Grant: Automotive Partnership Canada Project

A new breed of hybrid vehicle will be developed and incorporated as part of Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) Can-Am product family. Can-Am roadsters currently produced use conventional high performance gasoline engines, and offer riders an exciting and safe experience. This project proposes to convert these vehicles to hybrid propulsion; hence, creating a new market segment, while developing environmentally conscious technologies and products. An iterative design approach will be followed to develop the hybrid vehicle components, where three different generations of the prototype vehicle and its components will be constructed throughout the four years of the project. The following is the approach that will be undertaken to develop the hybrid roadster and prepare it for manufacturing: 1. Functional product specification: Identify the expected performances, range, cost, ease of use, maintenance and energy consumption of the roadster, based on the customer expectations and current state of the technology; 2. Hybrid propulsion technology identification: The hybrid propulsion systems that are applicable to the roadster will be identified, and the one that satisfies the customers' expectations while remaining energy efficient will be chosen; 3. System components development: There are several system components that will be designed in order to convert the roadster into a hybrid one. A corresponding list of scientific studies will be undertaken concurrently as part of a global design methodology: i) hybrid propulsion components technology and sizing, ii) active thermal management modeling, iii) transmission design, iv) transmission control, v) lightweight vehicle structure, and vi) aerodynamics; 4. Vehicle packaging and system integration: Development of a commercial product will require validation from a performance, reliability, durability and manufacturing perspective. Support from APC will enable BRP to embark with the design of its hybrid roadster while developing new knowledge and technologies for the future. From an original equipment manufacturers (OEM) or supplier point of view, the project will enable them to widen their market into the field of recreational products. The research will be jointly supervised by professors from Université de Sherbrooke and engineers and professionals from BRP. As an important outcome of the proposal, an estimated 20 highly qualified personnel (HQP) will be trained in the four years of the project.