In order to avoid any confusion with the Sea-Doo watercraft, the Ski-Doo GTX will now be called Grand Touring, a name that was dropped seven years ago.

In 2009, two-up touring enthusiasts were finally able to enjoy the benefits of the REV chassis with the launch of a next-generation two-seat luxury touring snowmobile based on an extended variant of this chassis. Its latest evolution known as REV-XR makes room for the brand’s all-new four-stroke engine, the Rotax 4-TEC 1200.

At any given speed, this unit keeps engine revs as low as possible in order to take advantage of the generous torque curve while improving fuel economy and emission performance. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Moto123.com)

Effective engine
Co-developed by Rotax and Petronas, the three-cylinder 4-TEC features a cutting-edge fuel injection system and effective emission control technologies. It’s one of the cleanest engines on the market and, while we can’t say the same thing about overall performance, the fact remains that both power and torque now come in earlier and stronger. Actually, this Rotax generates class-leading torque from 7,500 to 8,500 rpm.

Accelerations are convincingly swift yet seemingly effortless, even with a passenger on board, while sound effects appeal to the ears without disturbing the entire neighborhood. Also, the unwanted vibrations that used to be felt through the floorboards of similarly-powered Ski-Doos (including the GTX SE prototype we tested back in December of 2007) have basically all vanished.

The 2010 Grand Touring SE uses a nicely-progressive, continuously-variable transmission (CVT) delivering smooth takeoffs. At any given speed, this unit keeps engine revs as low as possible in order to take advantage of the generous torque curve while improving fuel economy and emission performance. What’s more, the Rotax 4-TEC 1200 gets upgraded intake ducts and a reprogrammed ECU to mitigate the ill effects of engine braking when the rider cuts power — and it works!

The sporty new 2010 Ski-Doo Grand Touring SE is a snowmobile to be reckoned with. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Moto123.com)