Meet the 2027 Polaris 850 Switchback® Assault® 146 - Escape IFS in ****—a crossover snowmobile that looks as ready for mischief as it is for mileage. It’s the kind of machine that makes you scan the horizon for the next line, the next drift, the next excuse to stay out “one more loop” before heading back.
At the heart of the fun is the **Patriot™ 840cc** liquid-cooled, **2-cylinder, 2-stroke** engine with **fuel injection**—a crisp, modern setup that keeps response sharp when you’re working the thumb throttle and living in that sweet spot between trail speed and off-trail play. With **electric start** (and **pull** backup), it’s ready when you are, and it’s happy on **regular** fuel thanks to **gas/oil injection**. Power runs through a **CVT** with **belt drive**, paired with **P-85 / TEAM LWT** clutching and the confidence boost of **reverse** for those “well, that looked easier from over there” moments.
Built on the **MATRYX aluminum frame**, this sled keeps things purposeful: **125 inches** long, **47 inches** wide, and **51 inches** tall, with a **494 lb** dry weight that feels eager to change direction. The stance is adjustable from **39 to 41 inches**, letting you tune the feel for your kind of riding—whether you like it planted and precise or a little more playful when the snow gets weird.
Up front, the **Escape** independent **A-arm** suspension delivers **9 inches** of travel, and the real grin-factor comes when you start dialing in the ride with **WER® Velocity** adjustable gas shocks with **remote reservoirs**. Out back, the **IGX** rear suspension brings **16 inches** of travel with **two rear shocks**, plus a matching **WER® Velocity** center shock—also adjustable, also remote-reservoir—because your trail can go from smooth to choppy in one corner, and your setup should be able to keep up.
And then there’s the track: a **Cobra Track** at **146 x 15 inches** with **1.6-inch** lugs. That’s the sweet spot for a crossover personality—enough footprint to bite when the trail ends, and enough attitude to make the next shortcut look like a perfectly reasonable decision. Steering is manual with handlebar control, and the front end rides on **Gripper® composite skis** with **carbide** skags to help you hold a line when the trail firms up.
Comfort and control are handled with the details you’ll appreciate on a long day: **heated, adjustable driver grips**, **hand guards**, and a **low tinted LED** setup up front. The cockpit keeps you informed without killing the vibe, thanks to **RIDE COMMAND™ GPS** plus warnings for temperature (light) and fuel level (gauge). Want your soundtrack along for the ride? You’ve got **Bluetooth® audio** and **mobile app instrumentation** to keep things connected while you stay focused on what matters—snow, throttle, and the next turn.
It’s all tied together with practical toughness: **skid-resistant** running boards, **tunnel braces**, a **belt guard**, and a **snow guard**, plus a clean one-up layout with a **one-piece vinyl** driver seat. Braking is handled by the **Matryx Stealth** system with a **hydraulic disc** rear brake—because when you’re riding a sled that begs you to push a little farther, it’s nice to know you can reel it back in smoothly.
In ****, this Switchback® Assault® doesn’t just blend into winter—it shows up with purpose, ready to turn ordinary trail time into the kind of day you’ll be talking about long after the snow melts.
