Some history is required. Polaris produces the ProStar 4-stroke, twin cam 999cc twin with a turbocharger for the Off-Road Division’s use in the wildly successful RZR lineup. The turbo engine has been in use for a couple of years and is known for stout reliability under what we’ll call abusive conditions.

Even though the ProStar’s arrival in the new MATRYX snowmobile chassis appears like a tight fit, we think there’s ample room for a turbo under the MATRYX S-4 skin.

Why is this of any importance for Polaris? Ski-Doo literally slays the turbo 4-stroke segment with three HP versions of the ACE 900 turbo engine package. Add this to our rationale: The normally aspirated 95-HP ACE 900 is likely the largest selling 4-stroke snowmobile in the market. Clearly Polaris needs to have a 130-HP turbo S-4 model to compete with Ski-Doo.

Now that Polaris is in the mainstream 4-stroke market with a solid and credible sled it may be time to go head to head with Ski-Doo in the turbo 4-stroke segment.

Odds of such a sled appearing late this winter? We’ll go out on a limb and say 50 percent.

Then Luke gears up from head-to-toe with help from FXR and walks you through a few of the different kits we wear depending on weather and terrain conditions.

AJ’s in the TRAIL TECH shop taking a closer look at the new Slim Jim 2.0 carbide runner from Woody’s.

Then in TEST RIDE Luke gets deep in the powder aboard the 2023 Polaris Patriot Boost RMK Khaos Slash 155.

The 2024 lineup is complemented by nearly 250 new parts, apparel and accessories that provide even more personalization options. This year, Polaris is making its SnowCheck program even more compelling with the launch of a SnowCheck Ship Guarantee*, which promises all 2024 SnowCheck orders will ship by November 30, 2023.

“Everything we do starts with our riders in mind,” said Jenny Nack, vice president and general manager, Polaris Snow. “The 2024 Polaris snowmobile and Timbersled lineup is one of our most refined and complete in recent years. And our new Ship Guarantee will give SnowCheck customers confidence that their customized snowmobile will not only deliver the best riding experience but will also arrive in time for winter.”

Building on an industry-leading snowmobile portfolio, the 2024 lineup offers new options for deep snow riders, along with feature and performance enhancements for trail riders. Highlights include:

Polaris is introducing an all-new Series 9 325 track, the largest in the industry, that further elevates Polaris RMK to the top of the mountain. A SnowCheck exclusive option, the new 3.25” track propels riders through the deepest powder with a design that spools up instantly and delivers a new level of traction and lift. The Series 9 325 track is joined by other SnowCheck-exclusive features including the factory-mod power of the Patriot 9R and the turbocharged Patriot Boost.

As the newest engine, the four-stroke ProStar S4 is offers enhanced efficiency and durability across INDY, Voyageur, and Titan snowmobiles. From its smooth throttle response, to less maintenance and easier ownership, it continues to deliver spirited performance, with the capability and fun to hit the trails, haul gear, and enjoy the winter.

The 2024 lineup boasts an optional 7-inch display powered by RIDE COMMAND technology. The Polaris-exclusive offering, RIDE COMMAND is the sport’s first and most dedicated GPS mapping and rider connectivity technology without needing cellular connection. RIDE COMMAND continues to set the standard allowing riders to plan routes, organize and track riding groups, and offers industry-leading Bluetooth connectivity on a full color, glove-friendly touchscreen 7S Display.

“We never stop looking for ways to improve the riding experience,” said Nack. “Whether through bold, game-changing innovations like Patriot 9R and the Matryx platform, or our ongoing efforts to tune and enhance quality and performance, the passion and commitment of our team to continually raise the bar is always there.”

To complement the 2024 lineup, Polaris is launching nearly 250 new accessories, parts and apparel. Mountain riders can discover increased comfort and customization options with our new handlebar gauntlets, new colors in our backcountry handguards, and new options in our signature Lock & Ride Flex Storage bags. Trail riders have expanded auxiliary lighting options, as well as added accent lights to enable even more personalization. Those looking for extra storage needs may be interested in the new towable Adventure trailer, featuring independent suspension and a taillight.

SnowCheck – the industry’s most comprehensive customization spring order program – launched for 2024 snowmobile model ordering on March 6 and will run through March 29. This year, exclusivity and customization remain at the forefront with models, engine options, technology features, and specific colors available only through the pre-order program.

