BY PAT BOURGEOIS - Sometimes showing up to the party fashionably late is acceptable and even trendy. Such is the case with Arctic Cat quads for 2010, as the Thief River Falls maker of ATVs and side-by-side vehicles embarked on a three phased roll-out of their new 2010 models, staring back in the spring of 2009. It started with the 550 Prowler XT and then was followed up with a host of bold new graphics models, new sculpted plastic for smaller displacement quads, and a new 450H1 EFI engine. Now Cat has finished off their 2010 launch just in time for the holidays with a low-key press event in Moab, Utah.
Known for its slick rock as well as its twisted trails and sharp edge stone, it proved to be an appropriate location to sample Arctic’s foray into the power steering realm for quads. Cat was quick to acknowledge they were somewhat of a Johnny-Come-Lately to the power steering party, but Cat Product Manager Mark Esala was equally quick to point out that it was worth the additional time and effort, based on the results.
Six models will be outfitted with the new power steering system from Cat, with those models being designated with an S to their already exceedingly long nomenclature name. They include two 550 models, two 700 models, and a pair of TRV entries.

The Brains
The Arctic Cat Variable Assist Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system is perhaps the most sophisticated of its kind in the industry, from a technology standpoint. The reason being is its true variable assist nature. According to Cat, as well as from our experience at ATV World, most competitive designs either deliver straight assist to reduce steering effort at an equal ratio, regardless of speed or terrain, or also include speed sensitivity, thereby reducing steering assistance at higher speeds. Arctic Cat takes power steering in quads a few steps further by delivering a true variable assist system by measuring not only vehicle speed, but also engine rpm and steering torque, both at the handlebars and at the wheels.
The heart of the system is the electronic control unit that measures steering input forces, steering resistance forces and vehicle speed and then in turn, alerts the powerful, brushless motor to deliver turning forces at predetermined levels. Those levels have been programmed into the system from countless hours and miles of research and development via Arctic Cat testing crews.
These additional measurements make for buttery smooth and near resistance free turning during extreme low speed situations, or when external forces such as mud, rocks or stumps make turning difficult. Inputs before and after the electronic motor detect the torsional difference between the forces the rider applies to the handlebars and those being encountered at the ground. These measurements, coupled with speed sensitivity, can virtually account for any type of steering forces you can encounter, regardless of speed or terrain.

“It’s taken three years of development to get the system to where we were completely satisfied,” said Esala. “The steering pole is in essence a torque link. It can detect if the wheels are pointing one way and bar forces are going the other for example. We (Arctic Cat) might be one of the last manufacturers to offer power steering on our quads, but we are confident in its performance and believe it’s a better system.”
To further give the Arctic EPS an edge, engineers opted for an extremely powerful motor that is stronger and faster than competitive designs. “The high level of assistance the motor delivers, allows the steering to react much faster than other systems. When you encounter a stump on the trails at speed for example, and it wants to rip the bars out of your hands, this system can react quickly and with the power necessary to prevent that from happening.”
The fully sealed EPS system does come with a slight weight penalty at approximately 13 pounds, but according to Cat engineers, it will outlast the life of the ATV ten-fold.

The Glory
While purveyors of technology will love the details of the new EPS system from Cat, utility quad enthusiasts will most expectedly appreciate its benefits more so. After having spent the better part of a day that encompassed nearly 80 miles of trails, slick rock, snow and high speed mountain roads, the new power-steering system from Cat not only lives up to its claim, but unexpectedly refined other aspects of the quads it graces.
Previously in ATV World, we’ve commented on the sometimes quirky front suspension and handling aspects of Cat’s big utility quads. While no changes have been employed in terms of geometry, the introduction of EPS to the Cat line undoubtedly masks many of these quirks and dramatically improves the ride and handling of all six EPS equipped Cats.
Aside from making the Cat quad dramatically easier to steer during low-speed situations, whether you are trail riding or plowing snow, the variable assist nature ensures the rider has the right “feel” at the bars , no matter the speed. “Unlike some systems that simply deliver a flat level of assistance, the variable nature of ours (Arctic Cat’s) gives the rider the right feel at the bars, so you feel how the tires are interacting with the terrain,” said Esala.
Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than at higher speeds, where some systems will create over-steer by the rider due to the system allowing too much initial turn in. Our experience with the Arctic Cat EPS equipped quads was much improved feedback through the bars, finding a strikingly good balance between smooth and linear steering effort and feedback from the terrain.
There is also showroom appeal with new “S” series ATVs from Cat. Thanks to the full-electronic nature of the steering system, customers can sample its capabilities with the engine off by simply turning the key to provide power to the system. This is also a great feature when you want to move the ATV on a trailer, or in a garage, but do not want to start the engine. J


Coming Very Soon
The new power steering models are expected to be available at Arctic dealerships by mid-March; just in time for the spring retail season. While final retail pricing is yet to be released at this writing, the power steering feature will likely bump retail pricing by approximately $700.