Back for a very limited (one year) run after a 14-year hiatus, the Mach Z will give Ski-Doo trail riders something to talk about. Technology-wise, Ski-Doo is also releasing Smart-Shox, the first semi-active snowmobile suspension that adjusts on the fly according to the real-time conditions.
That’s just some of the changes Ski-Doo has made to the 2022 Model Line.
Across the entire line there have been some tweaks here and improvements there to make next year’s snowmobiles better than ever. And now’s the perfect time to take a closer look since the pre-season sales offer some of the best features available.
First, let’s look at what’s new for mountain riding.
If you want to spend more time in tight trees, Ski-Doo has made that a little easier by narrowing the front ski stance of the Summit X w/Expert package. Realizing that stability in terrain is entirely different than stability on trail, they narrowed the ski stance even more to improve the sled’s “leanability” on sidehills and carving through trees. The narrow skis provide a wider sweet spot when maintaining a chosen line in extreme terrain. The ski stance is adjustable from 33.7-inches wide to 35.4-inches wide for even more maneuverability in technical terrain.
The Summit X also gets the lightweight hood that came on last season’s turbo version to shed a few more pounds off the sled. Plus, there’s a brake reservoir protector standard.
To fill the gap (and it was rather huge) between the Summit X and the Summit SP, Ski-Doo has introduced its newest model, the Summit Edge that will be available in-season (not just for the pre-season sales), allowing Ski-Doo riders a little more time to make a purchase decision without giving up all the best features like the Shot starter, lightweight components and a short tunnel design.
Power in the deep snow segment was redefined with the introduction of the Rotax 850 E-Tec, then the 600R E-Tec and pushed even further with the world’s first factory-produced 2-stroke turbocharged engine in the 850 E-Tec Turbo. With no turbo lag, the 850 E-Tec Turbo keeps the same instant response from the 850 E-Tec that riders have fallen in love with.
Hit The Trail
For some riders it’s all about acceleration, speed and the chest pounding power that moves them to the front of the pack–fast, really fast. The legendary Mach Z comes back for 2022—and only for 2022—just to satisfy those Ski-Doo riders who are looking for the ultimate trail muscle sled.
For those following the history of the Mach Z, it was first introduced in 1993 and was called the Formula Mach Z. It replaced the 1992 Formula Mach 1. Then in 1996 it dropped the “Formula” title and became the Ski-Doo Mach Z. It had a good run over the next decade. In 2008 it became the Ski-Doo Mach Z 1000. Then it was retired from the line.
Mach Z riders have always valued two things: power and speed. Based on the agile and responsive REV Gen4 platform, and the industry’s best suspensions, rMotion X and RAS X with rack steering, the Mach Z features precise handling, incredible comfort and versatility to be both a speed runner and a trail sled. With the first semi-active suspension system ever for snowmobiles, Smart-Shox (more on this later), Mach Z riders benefit from handling and comfort levels you just can’t get with standard dampers.
The heart of any muscle sled is the engine and the Mach features the new Rotax 900 ACE Turbo R powerplant that delivers 180 horsepower. And if you want a holeshot, well just test out the exclusive Launch Mode. This system is designed to raise the engine rpm without engaging the clutches until the flag drops.
Other Ski-Doo Highlights
Ski-Doo has taken handling, comfort and capability into the future with Smart-Shox, the first semi-active snowmobile suspension system. Controlling both compression and rebound shock damping, the system reads inputs from five different chassis sensors every millisecond, along with engine parameters and vehicle speed to adjust damping as needed based on the rider’s choice of three available on-the-fly settings.
Shock adjustments are a thing of the past as automatic control of chassis roll, landings, anti-bottoming, anti-dive and launch attitude just got real. Now riders experience significantly improved stability, higher levels of confidence, better comfort without sacrificing capacity and ultimately less fatigue so they can extend those epic days.
The most powerful engine ever offered in a Ski-Doo, the new Rotax 900 ACE Turbo R, delivers 180 horsepower. Based on the previous generation it gets bigger injectors, increased boost and optimized intake and exhaust to supply the extra power. The compact design and packaging allows riders to have a better all-around experience while still scorching the straight-a-ways in style.
More of a great thing is coming as rMotion X, RAS X and the Pilot X and TX skis expand across most Ski-Doo trail models for 2022. Having earned a stellar reputation for cornering, capacity and comfort these components combined with the REV Gen4 platform deliver unbeatable ride and handling quality.