We must admit that we strongly hoped for it… The logical sequence continues, but as we are used to at Ski-Doo, we are adding a little extra notch. An aftershock was expected to counter its main competitor in the high-performance two-stroke category. The Valcourt engineers surprised us very pleasantly with a new technology for a production snowmobile.
Turbocharging
The biggest engineering challenge of turbocharged engines is the increase in temperature of the air compressed and pushed by the turbo. In the various turbo four-stroke engines on the market, there is an air cooler, commonly called an “Intercooler“. Its role is to cool the compressed air before it enters the combustion chamber, which preserves an excellent explosion. However, adding such a device takes up a lot of space under the hood and adds considerable weight. A turbo can work just fine without a cooler. However, during an intense thrust, the heated air causes a less powerful explosion, given a smaller quantity of air molecules for the same volume. This results in a decrease in power. To overcome this lack, the engineers offer us a well-known concept with turbocompression: the injection of water and methanol.
What is methanol?
Methanol is the scientific name for methyl alcohol or wood alcohol. Often used as a solvent or as a fuel, it has a very high octane number (109) as well as good cooling power. Adding methanol to the combustion allows greater pressure to be used without creating self-ignition. In addition, one can maintain a powerful explosion without flaws at all times. In the situation that concerns us, the engineers use a mixture containing a little methanol and distilled water.
Injection of XPS ICE (Intake Cooling Enhancer)
Consumption will vary according to demand, so when using at full speed. The injection will reduce the temperature in the combustion chamber allowing constant and flawless power. The 180 horses will always be present regardless of the demand. The engineers mentioned to us a consumption of one liter for a distance varying between 750 and 1000 kilometres. If your driving is rather relaxed with constant cruising speeds, your consumption of the XPS ICE will be considerably reduced.
Launch Mode
Do you remember in 2022 on the Mach Z, this system which allowed dazzling departures? Well, he’s back on the MXZ 850 E-TEC Turbo R and the Competition package! This system allows the turbo to go up in revolution without reaching the engagement point of the clutch pulley. In fact, when activated, this system delays ignition so that the explosion occurs later, when the piston comes down. This delay pushes the pressure directly into the exhaust and thus pushes a lot of pressure to the turbo to allow it to increase its revolution considerably without reaching the point of engagement. So, if ever the opportunity arises to run a race, he will be your main ally for the start.
SHOT starter
The system allowing the injection of the water/methanol mixture is called XPS ICE. This system includes a tank, located at the back of the seat, a position usually reserved for the battery.
Its role is to reduce the temperature in the combustion chamber when demand is very high. The mixture is injected directly into the intake manifolds (Intake boost) just before the reed valves. It is propelled there by a very precise electric pump. The water/methanol mixture refreshes the compressed air/gasoline mixture to obtain a better explosion when required. According to the data, the injection of the XPS ICE would start between 12 and 18 seconds after accelerating to full throttle. So you can easily imagine that it takes a lake or a safe place to sustain full throttle for more than 12 seconds. And I’m not talking about speed limit here.
For the first time, Ski-Doo introduces its SHOT system in a trail snowmobile. The reason is quite simple: to produce a turbocharged two-stroke snowmobile without adding weight. The addition of the turbocharger and piping is considerable. In order to keep a snowmobile as light as the atmospheric versions, the engineers replaced the battery and the starter with its SHOT system. It is in fact an energy accumulator allowing the engine to be started by a magnetic field. Standard on many mountain snowmobiles, this system requires a first start using the recoil starter (rope), and then allows smooth starts without any noise.
New brakes
If you add power in acceleration, you also need braking power. To remedy this situation, nothing less than a new, shorter and adjustable brake lever, combined with a new four-piston brake caliper. This results in greater braking capacity and better ergonomics, a little gem…
After a few kilometres…
It was quite difficult to get our hands on the sled during our tests. There were very few units for all the magazine representatives. But we still managed to test it for half a day. No doubt, this sled will be very fast: 180 horsepower in a narrow and light chassis is a guarantee of success. Our entire team has observed the same thing: the vehicle is not violent at the start and the thrust resembles the atmospheric 850 with a little more power. But after 2 or 3 seconds, we feel a big increase in power. We perceive the kilometers per hour to follow one another very quickly!
Although the power is higher, we have kept this beautiful smoothness offered by the atmospheric versions. No vibration spoils the acceleration which is relatively linear despite the high thrust of the turbo. Its behavior during recovery is remarkable, very well balanced. It ramps up very quickly, with virtually no delays. Impossible to ignore the new braking system. First of all, the shorter brake lever is adjustable according to your preferences and habits. This is a big plus in terms of ergonomics. But what strikes us from the outset is the level of effort required to block the track: a single finger is enough and without too much effort!! Cheer! This allows us to maintain a good grip on the handlebars at all times.
Very desirable, but rare
The sled will be delivered to you with a single configuration: the Competition package .
Reinforced tunnel, reinforced suspension rails, KYB Pro 40 shock absorbers with Kashima coating at the front,
and KYB Pro 38 at the rear. Standard LED light and hand guards. rMotion X suspension at the rear, and RAS X at the front.
We must admit that for a first vintage, it is very successful! But your chances are slim to get your hands on a 2024 version. Given the limited quantity, only a few are available through dealerships. You will have to have a keen eye to see them pass on the trail.
