We’ve alluded to the idea an ideal solution for snowmobile companies looking to feature DI on their 2-strokes would be to license Yamaha’s marine outboard technology called HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection).

We’re not sure whether this tech is even on the block for licensing agreements to other manufacturers but it sure would be an effective strategy for companies looking to gain an edge in the 2-stroke market.

The best part is, Yamaha has long ago made the decision to be an exclusively 4-stroke snowmobile company and will likely never use HPDI on 2-stroke engines in our sport. Kind of a waste, really.

Here’s how HPDI works. It is primarily a computer-electronic system that uses a very high-speed processor to monitor engine timing and the sequence of introducing a finely atomized, high pressure spray of fuel at very precise intervals during the combustion cycle.

There are actually two fuel pumps in the system. The first takes the fuel from the gas tank, via various filters, into a vapor separator which then directs liquid gasoline into a second high pressure pump that jacks fuel pressure to about 700 psi.

The highly pressurized fuel is pumped into a fuel rail (or rails, depending on the engine layout) where individual electronically controlled fuel injectors (one for each cylinder) squirt the atomized charge at precisely the correct window of time to optimize the burn.

Although HPDI is slightly more complex than Ski-Doo’s E-TEC system and employs more parts, it works really well and has been in use for a long time.

The benefits are smooth idling, easy start-up and extremely good emissions stats.

It’s more than a rumor now. Arctic Cat is coming with a new engine program and as soon as this January, the press will get to touch, feel and ride the next generation of Cat engines.

Although AC has been dead silent about details, we think the first blockbuster will be the intro of a new 600cc 2-stroke. Probably immediately following will be a 500cc de-stroked version based on the same engine (our guess is not until 2015) and then the intro of a new 800, perhaps two years from now.

We’re guessing the ramp-up of the new powerplants will be slower than expected because Cat simply doesn’t want the glitches associated with bringing out a whole new fleet in too short a time.

We also believe the new 600 will be a fairly revolutionary mill and will likely offer a version of Direct Injection. The big question is will Cat develop its own DI or will it license someone else’s?

Based on our knowledge of the costs associated with this highly technical advancement, we think the licensing strategy will be the direction Cat will go.

When all costs are weighed out, it makes sense to adopt a proven DI technology, fully developed by someone else, instead of re-inventing the wheel all over again.

Whose technology makes sense? Yamaha has a fully developed 2-stroke Direct Injection system called HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection) used for many years on its marine outboards and it’s a very good, low emissions system.

Although it operates under completely different principles than Ski-Doo’s E-TEC, it is fully adaptable to snowmobiles.

Since Yamaha isn’t in the 2-stroke sled biz, it would be a good fit for Arctic Cat and wouldn’t be in direct competition.

We’re just sayin’…

Here’s a quick synopsis of where the OEM’s sit in terms of influence, perception and marketshare.

Power Rankings for October 2012:

#4 – Yamaha:

Yamaha rode the crest of the 4-stroke wave until 2009. Its commitment to 4-stroke power appeared to be the impetus that took them back to the mainstream reaching a rumored 20% marketshare by 2008.

1. The availability of a factory blessed sea-level supercharger kit for the Nytro (albeit at a stratospheric MSRP) has injected new enthusiasm into this sled. Expect blown Nytros to show up anywhere there’s Yama-faithful. The factories wink-nudge approval of aftermarket supercharging and turbocharging has triggered feverish rumor mongering the next big thing from Yamaha will, in fact, be turbo power.

2. The Nytro’s new skis really do improve the sled’s quirky handling. Buyers will be impressed and this will ignite more sales for this model.

3. The Apex continues to be the sport’s most sophisticated 4-stroke snowmobile and therefore has a faithful and solid following despite the sled’s imposing MSRP.

4. Yamaha’s open admission it is “back in the game” has spread like wildfire. The ball is in Yamaha’s court. Dealers, consumers and the rest of us are anxiously awaiting the next big thing.

That’s how we see the OEMs as we enter this 2012/2013 snowmobile season. Forces at play this year go well beyond our power rankings. Clearly the most imposing threat is last year’s poor winter weather in many markets.

While we believe this will be a “show me the snow” fall sales environment, the faithful, core influencers who continue to carry this great sport are already buying their sleds and accessories.

Here’s a quick synopsis of where the OEM’s sit in terms of influence, perception and marketshare.

Power Rankings for October 2012:

#2 – Tie – Polaris and Arctic Cat:

While it is rumored Polaris actually has a bigger share than AC we think there’s some interesting forces at play at Arctic Cat that could potentially put pressure on Polaris.

Polaris:

1. Polaris has a well-developed and superbly positioned line-up with the RUSH, Indy, Switchback, Assaults and RMKs. These sleds are easily understood by the market and buyers know which one is the best for them with less confusion than the other brands.

2. Polaris offers all its Pro R models in-season which drives Ski-Doo nuts. You can only get a premium Ski-Doo X model on a Spring Break early order.

3. Polaris has two good 2-stroke engines it has marketed as impossible to beat from a cost-to-operate standpoint (targeting Ski-Doo’s E-TEC fuel economy superiority) as a result of their sled’s lower suggested retail price. They say it takes years to pay for the higher MSRP Ski-Doo with E-TEC fuel savings. Hmm?

4. The RMK has a literal vise-grip on the mountain market. Weight reductions, QuickDrive and carbon fiber components for 2013 are increasing this product’s cache with the ultra selective, performance driven and quick-to-jump-ship mountain buyer.

Arctic Cat:

1. The Pro Cross and Pro Climb AC’s have lots of sizzle going into MY 2013 with new model variants like the CrossTour and ProCross RR.

2. Arctic Cat has been hard at work fixing first year glitches and has backed up its word with an extra year’s warranty for all 2012 ProCross and ProClimb sleds.
3. The 800 2-stroke’s much maligned performance and economy the past few years appears re-born with vastly improved performance in the new chassis and increased fuel economy. The 800 Cat is fast.

4. A carefully worded “rumor” circulating the industry says AC is about to launch its first domestic engine and it may be a 600 2-stroke.

If this engine is direct injected or even SDI, it will catapult Arctic Cat sales in this segment in MY 2014.

Polaris has left the door open without a DI 2-stroke or a 4-stroke for the Pro Ride.

Stay tuned for PART III in this series!

Here’s a quick synopsis of where the OEM’s sit in terms of influence, perception and marketshare.

Power Rankings for October 2012:

#1 – Ski-Doo:

It appears the marketshare leader continues to lead the pack with a rumored 40% stranglehold on the market.

Why such a big lead – rumored almost double their next competitor? It’s all about steak, not sizzle and here’s our list:

1. The most fuel efficient, EPA clean and highest performing range of engines in both 2 and 4-stroke variants.

2. Still the lightest chassis and platforms in all but the mountain segment. The new XS MX-Z/Renegade 2-stroke skin only adds two pounds to the former REV-XP 2-stroke chassis.

3. The best electronic package including the sport’s only standard anti-theft encoded key/tether.

4. The best instrumentation with the most features and the best handlebar switchgear.

5. The best rider adjustable rear suspension, r-Motion.

While Ski-Doo is obsessed with gaining similar dominance in the mountain market, the jury is still out with the mountain segment’s finicky buyers acceptance of the revolutionary new t-Motion skid and Flex-Edge track.

Check back for our number 2 pick.