Arctic Cat is gearing up for 2016, with a neat rebranding operation aimed at renewing the XR ATV series and adding a more marketable name to the list. This is how it came to be that the formerly-known XR ATVs will now be available under the Alterra name.
Honestly, the move looks like a very smart one, especially as Arctic Cat openly declared that they envision "expanding the Alterra line into other growth segments".
This, and the addition of two middleweight machines to the 2016 line-up represent the strongest signs that Arctic Cat may be planning to enter new markets and with smaller-displacement four-wheelers that are more affordable and therefore selling in larger numbers.
Arctic Cat added the Alterra 400 and 450 models to the 2016 roster, and they also include the restyled bodywork and the full off-road and function-oriented amenities of the bigger machines in the family. True middleweight workhorses, the Alterra 400 and 450 come with Kenda Pathfinder tires, steel wheels, and the Duramatic automatic transmission.
The engines pack 366cc and 433cc, respectively, but the smaller version is air/oil-cooled, whereas the bigger is liquid-cooled and also comes with a fan. Both have double A-arm suspensions for both front and rear and sport the same wheelbase of 48 " (121.9 cm).
Other specs are pretty much identical, save for the grunt of the single cylinder engines. Both machines are rated for riders aged 16 or older, and the Alterra 400 will be available for $5,799 US MSRP, while the Alterra 450 comes with a $6,199 MSRP tag.
Arctic Cat surfaces more 2016 models
However, the renaming of the XR series and the addition of these two middleweight models are only a part of the new things Arctic Cat prepared for 2016.
Other new machinery includes the TRV 700 Special Edition that finally arrives in a two-up configuration, with a 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) winch and color-matched auminium wheels. Also on the list we see a Prowler HDX 700 SE Hunter Special Edition with electric bed lift, camo livery and wheels, and a gun scabbard. A 500 model was also included in the line-up, the HDX 500 XT.
Finally, the Wildcat X Special Edition brings aluminum bumpers, color-matched beadlock wheels and roof, and desert tan bodywork, while the Trail Special Edition has full-sized doors, color-matched aluminum wheels, and a true timber camo with orange metallic paint color scheme.
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