In a year of more subtle model changes for Arctic Cat, the new F570, has its eye on the entry-level and economy market.
Mostly, though, it’s about bringing a tired machine up to date. The new-and-improved F570 is just that: not only with a new name, but with a look that puts it on par with the rest of the Arctic Cat lineup.
From Z To F
The F570 has “2008” written all over it. Not in the literal sense, but more in the way it truly fits into the current styling.
Last year, this sled was called the Z 570. It was a decent price-point machine, but sat in a chassis that was two generations old. The F570 shed the old Z platform, skipped over the skinny Firecat chassis and has come back part of the new-last-year F Series.
The new Twin Spar chassis allows the driver to sit higher and more forward than its prior incarnation. This F version has a fixed seat and handlebars.
The F chassis – the best ever built by Arctic Cat — has not had any significant changes over last year. It’s still the same platform used in the rest of Cat’s performance lineup. And now, it also belongs to the 570 engine.
The chassis performance will feel different, however, thanks to a new swaybar mount location. Technically speaking, the mount points for the swaybars are farther apart. The bar is lighter and is built “softer,” which means it’s more suited to absorb flex.
The switch was a calibration change for improved ride quality. The sled feels tighter with reduced body roll, especially over rough, bumpy corners. The swaybar attaches to the chassis in two points, each of which is about 1 inch closer to the skis from the chassis’ center line. We did not test ride this model, but this swaybar change is throughout the F-Series lineup and we could feel the improvement on liquid-cooled F-model sleds.
The F570 uses a slide-rail suspension in back and the AWS VII up front.
Power To The Ground
There’s nothing new about the 570 Gen II fan engine. This 565cc engine was upgraded with some cleaner-burning technology last year. Arctic Cat puts it at 60 hp.
The machine uses the ACT chainless drive system that also includes pushbutton mechanical reverse. Electric start is standard.
The power hits the ground via a 15- by 128- by 1-inch track. The 128-inch length is new to this model, but standard for the F-Series.
A Touring Expansion
Arctic Cat’s touring segment got an overhaul for 2008. The biggest change is the chassis: it’s now in the Twin Spar chassis, which changes the look dramatically.
Each T series sled comes with electric start and push-button reverse, a removable passenger seat, and a 144-inch track (up from 136). LXR models — the 600 and Z1 engine choices — also offer the adjustable seat and handlebars, a heated seat, soft rear luggage and remote start. CatComm is on the Z1 LXR only.
The removable seat concept is not new, but Arctic Cat redesigned its system’s platform to accommodate front-to-back adjustablilty. The adjustments are possible with or without the back seat.
The LXR’s three-piece soft rear luggage can be used as separate units. Two attach to the side; one sits on the rear rack. The rack compartment can expand to take up the space of the passenger seat.
While we didn’t expect a year of big changes from Arctic Cat on the heels of a massive product rollout last year, several tweaks make their way to the 2008s. Here are some of the biggest changes. Complete, more thorough coverage of all the 2008 snowmobiles from Cat and the other factories is available in the Spring 2007 issue of Snow Goer.
Swaybar:The F series machines got a swaybar upgrade that reduces body roll and gives an overall tight feeling to the sled. The bar now mounts farther apart, about 1 inch closer to the skis from the chassis’ center line. The bar is also lighter, softer and absorbs flex better than before.
Gauges: There are two types of gauge, depending on the sled. The Standard Gauge features a digital/analog speedo and tach; an odometer, two trip meters, a clock, a fuel gauge and warning lights. The Premium Gauge package offers the additional features of Cat Comm, heater settings, altitude and reverse.
Mountain Rear Skid: The mountain lineup has a new, lighter-weight rear skid that uses a Fox FLOAT shock. The skid is 8 pounds lighter than last year. Much of the weight savings comes from the absence of torsion springs.
Mountain Running Boards: There’s hypertraction on the M-Series running boards, which lost 2 pounds from last year. The wide holes should make for better snow evacuation and there’s more traction on the tunnel’s vertical area for stand-and-lean grip.