Ski-Doo unveils MXZ Iron Dog Special

128-inch track, rMotion suspension part of limited run

BRP earlier this month introduced the Ski-Doo MXZ Iron Dog Special snowmobile, inspired by and named after the iconic event. The sled was originally targeted as a 2016 model, but because of its release date, it is officially a 2015.

The MXZ Iron Dog Special sled was designed for rough trail enthusiasts and features many characteristics used on Iron Dog champion machines, along with a distinctive color and graphics scheme.

BRP’s Ski-Doo MXZ Iron Dog Special sled uses a 128-inch (325-cm) track and rMotion suspension developed and proven in previous races and on the snocross race circuits. This is the first time the configuration has been available to consumers; its added length increases traction for acceleration and braking, yet maintains the MXZ sled’s legendary cornering and bump absorption abilities. The MXZ Iron Dog Special is available with both the Rotax 800R and 600 H.O. E-TEC engine choices and includes several race-specific chassis reinforcements and race-type suspension calibrations to accommodate the hard-core target audience.

“It’s great to see a manufacturer build a special sled like this one and name it after our race,” said Kevin Kastner, Iron Dog executive director. “We’re enthusiastic to be associated with Ski-Doo snowmobiles and appreciate the support they put into their racers that make the Iron Dog such a remarkable event.”

“The Iron Dog race has a long storied history, and BRP’s Ski-Doo sleds have been at the forefront in recent years, winning two out of the last three events,” said Louis Lévesque, vice-president, Global Marketing and Consumer Experience. “Many riders have chosen to race Ski-Doo snowmobiles in the Iron Dog the past several years because they’re known for being durable, fast and easy on the rider — and those are certainly attributes we’ve built into the MXZ Iron Dog Special snowmobile and our other sleds.”

Sébastien Thibault, race manager for Ski-Doo Snowmobiles and Can-Am Off-Road vehicles added, “More than anyone else, we use racing to make our snowmobiles better. That’s especially true of cross-country races like the Iron Dog because it’s an extreme version of how many snowmobilers ride every weekend. Consumers who ride their own Iron Dog Special model with their buddies will love what this unique sled delivers.”

Production is limited, and it will only be available this winter.

A Ski-Doo first for consumer sleds

The Iron Dog race in Alaska is the type of ride the hardest core cross-country enthusiasts crave, with tight twisting wooded trails, ungroomed stretches of wickedly rough terrain and many straightaways to let the engine stretch its legs. 

Inspired by the Ski-Doo snowmobiles that have won the 2,000-plus-mile (3,200-km) race two of the last three years, BRP is introducing the 2016 Ski-Doo MXZ Iron Dog Special sled. This very limited edition is for riders who demand the highest performance and durability in cross-country type conditions.

The MXZ Iron Dog Special starts as a legendary MXZ X-RS model, then adds features and calibrations only found on sleds used in competition — most notably a 128-inch rMotion rear suspension. Iron Dog, snocross and cross-country racers have found the longer suspension is the ideal blend of acceleration, braking and nimbleness. Standard on Ski-Doo pro race sleds for two years, this is the first time the rMotion 128 has been available on a consumer snowmobile.

For performance, there’s the unmatched combination of the lightweight and balanced REV-XS RS platform, precise RAS 2 front suspension and powerful Rotax E-TEC engines. For durability, there’s a two-ply RipSaw track and extra suspension reinforcements front and rear directly from the factory race sleds.

Because it’s aimed at hardcore riders, the suspensions use KYB Pro 40 shocks, tuned for even more capability in big bumps than the MXZ and Renegade X-RS models. All the suspension springs go one step stiffer, with the center shock using a dual rate spring.

All this high technology is reflected in a Sunburst Yellow/Black color scheme with commemorative Iron Dog graphics.