Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/687402
24 • June 13, 2016 • Powersports Business ATV/UTV www.PowersportsBusiness.com Arctic Cat expands virtual reality experience to off-road Arctic Cat is the first powersports OEM tak- ing event marketing to places unseen by most off-road and snowmobiling enthusiasts, with a fully-immersive, virtual ride via the Arctic Cat 360 experience featuring Samsung Gear VR headsets powered by Oculus. Last month, the company launched the new Arctic Cat 360 Wildcat VR experience, featuring Tony Stewart, at Rally on the Rocks in Moab, Utah. Drivers are the co-pilots in their own Wildcat side-by-side, as they buckle in for some of the world's best rock climbing and red sand riding that Utah has to offer. Taking in the views around them, riders will traverse a variety of terrain obstacles including rocks and sand while ascending to the top of a Grand Canyon-esque overlook. Samsung Gear VR headsets allow consum- ers visiting Arctic Cat event displays and deal- erships to feel the heart-pumping adrenaline of steep drops, hill climbs and off-camber riding via an Arctic Cat snowmobile or Wildcat UTV in an incredibly realistic, 360-degree virtual reality world. "This remarkable technology brings a vir- tual demo ride experience to consumers with- out leaving our event display or showroom floor. This is one more way we are providing the Ultimate Off-Road Riding Experience," said Greg Williamson, Arctic Cat chief marketing officer. "Arctic Cat launched the snowmobile virtual reality ride along with pro backcoun- try snowmobilers, Rob Kincaid and David McClure, in March at our snowmobile dealer show. In every region of North America where we have displayed this snowmobile-focused VR experience, the success has been amazing. This has led us to launch a second Wildcat ride along with Tony Stewart. Experiencing virtual reality, together with our other event activation touch points, has continued to drive customer conversion to Arctic Cat products." PSB Wildcat takes a virtually real ride through Moab The Arctic Cat Wildcat takes center stage in the brand's latest virtual reality ride. Lineup aims to keep Honda at top of ATV market Honda's initial announcement of the 2017 powersports model year involved a number of ATV products, including the highly popu- lar Rancher lineup, the large-displacement Rincon, the versatile Recon and the sporty TRX250X. For 2017, several of these models are refreshed with new color options. "ATVs remain an important product cat- egory for us, so we're pleased to kick off the 2017 powersports model year by announcing the Rancher, Rincon, Recon and TRX250X," said Lee Edmunds, manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at American Honda. "With these great 2017 models, we expect to maintain our posi- tion as the No. 1 ATV manufacturer." RANCHER With incredible versatility and value, the Rancher has been a strong performer since its 2000 introduction, helping it to become Honda's best-selling ATV in Honda's history. The current version is the best ever, enabling customers to choose between independent rear suspension (IRS) or swingarm, Automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) or stan- dard gearbox, electric power steering (EPS) and standard, and 4x4 or two-wheel drive. No matter what the options, Ranchers are renowned for their durability, and they're equally capable at the jobsite and on the trail. For 2017, two new colors have been added — black for the 4x4 Automatic IRS EPS and Shale Blue for the 4x4 Auto- matic EPS. Base price: $5,299. Avail- ability: June 2016. RINCON For customers who prefer larger ATVs, the Rincon is the biggest model in Honda's lineup, with a powerful 675cc liquid-cooled, fuel- injected four-stroke engine and premium long- travel suspension, giving it unmatched comfort and ride quality. Since its 2003 introduction, this top-of-the-line model has been an ATV industry trailblazer, with fully inde- pendent rear suspension (IRS), radial tires and an automotive-style, belt- less three-speed automatic transmis- sion that can also be shifted manually. For 2017, the Rincon is available in a new black color option, in addition to red and Honda Phantom Camo. Base price: $9,299. Availability: June 2016. RECON Proving that good things sometimes come in small packages, Honda's nimble Recon can work circles around many larger utility ATVs. The model's light weight and s m a l l f o o t p r i n t m a k e i t e a s y t o maneuver through tight situations, and the longitudinal, 250-class engine still has plenty of power and torque for get- ting the job done or making it through challenging terrain. Electric start and Rincon-like styling are both standard. The Recon is available in two configurations: one with Electric Shift Program technology (ESP) and one with a manual-shift transmission. Base price: $4,049. Availability: July 2016. TRX250X Introduced in 1987, the TRX250X remains a big hit with sport riders, who appreciate its wide powerband, high fun factor and legend- ary Honda reliability. New riders love Honda's exclusive SportClutch, which allows them to learn clutch control without having to worry about stalling. At the same time, long-travel suspension means the TRX250X is appropri- ate for advanced riders as well. For 2017, the standard white version gets a new silver wheel color. Base price: $4,699. Availability: May 2016. PSB Polaris RZR announced the continuation of two Camp RZR events in North America. Marking the fifth year of the event, this year's Camp RZRs will be bigger and better than ever, and hosted at Jericho Mountain State Park in Berlin, N.H., and the Glamis Sand Dunes near Brawley, Calif. "Camp RZR is our way to thank RZR own- ers and celebrate the off-road lifestyle," said Mark Epsky, RZR marketing manager. "The events have become extremely popular, and we have some new and incredible things planned to make this year's events even bigger." Known as a celebration of all things off- road, the first Camp RZR was held Dec. 31, 2012, in the Gla- mis Sand Dunes. T h e e v e n t w a s such a success it w a s r e p e a t e d i n 2013, over Hallow- een weekend, and every year since. In 2014, Camp RZR was expanded to the United Arab Emir- ates, followed by a third event in Tennessee. This year, the eastern Camp RZR moves to Jericho Mountain State Park. With more than 80 miles of trails within the park and more than 1,000 miles of interconnected trails in New Hampshire, Jericho Mountain State park is a popular off-road destination in New England, making it the perfect place to host Camp RZR. The western Camp RZR will continue to be hosted in the Glamis Sand Dunes which is a wildly popular, West Coast off-road destination. Both North American Camp RZRs will be bigger and better than ever, featuring enter- tainment, hundreds of thousands of dollars in giveaways, vendors, a kids' zone and Polaris staff on hand to answer questions. Additional plans will be announced at a later date. Camp RZR New England will run Sept. 23-24 and Camp RZR Glamis Oct. 28-29. PSB Polaris announces two Camp RZR events Camp RZR returns to Gla- mis and adds a new stop in New Hampshire for 2016. The 2017 Rincon is offered in a new black color option. The 2017 Recon offers plenty of power and torque with a 250-class engine. Honda announces 2017 ATV models The 2017 Rancher figures to build on its status as the best-selling Honda ATV ever.