Riders that order through the 2024 Polaris SnowCheck program will also receive up to a three-year extended warranty and a shipment guarantee that provides riders with the confidence their sled will ship by November 30, 2023 or customers receive $1,500 off at purchase.

Full details on the 2024 lineup of Polaris snowmobiles, along with the SnowCheck spring order program and associated Ship Guarantee, can be found at PolarisSnowmobiles.com.

2024 TIMBERSLED UNLOCKS MORE RIDING FREEDOM

Timbersled is long regarded as the industry leader that revolutionized the sport of snow biking. The 2024 lineup demonstrates continued innovation, providing riders the ultimate in control, performance, and agility.

For 2024, that evolution of ultimate riding freedom continues with the introduction of the RIOT Gen 2. The RIOT Gen 2 system will join the technical terrain focused ARO on the Gen 2 platform, and both will be available in Premium and Pro trim levels. The new system features a narrowed rail stance, a new lightweight track, and an overall weight reduction, making the new RIOT more agile and more responsive. Available exclusively in the Pro package, RIOT Gen 2 also features responsive QDT belt drive technology. These options along with the youth focused Timbersled Ripper and exclusive color choices easily makes the 2024 Timbersled lineup the most extensive in the industry.

Discover the complete 2024 lineup at Timbersled.com, along with the latest in partnered accessories and details for the SnowCheck spring order program.

About Polaris – As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and Polaris GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.

polaris.com

Then Luke highlights the advantages of snowgroomers.net’s handy and versatile SNO-MASTER 48″ tow-behind groomer which is perfect for shaping trails for your favorite winter past-time activities.

For the record, Sneak Peek is held in late January or early February at a top secret location each one of the OEMs selects annually. It’s not a West Yellowstone Snow Shoot event as each OEMs runs a private party with only select in-sport media invited. As you can imagine, the list of media participants has been getting somewhat shorter the past few years.

So here goes with what we think Polaris may show us at its 2024 Sneak Peek.

DYNAMIX

We think Polaris will unveil its highly effective, semi-active Dynamix suspension system on at least the Indy MATRYX VR-1. The snowmobile intro of this technology is actually about a year overdue with Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat and Yamaha offering their own semi-active systems.

This technology is not cheap to develop or produce, so expect it to be available only on top-of-the-segment models and only on Snow Checked Polaris models.

TURBO 4-STROKE

We’ve rumored we expect Polaris to take its 4-stroke program (S4) to more models in 20224. However, we think it is not beyond the realm of possibility for the new 1000cc Pro Star S4 to get the Boost treatment.

Think about this: The 1000cc Pro Star engine used in the S4 has been turbocharged to produce 180 HP in select RZR off-road SxS vehicles.

Simply put, that engine can inhale copious quantities of compressed air literally jammed down its throat with nary as much as a cough. Bolting a turbo onto the Pro Star S4 mill can’t be too difficult… can it?

XCR BOOST

Next issue requiring speculation: The insertion of the Boost 850 Patriot into the XCR platform. We think this is a no-brainer with the ditch banging crowd always looking for more lift-off power on the “approaches”.

While the Boost 850 VR-1 fits nicely into the rider profile it’s intended for, there’s more than just “lake racers looking for a Boost-equipped bump runner”.

The XCR Boost should come with a 137 out back like the VR-1 Boost. A 1.5 Camso Shredder would be practical on an XCR Boost.

GAUGE TECH

Here’s a long shot, but, hey, this is what we do at Sneak Peek time. I think we might see a new standard gauge to replace the long-in-the-tooth PID cluster. Ski-Doo not only upped its deluxe display to 10.2 inches but it improved its “base model “info center for 2023.

The PID does not allow easy access to the settings supporting the new Smart Grip thumb and handwarmers. A new display would surely include improved access to the excellent heaters similar to the S-7.

That’s about it for our Polaris predictions and wishes for MY 2024. Maybe you have a few guesses too so let’s hear it!

Then in TEST RIDE, Luke squeezes the throttle on the 2023 Polaris Indy Boost VR1 in the MATRYX chassis featuring the Patriot Boost engine and 129-inch skid frame.

