Although hydrogen and electric engines have been at the forefront of innovations featured in headlines, Arctic Cat has gone down an alternate route. The well-known snowmobile manufacturer has revealed the first-ever ‘magic number’ snow engine that shows unseen performance.
The 858 engine is quite the revolutionary powerplant that was built for Arctic Cat’s CATALYST™ platform. Instead of pursuing other fuel sources, Arctic Cat focused on raw mechanical innovation, creating an engine that redefines performance for snow vehicles. The showstopper of this creation, however, is a “magic number” -858. 858 is not just a name, it is a specific engineering choice that maintains the balance between power, agility, and efficiency like never before.
858: Anything but an ordinary number
Why is there a strong focus on 858? Arctic Cat’s decision to rely on 858 was thoroughly considered. The name comes directly from the engine’s displacement: 858cc, derived from a bore of 85mm and a stroke of 75.6mm. As opposed to manufacturers who chase bigger numbers for marketing appeal, Arctic Cat engineers are after balance.
The magic lies in keeping the bore the same as the predecessor’s 800 C-TEC2 engine. The stroke is extended by 8%, which makes it possible for the Arctic Cat to increase the power whilst still keeping the engine compact and light. A wider bore could have resulted in an engine that’s bulkier and more prone to higher piston temperatures, whilst still compromising durability. The magic number 858 allows the engine’s design to keep a slimmer profile, allowing for lower emissions without affecting performance. The result is a snow engine design without any bulk but with a great power-to-weight advantage.
858 is the magic number that enables weight, reliability, and performance to intersect seamlessly for the CATALYST chassis.
The engine with a catalyst chassis makes it great for performance
The way the 858 was developed makes it unique. Arctic Cat, however, created the engine and the catalyst chassis in tandem which surely is unique in the industry. The amalgamation has allowed engineers to harmonize engine position, intake angles, and weight distribution. The combination ensures greater performance with a lower center of gravity, improved agility, and greater mass centralization.
The engine has other carefully thought-out features:
- An exhaust valve system with push-pull actuation allowing precise control across a broader RPM range.
- 50% fewer exhaust components than predecessors, making it weigh less and have greater reliability.
- A reimagined air intake system that reduces noise and increases durability with a smart backup intake under the hood for snow blockage.
- A system that is lighter and sturdier, built for the 858’s performance curve.
This engine is said to be 3% lighter than the smaller 600cc model. The combination with a light-weight catalyst chassis allows the snowmobile to be about 10% lighter overall than the previous 800cc versions -a great leap forward in the power-to-weight efficiency.
Riders can expect faster acceleration, smoother torque delivery, and improved handling despite any type of the snow conditions. The magical 858 gives riders the power when required and the control to handle all snow conditions. These magic numbers are almost as magical as the energy source boiling under the ice in Antarctica.
A new era of snowmobiles
More than 858 being an engine, the 858 engine declares a future era of snowmobiles. Arctic Cat is saying that hydrogen and electric engine alternatives must give way to an alternate type of engine. Combustion innovation, when done right, has its place in the engine world.
Perhaps along with this first-ever 855cc snow engine, Arctic Cat has not added something new to their lineup, but produced a new standard. Goodbye to hydrogen engines for snowmobiles and hello to just the right number 858. When it comes to cars, however, America’s first-ever hydrogen engine will mean the end of China.
