Today Textron Off Road took the wraps off its 2018 model line of ATVs and SxS machines, including the new:

Wildcat X

Wildcat 4X

Wildcat Sport

Wildcat Trail

Stampede

Stampede 4X

Prowler 500

Alterra VLX 700, Alterra TBX 700, Alterra 500 and Alterra MudPro 700.

Click to see the summary of these machines, with more detailed info to come shortly.

If first impressions are truly meaningful, then the hour-or-so test drive I had on a couple Stampede side-by-side models (as well as a Recoil iS electric vehicle) are a good omen for the future of Arctic Cat dealers and riders.

The ride took place this spring at Country Cat, who has been a Stampede dealer for the last year.

Far from being a definitive test, this was more of an introductory session with a couple machines. Not comprehensive, rather, an introduction of sorts.

Click to read a few observations.

Dean Bulloch and the crew from D&P Performance in Cedar City, Utah, built this one-of-a-kind Wildcat "Super" Sport to tackle monster rock crawling events like the King of the Hammers competition.

Custom double A-arm front and rear suspensions...a turbo-charged Yamaha 998cc triple engine with CVT drivetrain...yep, this baby is built for some fun.

Click to read a few more details.

During its dealer presentation yesterday, Textron Off Road announced a coming-this-fall side-by-side aimed directly at the Sport-Utility segment of the SxS market.

They didn't tell us the name, but they gave some pretty compelling spec's:

More than 100 hp, KING shocks, bucket seats, extended cab, usuable storage, and available in fall 2017.

They also announced that the Wildcat XX won't be available until spring 2018.

Click for a few more pix.

I don't typically write about sale prices, but Arctic Cat's just-announced "No Brainer" sales event offers pretty unbelievable pricing on new non-current ATV and side-by-sides. Truly, price just became a non-issue for anyone who had seriously been in the market for wheelers.

For example:

2015 HDX 700 XT EPS is now $9,999 U.S., which is -$4,000 off MSRP.

2015 Wildcat Trail is now just $7,499 U.S., a $4,400 savings.

2015 Wildcat X price has been chopped by $5,800 bucks to $12,999 U.S.

And the 2015 XR 550 Limited EPS ATV is now a mere $5,699 U.S., $4,700 lower than MSRP.

Click HERE for a jump to Arctic Cat's website to see ALL the truly outstanding prices/details on non-current and new machines.

Cue AC/DC...

Arctic Cat just released two new blacked-out Special Edition 2017 Wildcat Sport SE EPS and Wildcat Trail SE EPS, each featuring a handful of SE-only accessories to set them apart from all other Wildcats.

Click to go dark.

Arctic Cat just released the 2017 VLX 700 ATV, a full-sized machine with 700-class power with an MSRP of just $5,999 U.S. ($7,199 Canada)!

As Cat says, that's 400-class pricing for a 700cc machine.

A no-frills, rugged ATV with a 700 EFI engine, selectable 2WD/4WD and a price that's SO EASY to justify...I think this machine is exactly what a whole bunch of people want.

Click for more info.

Spend much time riding a Wildcat 1000/X? From a comfort standpoint, a pair of High Back seats are probably the most impactful upgrad.

Click to read about the new, premium cockpit items from the new Arctic Cat SPEED line of accessories.

Check out the sweet custom Arctic Cat Wildcat X build from KICKER/SSV Works featuring their Stage 1 Audio Package.

Got an ATV or side-by-side? Then you either already have a winch, or you will within 24 hours of the first time you need one.

The newest ProVantage Winch Kit and accessory Wireless Remote from Arctic Cat are exactly the kind of saviors you'd expect them to be.

Click to see what I'm talking about.

Winter's here! And wouldn't it be nice to drive a sweet new Arctic Cat HDX that's equipped with a comfy Soft Cab Kit!?

Click for your ticket to fully enclosed comfort.

We're now seeing the fruits of Arctic Cat's partnership with off-road racing champion Robby Gordon that was first announced roughly 14 months ago.

First came the new-for-2017 Wildcat X models featuring the RG Pro suspension.

Now comes a full line of SPEED accessories for Wildcat enthusiasts developed with both Gordon and Todd Romano. This premium stuff is aimed at the hardcore rider and racer, as well as those aspiring to be.

Click to read Cat's announcement.

There's no denying the added comfort a windshield offers on side-by-sides. If you're skeptical, think about the last car you bought that didn't have a windshield.

Arctic Cat offers all kinds of windshield options for its various sport and utility side-by-sides.

Here is the Flip-Up Polycarbonate option for Prowler and HDX models. Click for more info.

It is the human condition to fill to capacity whatever storage space we have. If you need proof, look at your garage.

Fortunately, there are ways to increase the storage capacity of certain things, such as the Wildcat Sport or Trail.

Yep, there are several handy storage solutions available from Arctic Cat. Click to see them.

I used to think backrests were kind of corny. You know...like old-people's gear that looks goofy and suggests slowly riding through the world.

Maybe because I'm older than I was 20 years ago (Duh!) or because I've actually ridden with backrests on ATVs and snowmobiles, I no longer think of them as corny. Yes, they still look goofy to me, but you can't argue with the comfort.

Arctic Cat has a new SpeedRack Backrest for its Alterra ATV models. Click for more info.

Last month, Brian Fandel embarked upon a 14-day, 1,542-mile ATV adventure from his home in Thief River Falls to northern Michigan, and back on a 2017 Arctic Cat Alterra TRV.

For an extra measure of sportiness, he did the trip alone.

Fandel, who is an NVH engineer at Arctic Cat, rode nine of the 14 days, logging 251 miles on the longest leg and 67 miles on the shortest. Impressively, there were four days that exceeded 200 miles.

Click to see how he did it.

It's a proven fact that music improves the experience of 87 percent of all the things we do in life.

Which is why any owner of a Wildcat X or Wildcat 1000 might me interested in the sweet new KICKER/SSV Sound System from Arctic Cat.

Pumped up kicks? Heck Yes!

Click for some sound bites.

Any who's ever taken a green flag knows that racing has it's ups and downs.

Wildcat racer/tuner Alex Fortune checks in with a great recap of the 2016 TORC off-road race in Crandon, Wis., where he and Speedwerx teammate Jeremy Houle experienced the highs and lows of tough off-road competition.

Click for the download.

Listen to the detailed info Robby Gordon offers on the new RG PRO suspension (and other improvements) on the 2017 Arctic Cat Wildcat X.

The all-new, Robby Gordon-inspired RG PRO rear suspension is the heart of the new 2017 Arctic Cat Wildcat X EPS and 4X EPS models. Very similar in design to many Trophy Truck rear suspensions, it's designed and built for professional level pounding and, yes, racing.

Click here for the nitty gritty details on it, as well as the new ROPS cage, KING gas shocks, ITP tires, KMC wheels and other chassis improvements.