The history of the Ski-Doo Mach Z, a mythical model! The year 2022 marks the return of a legendary model from the manufacturer Ski-Doo. Production of the Mach Z will be limited to the current year only, and the excitement generated by this rarity has triggered a surge of passion from the purists of this brand. The current economic climate is conducive to its limited production and its value will certainly increase over the next few years for collectors.
Valcourt. It easily compares to the passion of the muscle cars of the early 70’s, a snowmobile that gives you an adrenaline rush.
This Ski-Doo Mach Z snowmobile creates the feeling that you have “THE” snowmobile to impress your friends when it’s time for an impromptu drag race on the straightaway. It has always had all the assets to generate envy and Ski-Doo’s designers have understood this.
History of the Ski-Doo Mach Z – Here is a summary of the highlights of the Ski-Doo Mach Z’s history:
Its first appearance in showrooms dates back to 1993 and only 500 were produced. The Mach Z was powered by the infamous triple 780 Rotax. There was something new and old about the ’93 engine. That year also saw the introduction of a new chassis named F-2000 with a conventional swing arm front suspension labeled “DSA” (Direct Shock Action). Yes, Ski-Doo had to swallow its pride with a chassis that looked a lot like the Polaris Indy. The F-2000 chassis was Ski-Doo’s answer to reducing weight, increasing displacement and reducing manufacturing costs. Ski-Doo also invested heavily in manufacturing improvements now that the chassis was 100% aluminum. On the snow, the performance of this snowmobile did not disappoint. Only the ’93 ThunderCat with a 900cc triple had outperformed the Mach Z.
There’s no denying that this snowmobile was a rocket, but it exploded with regularity until the 1998 model year, when it landed in the CK3 (Competition Kicker 3-cylinder) chassis. From that point on, the Mach-Z 800 3-cylinder gained a huge following among lake racers and acceleration enthusiasts who proved this engine to be, at the very least, notable, but probably iconic in its ability to pull big numbers. This 809cc Rotax, introduced in 1997, developed an impressive 150 – 155 HP. This model was produced until 2003 in its presentation with some special editions such as the limited edition Mike Houle.
The year 2004 was a transition year where the Ski-Doo Mach Z was not produced.
2005 marked the return of the Mach Z with a new chassis and engine. It came with the 2-TEC 1000 (995cc) SDI two-stroke, which was the main source of all the attention. Its engine developed an impressive 170 – 175 HP, which was already a lot at that time. For a high-performance snowmobile like the 2005 Ski-Doo Mach Z, however, it should have come with better shocks. BRP obviously heard this complaint from its dealers and other owners, hence the “X” Mach Z package for 2006 that included significant suspension upgrades. The RT chassis was certainly accommodating, but nothing more. Production was from 2005 to 2008.
In conclusion, the famous Mach Z name rings in our ears like the roar of its powerful engine. This name is here to stay, and Ski-Doo’s marketing people have struck a blow with its return in 2022. This snowmobile needs no introduction, so much so that it is present in the imagination of enthusiasts, and the reality of the lucky few who have managed to get their hands on its limited 2022 version.
