The 2009 Yamaha FX Nytro RTX SE is bad. Not bad like spoiled milk or bad like Nissan's horrible attempt at stealing away our xB-lovin' hearts. Bad like the way you feel while tearing down a ski slalom in a fresh Audi S4 or hauling hard on an impromptu dragway riding the back of a 400-some-odd horsepower unicycle with nothing more than a torn Skynyrd tee to save your hide. Hot, naughty, evil.

The RTX SE is a rough and tumble war sled. It's classified "rough trail," which is a generalized way of saying you can take it off of huge jumps and it won't bat a single muscular eyelash. The technology used to design the 2009 model is derived directly from Yamaha's snow racing team. The 121" long track, which is the shortest of the three lengths available on Yamaha sleds, lends itself to wicked turn-in at the slightest twitch of the bar, whereas the longer 136" and 144" tracks on the poof-grade sleds are designed to bridge bumps and float on deep powder. Being a racer replica and not a true race sled, you've got the convenience of grip heaters, squishy seat and wide running boards. This all adds up to a fast, nimble machine that tries to kill you every turn in sweet, warm comfort.

With the RTX SE being totally geared towards big jumps, sharp turns and other Snocross-flavored bits, we promptly took it through the extremely deep powder offered only by northern Michigan's outback fields in the dead middle of January.

A quick aside regarding traction: Among knowledgeable car aficionados, it's widely agreed that tires are the most important feature on a race car. A simple change between tread patterns or compounds can make the difference between a winning effort and a hot trip to Armco Town, USA. Much of the same goes for the rubber track situated underneath all snowmobiles. Yamaha decided to name their new multi-use tread pattern, co-developed with Canadian plastics company Camoplast, the "Camoplast® Rip Saw™." We think it sounds more like how you'd describe a naked, bloodied Christian Bale running full tilt down an apartment building corridor wielding a screaming chainsaw while chasing after his rented lover just after she discovered his collection of fractured bodies, but it's not a bad name for a tread, either. What we'll now call the Christian Bale® Death Tread™ enables you to do is tackle far more diverse snow types than previously thought possible. This marketing hype actually plays out true, for once, as the RTX SE doesn't bog once through the insurmountably deep powder, even after multiple stops and reversals. This is generally impossible for a 121" tracked sled as they usually sink far quicker than they can propel themselves forward.

The ergonomics of the RTX SE are purposefully designed to keep the rider in a standing position over the engine during all aggressive riding. This perfectly balanced arrangement leads to unparalleled rotation and control in exactly the direction of your lean. Control doesn't mean invincibility, as an improper shift towards the outside of the turn will flip your entire show over with rabid efficiency.

The 130HP three-cylinder four-stroke engine promptly shuts up any two-stroking fanboys stuck in the smelly past. We actually witnessed a couple of supposed gas-oil mixing die-hards converted on the spot once they played with the gobs of torque provided by the new fuel injected mill. With the proper lean and a willful twist of the throttle, one can pull a full drift from barely a crawl. Added bonus: When you flip a fuel injected sled, it doesn't piss gas all over itself, unlike those rocking a carbuerator. Ask us how we know. Better yet, ask Kyle and Alex down below in the photo credits about their personal inverted experiences.

At a hefty $11,599, we find it hard to justify any new snowmobile when the window of usable winter is so short. The money would be better spent on a 2009 Zero X that you can enjoy all year. For those in the far north (We're looking at you, Canada) that enjoy snowmobiles as necessary transportation for most of the year, the fresh line of Yamaha four-strokes simply can't be beat. The RTX SE, while still commute-ready, offers a raucous and ripping ride on just about any surface.

Photo Credit: Alex "Cat Lady" Conley and Kyle "Dangerzone" Conner

The last 2009 Audi S4 ad we saw was of a skier skiing down the streets of San Fransisco, all done in the tube and with a green screen of course. Our resident Audi-lover, Mr. Wojdyla, questioned Audi's usage of mystical special effects and we're wondering if they in fact listened to him.

