Meet the 2027 Polaris 850 Switchback® Assault® 146 - Escape IFS in ****—a crossover snowmobile that looks like it was built to blur the line between “just taking the trail” and “accidentally finding yourself on top of the next ridge because the powder looked too tempting.”
At the heart of the fun is the liquid-cooled **Patriot™ 840cc** 2-cylinder, 2-stroke engine. It’s a horizontal in-line twin with reed valves and **fuel injection**, designed to deliver crisp response when you press that thumb throttle. Whether you’re firing it up with the **electric start** or going old-school with the **pull start**, it’s ready for regular fuel and oil-injected convenience—because the best rides are the ones you don’t have to overthink. Power flows through a **CVT** with belt drive, backed by a **P-85 / TEAM LWT** clutch setup and **reverse** for the moments when the “great idea” line is behind you.
This sled’s personality really shows in how it moves. Up front, the **Escape** independent A-arm suspension delivers **9 inches of travel**, tuned for that confident, planted feel when the trail gets choppy or the pace picks up. Out back, the **IGX** rear suspension brings **16 inches of travel**, working with a trio of **WER® Velocity adjustable gas shocks with remote reservoirs** (front, rear, and center). Translation: you’ve got adjustment on tap and the kind of control that makes you want to stay out longer—because “one more loop” is never just one more loop.
The 146-inch **Cobra Track** is the sweet spot for a true crossover attitude: long enough to bite and drive, agile enough to keep things playful. With a **15-inch width** and **1.6-inch lugs**, it’s built to hook up when you drop off the groomed line and start drawing your own route. Up front, **Gripper® composite skis** with **carbide** skags help keep the steering precise, while the adjustable ski stance (from **39 to 41 inches**) lets you dial in how nimble—or how locked-in—you want it to feel.
The MATRYX aluminum frame ties it all together with a purposeful, rider-forward feel, while details like **tunnel braces**, a **belt guard**, **hand guards**, a **snow guard**, and **skid-resistant** running boards show that it’s made for real winter use, not just showroom admiration. It’s a single-seat, one-piece vinyl setup—simple, secure, and ready for aggressive stand-up riding when the terrain demands it.
And because modern rides deserve modern tools, this Switchback Assault comes with **RIDE COMMAND™ GPS**, **mobile app instrumentation**, and **Bluetooth® audio**—so you can keep track of where you’re going (and how you got there) without killing the vibe. Add in LED lighting, a low tinted windshield, a fuel gauge, and a temperature warning light, plus **adjustable heated grips**, and you’ve got the kind of comfort that quietly extends your season and your stamina.
Finished in ****, it doesn’t just show up—it announces itself. It’s the sled for riders who like their trails fast, their off-trail detours frequent, and their winter stories just a little hard to believe (until someone sees the track marks).