What do I mean by anxiety? For years hypersled buyers have been satisfied to accept that if you trade-in your EFI 600 on an 800 you will go faster. Same goes for trading in your 800 for an 850. More cc’s equal more power equals more speed up Kevlar Lake. Simple.

The equation is different today. Yes, the 4-stroke turbos currently in play from Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat and Yamaha have been generally easy to understand by shifting the power metric to horsepower rather than cc’s. Ski-Doo has offered the ACE 900 4-stroke turbocharged triple in 130, 150 and 180 HP variants. Pay more and you get more HP. Again, simple.

Where it gets complicated and maybe a little scary is when aftermarket tuners tweak these 4-stroke turbocharged triples with the use of a waste gate controller.

This is pretty standard stuff in the automotive aftermarket and for the most part the guys who own sno-mo-4-stroke turbo powered rides know what they’re getting into. In the case of the Yamaha triple turbo used in both the SRX and the T-Cat there is a high degree of confidence in the durability of these engines even with a tweaked waste gate controller.

So, with more turbos being offered than ever before in this biz do you want to jump in and do a waste gate modification or have someone else do this kind of steroid injection on your shiny new Sno-Bullet? It’s widely accepted that high performance sled buyers are the most prolific modification buyers.

Truthfully, back in the day, the modification of choice for power crazed snowmobilers was an aftermarket exhaust system. I don’t mean an aftermarket silencer affectionately referred to as a “can”. Cans are still very popular and relatively easy to install. I’m talking about the installation of full-on dual and triple expansion chambers.

Sadly, the aftermarket pipe business has all but disappeared mostly because of across-the-board implementation of EFI, SDI and DI fuel delivery along with EPA emission mandates. Thankfully, there’s an easier and relatively cost-efficient way to get more power if you’ve got a turbo: An adjustable waste gate controller.

With the recent arrival of factory-built turbocharged 850 2-stroke twins, the plot thickens. These engines from Ski-Doo and Polaris deliver righteous performance with little weight penalty and no discernible drive-ability issues whatsoever. They both produce 165 to 170 (arguably) HP without turbochargers and when using what amounts to a very small amount of boost – just three pounds on the Patriot Boost Indy – those three pounds of boost push available HP upwards almost 15 percent. Not an insignificant number.

Will the aftermarket produce waste gate controllers for these new generation 2-stroke turbo engines? Yep. In fact, this work is likely underway right now. The aftermarket will never shy away from an opportunity to tweak new technologies and offer the public instant HP.

Truthfully, if there’s anything to fear about turbos or turbo-enhancing mods in this proliferation of turbocharged power for snowmobiles it’s this: Manufacturers Retail Suggested Prices. The new fleet of turbocharged snowmobiles (both 2-stoke and 4-stroke) are among the most expensive sleds we’ve seen in the history of the sport.

We’re sure Polaris and Ski-Doo are less than happy about the way these two boosted 4-strokes are stealing the limelight from the 800 and 850 class sleds they build. So what do you think they’ll be doing about it?

It’s interesting both Polaris and Ski-Doo have turbocharged products in their off-road sales brochures and both are highly regarded, dearly loved and deliver pretty much what turbo-snow customers would want if they were offered.

Polaris’ RZR 1000cc turbocharged twin makes somewhere around 155-160 horses and has proven to be reliable. Because the engine is 1000ccs, we strongly suspect it is capable of matching Yamaha’s 998 triple’s power output once it gets the right mapping and the boost amped up.

Can-Am uses a triple-cylinder 900cc turbocharged engine in its Maverick X3 and although it’s power output is less than the other three, we feel it could also be competitive, especially if displacement was upped to 1000ccs.

Frankly, we’ve been a bit puzzled why Polaris and Ski-Doo have held off offering these power packages for two years. Meanwhile, the Cat and Yamaha turbo reputation has grown into a legend.

There’s always this: Both the price range and the buyer profile of the 4-stroke turbo limit the market to a fairly small segment of the business.

Sure, you can offer these extreme sleds, but does that mean there are enough customers out there with the jing and the will to buy them in big quantities? Why invest zillions in a sled that might be selling into a glutted marketplace?

Here’s another thing: There are 2-stroke customers and there are 4-stroke customers. Converting one over to the other could jeopardize the sale of, we suspect, much more profitable 800 and 850 2-strokes.

Maybe the math just doesn’t work!