They've now produced this killer clip of the S4 racing a downhill skier through a snowy slalom course. How cool its that? Of course they had to throw in the; "Look, a pair of skis fit in the trunk" moment, but we forgive them although we wonder why the S4 couldn't beat the skier. If you're listening Audi, next time, make the car win. Remember, that's what you're trying to sell here. We still love ya.
(Hat Tip to Mobilehavoc!)

[via YouTube]

Internet V-Dubber Isgro was on the scene at his company's HQ when one of the machines tasked with relocating snow lost it off of a small embankment on the side of the parking lot. No word on how or why this pricey device flew off into the snowy wastes, but stay posted for the extraction pictures if they turn up.

[VWVortex]

Time: Give yourself plenty of extra time for getting to your destination. Speed limits are for perfect, dry conditions. On winter's icy roadways, half the speed limit may be suicide.

Vision: Take the time to clear all windows of snow, ice or fog before starting out. Also clear any snow off the hood - it comes loose when driving.

Lights: Even though you can see, drive with low-beam headlights in snow, fog or just winter murk. Keep all lenses free of dirt by wiping them periodically. Dirty headlights can cut visibility by 50 percent or more. Don't forget the directional lights, taillights and rotating lights.

Tires: Be sure your tires have adequate tread for traction in snow and to reduce the risk of hydroplaning in rain or puddles on the road. You may hear that putting extra weight in the trunk or truck bed gives better traction. Traction might be helped a little but at the expense of steering control and longer stopping distance. Likewise, you may hear that reducing tire pressure is another way of increasing traction. Reducing air pressure will not give you more traction and your tires could become seriously underinflated, affecting steering. Keep in mind that every time the outside temperature drops 10 degrees, the tire air pressure goes down about one pound per square inch. Remember too that underinflated tires are the major cause of tire failure.

Ice/Freezing Rain: At 30 degrees ice is twice as slippery as it is at 0 degrees. It also forms first and lasts longer on bridges and in the shade. If you hit an unexpected patch, don't try to brake, accelerate or downshift. Let up on your accelerator and let your vehicle "roll" through the slippery area. When freezing rain is occurring resulting in icing conditions, please pull over to the side of the road until the road has been treated with sand and salt.

Skidding: If you go into a skid, act quickly by taking your foot off the accelerator. Keep your foot off the brake and steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding. In other works, if you want your vehicle to go right, turn right. If you want it to go left, turn left. Hold the steering wheel firmly, but don't make large turns. Use a light touch to correct the swerve.

Braking: Your owner's manual will usually recommend the braking technique most effective for your car. For front and rear wheel drive vehicles with disc or drum brakes the National Safety council recommends the following procedure: Squeeze your brakes with a slow, steady pressure until just before they lock. When you feel them start to lock, ease off until your wheels are rolling; then squeeze again.

Following Distance: Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice. If you are being followed too closely, maintain an extra distance behind the vehicle ahead so that you can slow down or brake gradually. Be prepared to adjust speed and /or stop to avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of you. Plan ahead when approaching intersections to that braking can be done smoothly.

Stay on the Beaten Path: Stay in line when traveling to or from a snow zone. Don't blaze your own trail, especially going downhill - you'll only manage to create a worse situation. You'll even clog the only open space emergency snow vehicles can travel.

Walking on Ice or Snow: After being in a warm vehicle, the soles of shoes or boots are warm enough to melt snow or ice, creating a film of water between the sole and the snow or ice surface. Be especially cautious for the first five minutes after leaving the vehicle. When walking on snow or ice, use short steps and keep your hands out of your pockets. These factors will help you maintain your balance. If you do fall, tuck your arms close to your body and roll with the fall.

