The 2015 Arctic Cat Wildcat X refined the company’s original full-size sport UTV with new JRi ECX-1 shocks, updated electronic fuel injection, revised door latches and additional power-steering assist at low speeds. The premium Wildcat X Limited combined the same 90-plus-horsepower V-twin engine with Elka Stage 5 shocks, full aluminum doors, a molded roof and beadlock wheels.
These updates helped keep the Wildcat X competitive during a period when the high-performance side-by-side market was advancing rapidly. For the complete story of the platform, see our Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 history. You can also explore the development, features and later versions on our Arctic Cat Wildcat X model page.
What Was New for the 2015 Wildcat X?
- JRi ECX-1 piggyback shocks with 2.5-inch bodies and reservoirs
- Externally adjustable compression damping
- Closed-loop EFI with a catalyst-equipped exhaust
- Claimed 25-percent improvement in fuel economy
- Revised half-door latches for easier entry and exit
- 20-percent more electronic power-steering assist at low speeds
JRi ECX-1 Suspension
The most visible update to the standard 2015 Wildcat X was its JRi ECX-1 suspension. The piggyback shocks used 2.5-inch bodies and reservoirs, adjustable spring preload and 70-position compression adjustment. The increased range allowed owners to tune the suspension for different terrain, vehicle loads and driving styles.
The JRi shocks worked with the Wildcat’s double-A-arm front suspension and five-link trailing-arm rear suspension. The chassis delivered 17 inches of front travel, 18 inches of rear travel and 13 inches of ground clearance.
Learn more about the design and applications in our detailed look at the JRi ECX-1 UTV shock.
Wildcat X Limited with Elka Stage 5 Shocks
Arctic Cat equipped the 2015 Wildcat X Limited with Elka Stage 5 shocks rather than the JRi units fitted to the standard X. The Elka shocks provided independently adjustable high- and low-speed compression damping, rebound adjustment and spring-preload adjustment.
The Limited package also added full aluminum doors, a molded roof, aluminum front and rear bumpers, true aluminum beadlock wheels and 27-inch ITP Blackwater Evolution tires. These additions made it the most comprehensively equipped two-seat Wildcat offered for 2015.
951cc V-Twin Engine and TEAM Clutching
Both versions were powered by Arctic Cat’s liquid-cooled 951cc H2 V-twin four-stroke engine. Revised internal components, cam profiles, pistons, intake components and engine calibration had increased output to more than 90 horsepower when the Wildcat X was originally introduced.
The engine was paired with TEAM Rapid Response drive and driven clutches. The reduced rotating mass and revised clutching gave the Wildcat X quicker response than the original Wildcat 1000. Because of its higher-compression engine and performance calibration, Arctic Cat specified 91-octane fuel for the X.
A selectable drivetrain allowed the driver to choose two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with the front differential locked. Low range was also included for slower and more technical terrain.
Long-Travel Wildcat Chassis
The Wildcat X retained the full-perimeter exoskeleton chassis and low seating position that defined the original Arctic Cat Wildcat. Arctic Cat listed the vehicle with approximately 40-percent front and 60-percent rear weight distribution, placing the occupants low and relatively close to the center of the chassis.
Its five-link rear suspension was designed to control wheel movement while reducing changes in camber as the suspension cycled. Combined with 18 inches of rear travel, it gave the Wildcat an ability to absorb rough desert terrain that had distinguished the platform since its introduction.
Variable-assist electronic power steering reduced steering effort, particularly when operating in four-wheel drive with the front differential locked. For 2015, Arctic Cat increased the amount of assistance available at low speeds by 20 percent.
2015 Arctic Cat Wildcat X Key Specifications
| Engine | 951cc liquid-cooled V-twin, SOHC, four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Claimed output | More than 90 horsepower |
| Fuel system | Closed-loop electronic fuel injection |
| Transmission | Automatic CVT with TEAM Rapid Response clutching |
| Drive system | Selectable 2WD/4WD with locking front differential |
| Front suspension | Double A-arm with 17 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Five-link trailing arm with 18 inches of travel |
| Ground clearance | 13 inches |
| Cargo capacity | 300 pounds |
| Steering | Variable-assist electronic power steering |
Wildcat X vs. Wildcat X Limited
| Equipment | Wildcat X | Wildcat X Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Shocks | JRi ECX-1 | Elka Stage 5 |
| Doors | Standard half doors | Full aluminum doors |
| Roof | Not included | Molded roof |
| Wheels | Cast-aluminum wheels | Aluminum beadlock wheels |
| Tires | Maxxis Bighorn | 27-inch ITP Blackwater Evolution |
| Bumpers | Aluminum front and rear | Aluminum front and rear |
Where the 2015 Wildcat X Fits in Wildcat History
The Wildcat X had originally joined the lineup during the 2013 model year as the higher-output version of the Wildcat 1000. The 2015 updates did not create a new platform, but they improved suspension adjustability, steering assistance, fuel management and everyday usability.
Arctic Cat continued developing the V-twin Wildcat after 2015. The most substantial later change arrived for 2017, when the Wildcat X and 4X received RG Pro rear suspension developed with Robby Gordon, along with KING shocks and revised chassis components.
The original Wildcat X should not be confused with the later Wildcat XX. The XX used an entirely different chassis, rear suspension and 998cc three-cylinder engine. The 2015 X remained part of the original 951cc V-twin Wildcat family that helped move production sport UTVs toward longer-travel, desert-oriented suspension.
