The Dream Makers - Inside Can-Am

We receive press reports on new products, race results, and industry events every day, but the ones we find most interesting are the reports covering advanced technology and continuing product development. Usually they come from small companies with a couple creative and free thinking engineers, diligently working away in obscurity on something that is their passion, until one day they discover a solution, or a new way to solve an old problem.

CAN-AM knows this passion, and they've got the free thinking, creative engineering teams dedicated to research and problem solving, not unlike the small groups working away in obscurity. Of all the major OEMS, we receive far more product development news from them than any other. These guys must dream it! BRP is no small company however. Their products are everywhere and cover just about every form of transportation including boats, snowmobiles, high speed trains, racing karts, jet aircraft, and our favorite, the CAN-AM atvs.The DS 450 is a perfect example of BRP engineering and technology applied to other products. In this case, advanced aircraft technology was adapted for the aluminum frame and castings of the DS 450 ATV chassis.

We love to ride, but we're always interested in learning the design and development details on every model as well, and we usually have a lot of questions. Luckily, Chaz Rice from CAN-AM had the answers.

ATVI: Thank you for giving us an inside look at CAN-AM and BRP technology Chaz! Does each division of BRP, CAN-AM, Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, have their own development teams for chassis, engine, etc, and if so, is the knowledge shared between?

No problem at all. I am glad to help. Usually, there is a specific engineering team dedicated to the development of a particular machine. That team comprises of other engineering teams and individuals who will work on specific areas of the machine: engine, chassis, suspension, electrical, etc. A lot of the technologies we develop on one machine usually finds a way into another platform. Advanced engineering design doesn't stop at a team developing a snowmobile for Ski-Doo, for instance. The Ski-Doo teams are always communicating with the other engineering teams and information is always shared to improve BRP products year after year.

ATVI: The CAN-AM division is obviously the ATV – and UTV – group we're most familiar with, and they've never followed the traditional ATV models already on the market. We're thinking Visco-Lok, Trailing Arm rear suspension, SST chassis, etc. What inspired such a radically different chassis, and what are the advantages? We love the smooth ride!The advanced aluminum chassis from a SKI-DOO snowmobile

We don't innovate for the sake of innovating; rather we always strive to make sure our products serve the rider. For the ATV side, it is the enthusiast. It's the guy who is always thinking about riding, whether it is with his friends or family. To borrow a line from our advertising, we know "The Ride Says It All" and we live it from the CEO on down across every department.

Talking specifically about the Surrounding Spar Technology Frame, when it was first conceived, we didn't want to revolutionize the ATV chassis, we simply wanted to create a lighter, stronger frame for our ATVs. Our engineers worked long hours looking at how we could shave weight from the frame and it became more and more logical to completely eliminate the traditional tubular steel concept in favor of our SST technology. So not only is it strong enough for rugged riding on the ATV, but it is lighter allowing for that smoother ride you feel.
It doesn't stop there, however. We bring many things to the industry. The DS 450 EFI features many innovative features: an advanced twin-pyramidal ALTEC aluminum frame with no-welds, an innovative front hub design with inversed brake calipers, etc. Not to mention our TTI rear suspension on Outlander and Renegade models that eliminates rear wheel scrub and delivers a smooth ride. There are many, many innovative features we bring to the ATV industry.

ATVI: Where does that ability to venture far from the beaten development path come from? Are the engineering people just non-conformists? LOL!The Renegade and Outlander models feature the unique SST chassis and a smooth riding trailing arm rear suspension

I am not sure it is a matter of being non-conformists. From my experience with BRP engineers, it is more of a drive to improve our products. I don't think our engineering teams are any different than engineering teams throughout the industry in that way. However, we are an enthusiast company and from the VP of Engineering on down, everyone is passionate about our products. That is where we are different, our engineers are out on the weekends enjoying our products and bringing that perspective to the table.

ATVI: BRP has a very tight relationship with ROTAX, one of the world's premier engine producers. What is the nature of that relationship? Are they a division of BRP, or partially owned by BRP?

In 1962 the first Rotax engines started to appear in Ski-Doo snowmobiles. In 1970, BRP acquired the Austrian company Lohnerwerke GmbH and its subsidiary, Rotax-Werk (known today as BRP-Rotax), manufacturers of Rotax engines. So you can see our relationship has been around for a long time. Rotax is a key component to the success of the BRP product line.

ATVI: Do your engine development teams and Rotax teams work together, or does Rotax perform their own development work, and BRP simply specs out what they want to use, whether for sled, ATV, or watercraft?

We have teams in both North America and Europe who work closely together developing engines for a specific project. It is the same across all product lines. Rotax engineers in Austria are continually working to improve engine power, efficiency and design. It is a very close relationship between the development teams.Some places are company towns, but in this picture it appears the ROTAX engine plant IS the town.

ATVI: Why is so much advanced engine development work done either in Europe of Japan? Are those parts of the planet more advanced in engine work, or do more stringent requirements in Europe require it?

That is a good question. For sure there are engines being developed throughout the world. However, I think it is just the timeline we are in right now with this industry.

ATVI: While most OEMS have almost completely abandoned work on two-stroke engines due to emissions standards, with the E-TEC engines BRP found a solution to the problem. What are primary advantages to two-stroke engines? Manufacturing must certainly be much more efficient and less costly than building a four stroke...

Yes and no. This is a very complicated question and one that elicits passion on both sides of the debate. Each engine design has its advantages and disadvantages depending on how you are approaching the application of that particular engine. Our E-TEC line of two-stroke engines are very efficient with unmatched fuel economy, oil consumption and have the lowest EPA normalized emission rate in its class. Obviously we are extremely proud of that. However, we are developing lightweight four-stroke engines as well, like the recently unveiled Rotax 600 H.O. E-TEC Advanced Combustion Efficiency (ACE) four-stroke.

ATVI: What are the disadvantages to two-stroke engines that four-stroke motors overcome?If dirt, snow, or water isn't your thing, BRP would be happy to fix you up with a Lear Jet. You'll still need a pilot, chilled champagne, and an exotic girlfriend named Ivanna, but if you've got this BRP ride in your fleet, it won't be a problem.

Looking at it from just the ATV racing side, the feedback is the ease of riding because of the lower-end torque and powerband.

ATVI: Recently BRP introduced a 600cc 4 stroke engine called the ACE. Are you now going in two directions with engine development, hedging your bets per se, and is there still a future for two stroke engines at BRP?

Not hedging bets at all. We constantly look to improve both our four-stroke and two-stroke line of engines to give our customers a wide range of choice when looking at our Ski-Doo snowmobiles.

ATVI: Development work often travels in wide circular patterns. With their lighter weight, instant power, and cost effective manufacturing and maintenance, do you see two-strokes one day again becoming the premier power source for sleds, ATVs, watercraft etc as new materials and technology are developed?

Unfortunately I cannot comment on future engine development.

ATVI: There are a lot of people who can't do their own work on a temperamental, modern day 450cc four stroke, and they also can't afford to fix it if the unthinkable happens. Does this make a case for two-strokes? The public wanted 4-strokes, but is it now a case of "be careful what you ask for"?

I think a customer has to take many things into account when making a purchase. The demand for four-stroke engines is high in the ATV industry.

ATVI: Thank you for answering all our questions Chaz! We'd love to ask more sometime, but we better let the development guys get back to what they do best!

I am glad I could help shed some light into what we do here at BRP! Thanks for the opportunity.