Power-Steering-Equipped 2026 Arctic Cat ZR 600 Unveiled

Arctic Cat unveiled a second power-steering-equipped two-stroke snowmobile at Hay Days on September 6 while also sending a message to its loyal customers and the sport.  

     Before a huge crowd that encircled that Cat booth at a storm-delayed press conference, Arctic Cat Director of Engineering Troy Halvorson unveiled a 2026 ZR 600 EPS.

     The model will essentially be a ZR 600 Sno Pro – meaning it will have ACS 5 shocks and the Sport gauge – with the huge addition of the electric-assist power steering (EPS) system first unveiled on a two-stroke in the 2026 Arctic Cat EXT Special shown in April.

      Many riders have experienced the light-steering benefits of EPS on four-stroke snowmobiles as well as on ATVs and UTVs. An EPS system also damps negative feedback that comes back to riders through the handlebar. That makes for easier riding while also allowing designers to get more aggressive with other parts of the machine’s setup.

      The ZR 600 EPS will be in the now third-year Catalyst chassis, with power coming from Cat’s exclusive 600-class, twin-cylinder, laydown engine.

There will be two configurations.

There will be a ZR 600 EPS 129, with a 15- by 129- by 1.25-inch RipSaw track surrounding an uncoupled version of the Slide-Action rear suspension. Its MSRP is $15,689.

The other is a ZR 600 EPS 137, with a 15- by 137- by 1.25-inch RipSaw II track around a coupled Slide-Action and a $15,899 suggested retail.

Those prices are just $800 more than the non-EPS-equipped ZR 600 Sno Pros unveiled in April, and less than the ZR 600 ATAC models.

Also at Hay Days, the brand unveiled a 30th anniversary throwback graphics package on its Alterra 600, recognizing the Bear Cat as its first ATV.

The Arctic Cat Message

Arctic Cat’s CEO & President Brad Darling also shared a three-pronged approach that the new company is taking in the wake of its separation from previous owner Textron. Darling led a group of investors who purchased the company in April.

The three main pillars the company will be based around, according to Darling, are:

• Arctic Cat is passion. This brand was born from passion, every interaction is filled with intention, energy and fun, ensuring riders feel our passion and always feel excitement to be a part of the brand.
• Arctic Cat is built on legacy. The brand was built by generations who bleed green, we honor what we’ve been by riding forward with the same grit, pride and hometown soul that has always made Arctic Cat meaningful.
• Arctic Cat is riders first. The brand is run by people who ride, it is filled by those who love to ride. Every decision, every machine, every message comes from the trail-up, not the boardroom down.