Originally published January 15, 2013
Arctic Cat expanded its original V-twin Wildcat family for the 2013.5 model year with the more powerful Wildcat 1000 X. Scheduled to reach dealers in March 2013, the new two-seat sport UTV combined more than 90 horsepower with TEAM Industries clutching, FOX Podium shocks and revised chassis tuning.
The Wildcat X addressed one of the primary criticisms of the original Wildcat 1000: its power delivery did not feel as aggressive as its long-travel suspension suggested it should. Arctic Cat retained the 951cc V-twin architecture but revised the engine and driveline to produce stronger acceleration.
It became an important step in the development of the original full-size Wildcat platform. See our complete Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 history for the progression from the original 2012 model through the Wildcat X, Wildcat 4X and later RG Pro versions.
More Than 90 Horsepower
The Wildcat X used a revised version of Arctic Cat’s liquid-cooled, 951cc SOHC V-twin engine. Changes included new cam profiles, increased valve lift and duration, higher-compression pistons, an updated intake manifold and revised fuel and ignition calibration.
Arctic Cat claimed the resulting engine produced more than 90 horsepower—approximately 15 percent more than the standard Wildcat. A lighter crankshaft reduced rotating mass to help the engine respond more quickly when the driver pressed the throttle.
Because of its higher compression and revised engine calibration, Arctic Cat specified 91-octane premium fuel for the Wildcat X.
TEAM Industries Clutching
Arctic Cat worked with TEAM Industries to develop a new drive and driven clutch system for the Wildcat X. The dry-clutch arrangement was designed to improve engagement, backshifting and the delivery of the V-twin’s additional power to the wheels.
The revised clutching was a significant part of the Wildcat X package. Stronger engine output alone would not have solved the original model’s relatively soft power delivery without a corresponding improvement to the continuously variable transmission.
FOX Podium Shocks and Revised Handling
The Wildcat X retained the suspension layout that distinguished the original Wildcat from its competitors. Double A-arms provided 17 inches of front travel, while the five-link trailing-arm rear suspension delivered 18 inches of travel. Ground clearance remained 13 inches.
For the X, Arctic Cat fitted FOX Podium shocks with remote reservoirs and 23-position compression adjustment. A revised sway bar complemented the firmer shock calibration, helping the Wildcat remain flatter in corners and track more predictably through rough terrain.
Arctic Cat tested the package in varied western terrain, including the rough desert surrounding Barstow, California, the Glamis sand dunes and the rocks around Moab, Utah.
2013.5 Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 X Specifications
| Engine | 951cc liquid-cooled V-twin, SOHC, four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection |
| Claimed output | More than 90 horsepower |
| Required fuel | 91-octane premium |
| Transmission | Automatic CVT with TEAM Industries dry clutch; Park, Reverse, Neutral, High and Low |
| Drive system | Selectable 2WD/4WD with locking front differential |
| Front suspension | Double A-arm with FOX Podium shocks and 17 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Five-link trailing arm with FOX Podium shocks and 18 inches of travel |
| Ground clearance | 13 inches |
| Overall length | 120 inches |
| Overall width | 64 inches |
| Dry weight | 1,305 pounds |
| Fuel capacity | 8.8 gallons |
| Cargo-box capacity | 300 pounds |
| Payload capacity | 740 pounds |
| Original MSRP | $18,499 |
| Dealer availability | March 2013 |
Other Wildcat X Features
- Variable-assist electronic power steering
- Infinitely adjustable tilt steering wheel
- Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
- Maxxis Bighorn radial tires on aluminum wheels
- Color-matched high-back bucket seats
- Three-point seat belts
- Tube-frame doors with integrated nets
- Locking glove box and cup holders
- Front and rear sport bumpers
- LED headlights, taillights and brake lights
- Analog speedometer with multifunction digital display
How the Wildcat X Performed
The specifications told only part of the story. During our subsequent testing, the TEAM clutching provided crisper engagement and more consistent power delivery throughout the rpm range. The higher-output engine finally gave the Wildcat’s long-travel chassis the stronger acceleration many drivers wanted from the original model.
The FOX shocks and revised sway bar also produced a firmer and more controlled setup. The Wildcat X felt more predictable in corners, tracked straighter through whoops and resisted bottoming better than the original configuration we had driven with Walker Evans Racing shocks.
Read Jon Crowley’s complete Arctic Cat Wildcat X review for firsthand driving impressions from the dunes and desert.
Why the Wildcat X Mattered
The Wildcat X did not replace the basic character of Arctic Cat’s original sport UTV. It retained the low seating position, long wheelbase, 64-inch width and exceptional suspension travel that made the first Wildcat distinctive. Instead, Arctic Cat concentrated on the areas most in need of improvement: engine response, clutch performance and high-speed chassis control.
The result was a more complete version of the original platform and the foundation for subsequent models, including the four-seat Wildcat 4X and later Wildcat X variants with RG Pro rear suspension.
