Largest New Snowmobile Offering In History Kicks Off Next 50 Years At Polaris
MINNEAPOLIS--March 1, 2005--| Five new engines, 15 new sleds greet dealers at sales meeting in Salt Lake City |
Polaris , an icon in the snowmobile industry since 1954, blasted into its second half-century by introducing the widest breadth of new products in its snowmobile line in company history. Fifteen new models featuring five all-new engines highlighted the announcement to dealers at Polaris' annual meeting last week in Salt Lake City.
Most snowmobile models in the 2006 line are built with the new IQ(TM) Chassis, which originally was developed by Polaris for two of its 2005 model year sleds and was met with critical acclaim by industry media and consumers alike. Combined with the company's five all-new engines, including two high performance, low-emission four-strokes, Polaris is making a concerted effort to build snowmobiles with more power, lower emissions, smoother rides, easier handling and enhanced rider ergonomics.
"Last year we promised the IQ Chassis would change the industry, and we were right," said Tom Tiller, president and CEO, Polaris Industries. "This year, we're incorporating Polaris' most significant technological advancements into more than 60 percent of our model line-up. Combining five new power and performance-minded engines with the innovative IQ Chassis will make 2006 the most promising year in our history as a snowmobile manufacturer. We're confident the sleds we recently unveiled to dealers will be met with enthusiastic anticipation by riders in every part of the country."
IQ(TM) Chassis Gets An Upgrade
The IQ(TM) Chassis, the most-innovative and balanced chassis in the sport of snowmobiling, has been improved significantly for 2006, affecting sleds in several categories - Mountain, Performance, Trail Luxury, Touring and Crossover. The IQ Chassis offers riders a balanced, smooth and stable ride, responsive handling and industry-leading rider ergonomics. It features a lower center of gravity and positions the rider to create a centralized mass, optimizing engine output and suspension performance.
Polaris' 2006 line-up also offers the Rider Select(TM) steering system, crowned by industry press as the snow innovation of the century. With the push of a button, a rider can move the steering post to any of seven positions across a 6-inch range, allowing the rider to choose the steering position best-suited for the terrain and the desired type of riding experience.
Some of the 2006 IQ Chassis improvements include a new, true-tracking, composite IQ(TM) Ski that can use one or two runners; a redesigned ski spindle for improved handling, less "push" in corners and less drag in deep snow; adjustable ski stance on IQ(TM) RMK models; and revised belt pull angle for less belt heat and improved belt life and alignment.
New Engine Technology Leads The Way
The five new engines introduced to Polaris dealers this week illustrate a major improvement to the company's already industry-leading product offerings.
The Liberty 600 HO attracts performance-minded riders who demand great acceleration and top-end power. It produces 19 percent more horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 9 percent more horsepower at its peak compared to current competitive 600s.
"The new Liberty 600 HO is a significant new development in this year's line-up," said Eric Lindquist, general manager, Polaris snowmobile division. "The 600 class is the most important from a sales-volume perspective, and our new high output offering and improved horsepower will generate considerable attention from consumers for next year's riding season."
The Liberty 700 is a two-cylinder, four-injector, two-stroke engine with a long stroke that produces outstanding torque. It is lightweight, compact and designed to fit low in the IQ Chassis. The 700 generates strong, rider-friendly linear power that comes on smooth all across its broad powerband. The new 700 also delivers excellent fuel economy and is compliant with EPA emissions standards through 2010.
The new 2006 Liberty 900 engine has significantly improved calibration for efficient operation, easy starting and better throttle response, more horsepower and fuel economy. It automatically adjusts calibration in response to changes in elevation, temperature and other factors. The high-pressure injection system improves atomization of the fuel and helps the Liberty 900 meet EPA emissions standards up to 2010.
Two new offerings in the four-stroke category are a potent combination of the performance enthusiasts demand and the lowered emissions necessary in environmentally sensitive riding areas. The new Polaris 750 four-stroke engines - the FS and the turbocharged FST - deliver great throttle response, low emissions and excellent fuel economy.
The Bosch multi-port sequential fuel injection system monitors operating conditions and adjusts engine calibration automatically in response to changes in elevation, temperature and other factors. The engine management system also ensures easy starting with no choke. Each engine has four valves per cylinder and a single overhead cam, and each is counterbalanced for low vibration. Lightweight and compact, these engines fit low in the IQ Chassis to enhance handling and balance.
The FST engine has a power-boosting turbocharger that spools up so quickly there is virtually no turbo lag, and its intercooler ensures reliable, consistent performance. The new Polaris 750 four-stroke engines already meet the EPA's proposed standards for model year 2012, and the naturally aspirated FS engine has been certified by the EPA as Best Available Technology and can be used in Yellowstone National Park.
"It is vitally important that we continue to improve Polaris' Best Available Technology to ensure our riders will be welcomed wherever they ride," said Lindquist. "We have made great strides with the new 750 FS and 750 FST, both in meeting emissions requirements and in providing the power and performance snowmobile enthusiasts seek. These new entries position Polaris as an industry leader in developing environmentally friendly sleds, and we are proud of the efforts our engineers have put into their creation."
About Polaris
Information about the complete line of Polaris products apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.
With annual 2004 sales of $1.8 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Victory motorcycles and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use.
Polaris is the recognized leader in the snowmobile industry and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the motorcycle cruiser marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.
Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol "PII," and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index.
Editor Note: For photography requests, please contact Dave Fransen at (952) 346-6225 or dfransen@webershandwick.com.