Quick Facts:
- Debuted in 1993 as Arctic Cat’s landmark entry into the muscle-sled category
- Powered by a Suzuki 900 cc counterbalanced triple putting out 160–161.5 hp
- Equipped with triple 38 mm Mikuni Roundslide carbs, triple-tuned pipes, and a Wilwood hydraulic disc brake
- Built on the AWS III chassis, with 39″ ski stance, 7″ front suspension travel, and the FasTrack rear suspension (~8.5″)
- Set a stock snowmobile speed record of 113 mph
Arctic Cat paired brutal engine power with refined chassis and braking tech to create a factory sled that could outrun, out-brake, and out-perform anything off the shelf.
Introduced in 1993, the Thundercat marked Arctic Cat’s bold entry into the muscle-sled category with a counterbalanced Suzuki 900cc triple producing 161.5 hp. Built on the racing-derived AWS3 chassis, it featured triple tuned pipes, 38 mm VM Roundslide Mikuni carbs, and a Wilwood hydraulic disc brake. The Thundercat smashed speed records, reaching a verified 113 mph run by Jim Dimmerman
This sled didn’t just raise the bar, it obliterated it and sparked a new era of performance
Ever held that triple wide open? Drop your fastest Thundercat memory below.
awesome write up! on one of the original muscle sleds from the 90s!
edgy add comparison, poking fun at the polaris,
don’t remember seeing that one…
and i used to buy almost all the mags. at the time,
maybe it didn’t make it to print?
can anyone confirm?
I remember that one clearly. Cat was always good at calling out the competition back in the day.
Yes that add ran in print. We loved it.
Be interesting to know where the first one went. Back in the day the brochure photo was apparently a wildcat with new decals. But magazine tests in spring of 92 with the first 900 had one with the turning windshield and the hood was clearly larger(higher) probably to clear the first iteration of triple pipes.
After that spring it disappeared
Loved my 93′ Tcat. Have rode mostly Tcats ever since. My current 22′ Tcat with EPS is a great sled. I hope Acat can keep the triple cylinder tradition of this model into the future. If they cannot widen the front clip on the catalyst to accept the 998, the old chassis can work just fine with a few refinements and the addition of the new gauge.
I’m fortunate enough to own Jim Dimmermans 93 Thundercat that is in the photos above neat sled with some great history