Arctic Cat's ThunderCat 1000 - 2008 Open Class Sport Utility ATV of the Year

The 2008 model year saw many improvements in handling and performance, and new or improved features in the utility ATV market, but none were more impressive than the all-new Arctic Cat ThunderCat 1000. Talk about stepping up to the plate; this ATV is not just a home run--it’s a grand slam! Arctic Cat’s engineers had been hard at work for several years developing their version of the ultimate 4x4 utility quad; what they came up with is not just your normal run-of-the-mill 4x4 quad, but a utility machine with the performance and handling of a sport ATV.

Our first impression of this King of Beasts was that it looked every bit the part of a lion resting under a tree on the Serengeti Plain. It was bold, muscular, intimidating and impressive, even while sitting still, and we couldn’t wait to throw a leg over this machine to see what it had. Every rider, it seems, was anxious to go and hunt down the Gazelles!

Power for the ThunderCat 1000 is supplied by a 950cc V-twin motor with a hemispherical-shaped head designed for maximum performance. The fuel delivery system is EFI (electronic fuel injection), which offers better fuel efficiency and optimum power at any altitude or temperature. Arctic Cat didn’t just clone someone else’s motor, however; it built an all-new motor at its factory in Minnesota. Every step in the assembly process is electronically documented, allowing the engineering staff to maintain excellent quality control, but it also makes the ‘Cat small-engine assembly facility the most advanced in the country.

To harness all the power of the new motor, the ThunderCat needed an all-new frame with a race-tuned suspension, and the solution was to lengthen the standard 700 EFI frame by 2.5 inches. This was done to help keep the front end from being wheelie-happy. The suspension would also have to be dialed in for the new chassis and engine, and at all four corners the shocks are five-way preload-adjustable, with ten inches of suspension travel and nearly a foot of ground clearance. With the power available on this machine you definitely need strong, aggressive braking action to come to a quick and safe stop, and ThunderCat uses floating hydraulic disc brakes at both ends. If you think that’s impressive, though, wait until you crack the throttle!

The ThunderCats 950cc mill will get you anywhere in a hurry, but surprisingly, even when winding through tight trees on a twisty trail system, it handles quite well! We also tested the big ‘Cat’s 4x4 capabilities by climbing over logs, rocks and everything else we could find, and it came through with flying colors. Even though it has gobs of power, it’s very controllable when being used as a rock-crawling 4x4. Our only complaint was that when riding under 20 mph the steering was noticeably stiffer, with more feedback to the bars, and we believe this is because the engineering crew designed the front suspension and steering angles for optimum stability at the speeds of which this ATV is capable. In future years, power steering would be a perfect fit for this machine. Any negative thoughts about steering feedback tend to disappear in direct proportion to speed increase however, and how blurry the objects next to the trail are becoming. Stabbing the throttle on the ThunderCat is an absolute thrill, and instead of pulling a wheelie out of every corner, the rear suspension squats down, claws at the ground, and launches you forward. The ‘Cat gets up to speed so quickly, in fact, that you don't realize how fast you’re going until you find yourself staring at the rapidly approaching next corner; stabbing at the brake to slow down for the turn, you grab another handful of throttle and the process repeats itself as you’re shot like a cannonball toward the next bend in the trail. Throughout this process, the suspension stays well balanced and transfers the power to the ground. It’s excellent, and a thrill to ride!

Whether veteran racers or “weekend warriors”, most riders couldn’t get enough of the terrific handling and immense power of the ThunderCat 1000. It can make anyone look fast, and it leaves a smile that last for days on the face of every rider that tries it. For those reasons the Arctic Cat ThunderCat 1000 is the ATV Illustrated Open Class Sport Utility ATV of the Year, and it’s a machine the Arctic Cat crew can be extremely proud. It’s one of their best units to date, it matches the performance characteristics that ‘Cat snowmobile riders have been accustomed to for years, and it promises great things from Arctic Cat in the future.