It’s time to look more closely at what Polaris might be up to for MY 2025. Clearly the S4 4-stroke twin was one of the most anticipated new Polaris models to come to the market in a couple of years. True statement. What might not have been anticipated as much is the outcry for a turbocharged version of this ready-to-pump-air powerplant.
Some history is required. Polaris produces the ProStar 4-stroke, twin cam 999cc twin with a turbocharger for the Off-Road Division’s use in the wildly successful RZR lineup. The turbo engine has been in use for a couple of years and is known for stout reliability under what we’ll call abusive conditions.
Even though the ProStar’s arrival in the new MATRYX snowmobile chassis appears like a tight fit, we think there’s ample room for a turbo under the MATRYX S-4 skin.
Why is this of any importance for Polaris? Ski-Doo literally slays the turbo 4-stroke segment with three HP versions of the ACE 900 turbo engine package. Add this to our rationale: The normally aspirated 95-HP ACE 900 is likely the largest selling 4-stroke snowmobile in the market. Clearly Polaris needs to have a 130-HP turbo S-4 model to compete with Ski-Doo.
Now that Polaris is in the mainstream 4-stroke market with a solid and credible sled it may be time to go head to head with Ski-Doo in the turbo 4-stroke segment.
Odds of such a sled appearing late this winter? We’ll go out on a limb and say 50 percent.
