Ran out of room on the 1st post so here is part 2
12- Hood is super easy and fast to take off compared to the old style.
13 - Motor looks like it is lower and tilted back a bit more, didn't measure it but had the hood off it and my 15' and it sure looks like it is.
14- Rails are trimmed down for weight savings (hope they are still strong, had the new and old skid side x side and there are lots of differences, More curved rails on 18', Lower cross shaft hieght, cut down rails at the back, 2 less idler wheels, front idler wheels are moved ahead, track adjuster bolt is now a Torx screw (Sh!tty) "H" arms don't have corner gussets. Lots of this stuff is for weight savings, hopefully its still tuff.
15 - Heat exchanger in the tunnel is 2 strips now instead of one big one.
16 - The narrow running board seem good. I had the Cat narrow tube ones on my 15' .
17 - My sled has the LED headlight and its brighter than the one on my 15', nice white light when we rode out in the dark the 1st day.
18 - New gauge WAY BETTER, I already have used this gauge lots as I have a 14' Sno Pro 6000 C-Tec
19 - Brake rotor is larger and it has a way lighter pull to achieve the same stopping power.
20- Drop and roll drive shaft hangs WAY down under the tunnel, I know its a performance increase, just hope I don't kill it on a stump or rock.
21 - Drive shaft is steel, looks the same as my 15'
22 - Best part - The motor, if this turns out to be as good as my 6000 c-Tec, Then they have built the best 2 stroke motors PERIOD.
In summary, 2 things I didn't like at all, 3" track and handle bar hieght, both just personal preferance. The rest is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
Can't believe Cat doesn't give much for details on all the changes they have done, this truly is a NEW SLED.