Polaris XCR Past to Present

A Legend is born
 

* 1983 Indy Cross Country
 

1980 was a revolutionary year for snowmobiles, especially for Polaris.  As the end of the 1970s saw
the demise of most snowmobile manufacturers, Polaris ignored the struggling economy and ushered
in the ‘modern’ snowmobile era with the production release of the TX-L Indy. The worlds first mass
produced snowmobile with independent front suspension.

The Indy quickly redefined what a snowmobile could be and instantly became the most recognized
shape on the snow.  No longer would leaf springs, narrow front ends, or outdated looks keep the
interests of sledheads everywhere.

1983 Indy Cross Country
The great grandfather to the current fleet of production race sleds.  The original XC was designed
to conquer the track as well as the trail.
 

•    Liquid cooled 333cc twin cylinder Fuji power plant.

•    IFS front suspension with torsion bar and reinforced skis.

•    Production quality in a race sled.

Before long all Polaris sleds were referred to as Indy’s and soon dominated race courses and trails
around the country.  The first hood style was produced from 1980-1987 when it was replaced with
the now legendary Wedge design.
 
 

Polaris climbs on top
 

* 1991 Indy 400
 
 

After some tough years through the 80s, Polaris entered the new decade with some outstanding
products and a new position atop the sales charts.  A highly modular design, reliable power plants,
and excellent value all helped Polaris achieve this top status.  Of special note is the now famous
Wedge hood, combined with the IFS front end it is easily the most recognized sled even today.

1990 also brought about the first of the now common late season or prototype releases.  Not only
would this allow bugs to be worked out of next years production sleds, but also it allowed a public
preview and helped create demand for next years products as well.

1991 Indy XC-400
Targeted at the fast growing cross country race market, the first XC was set to take Polaris racers
across the finish line first.  New rear suspension and other chassis improvements high-lighted this
limited build production race sled.  Pictured above is the standard Indy 400, visually similar to the XC.
 

•    Liquid cooled 398cc twin cylinder Fuji power plant.

•    Targeted specifically at the race classes.

•    First of the production red racers.

Competition Heats UP
 

* 1993 Indy XCR
 

As production racers quickly become the new hot ticket, Arctic managed to steal the big headline
with their Fox shock equipped EXT, but Polaris answered with a trail rocket of their own in the newly
named XCR.

Fox shocks, new track, bigger engine with revised porting, and chassis improvements all highlighted
the newest product in the cross country market.  The XCR meant racing and was here to stay.

1992 Indy XCR
From the low windshield to the aggressive track design to the Fox shocks, the little XCR was clearly
meant for business.  Little was given to trail friendliness.
 

•    Liquid cooled 432cc twin cylinder Fuji engine w/38mm carbs

•    Fox shocks and P-85 clutching.

•    Established the XCR as the sled to beat in the 440 class.

First of the 'SP' models hit the snow

* 1994 Indy XCR
 
 

As in previous years, Polaris took the opportunity to launch another model before the snow had hit
the trails.  In response to the new ZR-440, Polaris tweaked the existing XCR and created the first in
a long line of late release SP models to keep the Polaris faithful out in front of the pack.

Porting changes along with a host of other tuning tweaks gave the SP oomph it needed to run with
the latest challenge from Arctic Cat.  Gold body Fox shocks with ramped preload adjusters were standard
fair along with revised rear skid.  This was just a teaser for things to come next season.

1994 Indy XCR-440 SP
From the low windshield to the aggressive track design to the Fox shocks, the little XCR was clearly
meant for race business on the oval and terrain tracks across the snow belt.
 

•    Liquid cooled High Output 432cc twin cylinder Fuji engine w/38mm carbs

•    Fox shocks all around and P-85 clutching.

•    Improved rear suspension with more travel and better handling.

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