Can-Am Unveils the Spyder Turbo Concept Trike at Daytona

As Editor In Chief Cook said in his First Ride review of the 2015 Spyder F3 (click here to read Spyder F3 First Ride), trikes are different. But as Can-Am continues to spice up their reverse-trike lineup with cruiser ergos, aggressive bodywork and murdered-out paint schemes, a steady trickle of hardcore motorcyclists are becoming trike-curious. Another fact that Can-Am designers seem to be keenly aware of is that the way to a motorcyclist's heart is to feed our hunger for performance. Enter the latest concept revealed today at Daytona by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP): the Spyder F3 Turbo, a vehicle that leverages the company's Rotax technology to unleash the ability to perform controlled rear-tire drifts.

"It's a privilege to welcome BRP to the Daytona International Speedway family with its Can-Am brand," said Joie Chitwood III, Daytona International Speedway President. "Can-Am is a great brand to have here with us to kick off the NASCAR season and Daytona even helped inspire a concept vehicle which we unveiled here today for all our fans to see."

This vehicle, powered by a Rotax 1330cc turbocharged and intercooled engine, goes from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.3 seconds and does a quarter-mile (0.4 km) in 12.3 seconds. It also features SPORT mode that allows for controlled rear tire drifts. With this concept – which is not planned for production – BRP’s Can-Am brand brings its excitement, performance and innovative technology to NASCAR fans.

“BRP’s Rotax engineers challenged themselves to develop a turbo version of the Can-Am Spyder F3 engine, which resulted in this high-performance vehicle. Our team then fine-tuned everything to unleash its potential,” said Rénald Plante, director, Can-Am Spyder engineering. “This concept showcases the advantages of a Y-frame design, such as a lower center of gravity, the ability to drift and superb tire grip during aggressive cornering.”

“As a first-year sponsor in NASCAR, BRP is injecting its rich heritage of powersports design and innovation into race culture,” said Anne Bélec, senior vice-president, Global Brand, PAC and Information Systems. “This sponsorship is a great opportunity for us to share our line-up of Can-Am on- and off-road models with NASCAR fans, whose values of excellence echo ours.”

The Can-Am brand is the entitlement sponsor of the Can-Am Duel At Daytona, as well as the Can-Am 500 in Phoenix in November. Additionally, in association with Kappa Clothing and Cyclops Gear Cameras, BRP is a primary sponsor of the #32 GoFAS NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing team featuring drivers Jeffrey Earnhardt and Bobby Labonte, as well as Alex Labbé in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series in Canada.

BRP will display its full line of innovation-driven Can-Am products, including the turbocharged Can-Am Spyder concept, as well as Can-Am ATVs, side-by-side vehicles and Can-Am Spyder roadsters at track Midway areas throughout the season, including Daytona International Speedway. Area BRP dealers will also host events where fans can see the latest models.

With BRP's new Can-Am NASCAR sponsorship in mind, the company set out to create a one-of-a-kind, race-inspired turbocharged Can-Am Spyder concept vehicle using cutting-edge Rotax technology found in high-performance engines such as the Can-Am Maverick TURBO and the 300-horsepower Sea-Doo RXP-X.

At first, BRP challenged its counterparts at Rotax – a subsidiary of BRP – to develop a turbo version of the acclaimed Rotax 1330 Can-Am Spyder F3 engine. From there, BRP took the power plant in-house and fine-tuned it to unleash its potential.

The result is a turbocharged and intercooled Rotax 1330cc engine that generates a claimed 150hp and takes this concept vehicle from 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and does a quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds.

To assist with the boosted acceleration, the Can-Am Spyder concept vehicle also features a SPORT mode that allows for controlled rear tire drifts. Both the turbo and the SPORT mode are firsts for Can-Am Spyder, which together provide a combination that increases the fun factor of the ride.

From a design perspective, there are multiple elements that showcase this vehicle’s racing inspiration. Highlights include racing slicks, a specially-designed Akrapovic 3-to-3 straight pipe exhaust, FOX high-performance shocks, an oversized hood and air intake, a NASCAR-inspired front spoiler and a Circuit Yellow paint scheme with race graphics. This concept vehicle showcases BRP commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology. As a first-year NASCAR sponsor, it is also a great way to inject BRP rich, performance-driven heritage into race culture. The concept vehicle will be on display with other Can-Am products at NASCAR races throughout the season.