Stay Clear of Plows and Sanders: Watch out for these vehicles as you round corners, curbs, etc. They do not travel at a high speed; therefore, you'll tend to come up on them quickly. Slow down. Plows and sanders will pull over periodically to let traffic pass. It's risky to pass on the left of a snowplow because of blowing snow. Never pass on the right. Flying rock can damage your car if you pass a sander. The best advice is to stay three car lengths behind plows and sanders. [CONN DOT]

Whether or not you think the Himalayan abominable snowman is a hoax, this Yeti is as real as getting capped in the nuts by a sock filled with flour. It's the product of master fabricator Rex Bailey, who built the monster Dodge atop 76" tractor tires and Mercedes Unimog axles. As appointed, the Cummins diesel-powered 3500 can power through snow up to three-feet deep. [Thanks to prplhaze for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli

Samson™ Helps Build Giant Snow Truck [Samson]

Related:
Your Moment of Arctic Zen: The Tankpedition!; Dashing Through the Snow, in a 492 Horse Sled [internal]

Ok, here's the second of three of our powder smothered and covered waffle house hash browns cars of Chicagoland. Help us out here and tell us — what am I? – Ray Wert and Matt Hardigree

Related:
What Am I? Smothered And Covered In Snow, Part 1 [internal]

After last night's snowfall in Chicago and here in Metro Detroit, we've gone and put together some pictures of vehicles smothered and covered by the white powder from the sky. I can only imagine how bad it must be to have to park your vehicle out in an uncovered lot and then have to play the game of "where the hell is my car" before the commute tomorrow. So why don't you help us help three Chicagoland drivers out by telling us — what the hell are these cars? – Ray Wert and Matt Hardigree

Related:
? ? , ? ? , ? ? ! [internal]

Here in New York this year, we've gotten no greater quantity of snow on the ground than during an average Grand Funk Railroad tour circa 1975. That means we've got no first-hand knowledge of the Toyota Prius's handling in the white stuff. But some owners are reporting that slick roads are causing funkiness within Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system. In several cases noted on site ConsumerAffairs, the cars' electric power goes down as soon as the tires detect any loss of traction, sort of like a child learning to ice skate. At issue is the way the car's TRAC traction control reduces power or cuts it altogether. Any Prius owners here tonight? Let's get this problem snorted sorted out. – Mike Spinelli

Prius Shuts Down in the Snow, Reader Complains [ConsumerAffairs]

Related:
Spec'ing the Next-Gen Toyota Prius [internal]

MTU researcher aids deicing project [Mining Journal]
Institute of Snow Research [Michigan Tech]

Related:
Cheeseheads Cheesed at GM Over Brake Recall [internal]

With winter's icy chill starting to make its way across our Northeastern hearts, it's with considerable schadenfreude that we present the first snow-themed Hoon of the Day. Having survived both teenage laziness/stupidity and the backbreaking labor of shoveling a Toyota out of a seven-foot snowdrift, we can stand back and watch as these Hoons figure out that pulling a compact Geo out of a snowbank isn't as easy as roping it up to a pickup. Brains must also be engaged. [Thanks to James for the tip.]

How not to get a car out of the snow [Streetfire.net]

Related:
More Hoons [internal]

Designer James Moon's concept snow tracker, called Ninety Degrees South, could be the ultimate niche vehicle. It's projected as an extreme SUV (the first letter standing for "scientist's") that can travel over Antarctica's unique terrain of rocks and snow. A novel interplay of tracks and wheels, driven by a high-efficiency diesel engine, makes the two-person NDS ideally suited for expeditions on that southmost of continents. Even cooler (heh heh) is its mechanical shotgun-rider, a pathfinder probe that travels up to 98 feet ahead, guided by GPS, that uses ground-penetrating radar to find dangerous crevasses that could swallow the craft whole.

Super Snowmobile [Popular Mechanics via Transport Trends]

Related:
Swedish Snowmonster Custom Can Really Plow [internal]