Although Minnesota-based Arctic Cat is most famous for their snowmobiles, they’ve made some pretty impressive UTVs. The Wildcat Trail is no exception. Not only is the Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail fun to say, it’s also a fun side-by-side. Unfortunately, it got phased out when Arctic Cat decided to reduce their side-by-side lineup, but this machine still has thousands of hardcore fans.
Since it’s only 50 inches wide, there are plenty of trails for the Wildcat Trail to explore. A 300-pound rear cargo bed with good storage space makes it a true jack-of-all-trades. It offers great performance to boot with 60+ horsepower in a lightweight design.
Whether you want to explore a narrow trail or get some work done on the farm, the Wildcat Trail is more than happy to help.
Arctic Cat has managed to pack a lot of cool stuff in a small package—stuff you’d expect to see on the big models. The Wildcat Trail is proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a UTV that can run with the best of them.
The Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail brings heavy-duty shocks to an affordable UTV. FOX® Gas Charged Shocks come standard on all three Wildcat trim levels. These provide a better ride, better handling, and more off-road prowess than standard shocks. With 10 inches of ground clearance, the Arctic Cat Wildcat is more than ready for rough trails and rocks. Not only that, but they have adjustable pre-load, which means you can get your suspension set up exactly how you want it.
To handle the 60+ horsepower the Wildcat Trail puts out, Arctic Cat equipped the Wildcat Trail with a TEAM® Rapid Response™ Clutch. The clutch is paired with the gearless continuously variable transmission (CVT). It’s designed to be lightweight yet efficient. It’s also strong enough to handle the stress when you decide to get on it.
Never one to shy away from innovation, Arctic Cat equipped the Wildcat Trail with a production-first full perimeter frame. It’s made from a strong low-alloy steel so it’s built to last. It also features an impressive 40/60 weight distribution. The full perimeter frame is something you’d expect to find on sand rails, not a UTV. The low center of gravity helps the Wildcat Trail handle as good as it looks.
Arctic Cat has managed to shove a lot of performance into a small package. With the combination of a unique low center of gravity chassis and high-end Fox Shocks its a force to be reckoned with. The Wildcat Trail specs show it’s a machine that punches well above its weight.
The Wildcat Trail has three trim levels: the base mode, the XT, and the LTD. All three trims have a lot in common, but there are some variations as well. For example, power steering is only available on the XT and LTD.
Here are the rest of the specs for the Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail Wildcat Trail XT, and Wildcat Trail LTD:
| Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, inline-twin cylinder, dual overhead cams, gas engine |
| Horsepower | 60+ HP |
| Valve Train | Dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder |
| Bore x Stroke | 76.9 mm x 75.3 mm |
| Induction | Closed loop fuel injection |
| Starter | Electric |
| Driveline | Electric 2/4WD with 4WD lock |
| Transmission | Rapid Response Clutch and CVT |
| Front | Double A-arm with 10 inch travel and sway bar |
| Rear | Double A-arm with 10.5 inch travel and sway bar |
| Front | 4-wheel hydraulic disc with dual front piston calipers |
| Rear | 4-wheel hydraulic disc |
| Front | 25x8x10 |
| Rear | 25x10x12 |
| Length | 110.5 in. |
| Width | 50 in. |
| Height | 64.3 in. |
| Seat Height | 22 in. |
| Ground Clearance | 10 in. |
| Wheelbase | 84.6 in. |
| Fuel Capacity | 7.4 gal. |
| Cargo Bed Capacity | 300 lb. |
| Curb Weight | Wildcat Trail and Wildcat Trail XT: 990 lb. (dry) Wildcat Trail LTD: 1,025 lb. (dry) |
| Colors | Black with orange Earth blue with lime green Charcoal metallic with fire red (Color options listed are for the 2019 model years.) |
Even though it’s been discontinued, riders continue to enjoy the performance and flexibility of the Wildcat Trail. It might not have been the fastest or biggest of the side-by-side vehicles on the market, but it held its own in a way few UTVs have before or since.
No one knows what the future is like for the increasingly competitive 50-inch-wide UTV segment, but more than a few people are hoping for a Wildcat Trail comeback.
2 Comments
di both pustons combust at the same time?
Hey Joel, we’re pretty sure the Wildcat Trail does use a wasted spark ignition system, but we don’t have a way to confirm that at the moment. If you have a Wildcat Trail, you can check it by switching the wires on the spark plugs. If they both fire at the same time, then nothing will change. Otherwise it won’t turn over at all.
That’s different than the cylinders combusting at the same time though. Only one spark plug ignites the fuel in the cylinder at a time. The other sparks into exhaust and doesn’t do anything. Then they switch roles two strokes later. Thanks for the question!