Hot on the heels of our 2013 Can-Am Maverick 1000R Preview, here's another sport-oriented side-by-side vehicle for riders who seek extra performance on the open field, winding trails and sand dunes.

Powerful and efficient H2 engine
The 2013 Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 is motivated by a 951cc, 4-stroke, SOHC V-twin engine that combines power and efficiency. How? The company's ''Pentroof Hemispherical Combustion Chamber'' provides the power advantages of a hemispherical design plus the efficiency of electronic fuel injection and four valves per cylinder.

The engine uses a Duramatic automatic CVT with high/low range to drive all four wheels or just the rear ones. As a matter of fact, you can switch from 2WD to 4WD on the fly when you need to get out of tough spots. And if the going gets tougher, simply hit the switch again to engage the front differential lock.

The engine uses a Duramatic automatic CVT with high/low range to drive all four wheels or just the rear ones.(Photo: Arctic Cat)

Alien chassis stands tall
The ''exoskeleton'' chassis of the 2013 Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 is said to be both extremely strong and lightweight thanks to large-diameter tubes with a relatively thin wall. The double A-arm front suspension offers 17 inches of travel, while the 5-link rear suspension provides an industry-leading 18 inches of travel.

Together with 13 inches of ground clearance and premium Walker Evans shocks featuring 16-position compression and spring preload adjusters, the 2013 Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 will allow riders to go almost anywhere over almost anything -- rocks, logs and other big obstacles.

Off-road performance is further enhanced by 14'' Duro Kaden tires that use a specially designed tread pattern for channelling dirt, mud and sand out and away.

Control and convenience
Other highlights of the 2013 Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 include an electronically controlled power steering with variable assist, LED headlights and taillights, a rear cargo box with a 300 lb payload, and a race-inspired cockpit with high-back bucket seats. You can even add a hard top with dual tinted sunroofs.

Meanwhile, the instrument panel allows you to switch between digital and analog modes displaying vital indicators: speedometer, tachometer, clock, hour meter, fuel gauge, odometer/trip meter, gear position, front differential lock, battery condition, temperature and oil pressure.

In other news, a more upscale model joins the lineup for 2013. The Wildcat 1000 Limited adds automotive-style paint with exclusive colours and graphics, standard front and rear aluminum bumpers, and two-tone, colour-matched seats -- a great way to stand out on the trail.

In Canada, the 2013 Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 comes with a base MSRP of $18,799. Consider it along with the aforementioned Maverick plus the Polaris RZR XP 900.

In Canada, the 2013 Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 comes with a base MSRP of $18,799.(Photo: Artic Cat)