com Mountain Snowmobile of the Year, so we are really happy to see this engine being used in more machines for 2009.

The Shift models that Polaris launched in '08 have proved to be popular with snowmobilers looking for an inexpensive way to get out on the snow, or for those looking as a platform to modify. For 2009 Polaris has expanded the line to a total of six models; 550 IQ, 600 IQ, 600 IQ 136, 600 RMK 144, 600 RMK 155, and 800 RMK 144.

The Polaris deep snow RMK models get a few updates for 2009. The RMK’s RAW chassis has a new lightweight and narrowed bumper and nose pan, lightweight spindles and a-arms, and Pro-Taper handlebars and Walker Evans Air Shocks on a few models.