Major Investment of $11.3 M at CTA BRP - UdeS

Development of Hybrid Technology for BRP's Can-Am Spyder Roadster

SHERBROOKE, Canada, December 20, 2010 - The Centre de technologies avancées BRP - Université de Sherbrooke (CTA)
receives $11.3 million in financial support to develop hybrid engine
technology for BRP's Can-Am Spyder roadster. This is the only electric hybrid
roadster development project in the world.

An injection of $6.2 million from the Automotive Partnership Canada
program and $5.1 million from BRP will see the project extend over a
four-year period. Steven Blaney, MP for Lévis-Bellechasse, Suzanne Fortier,
president of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada,
and Guy Lévesque, program director of the Canada Foundation for Innovation
were present for this major announcement, along with Université de
Sherbrooke's principal, Luce Samoisette, and BRP's president and CEO, José
Boisjoli.

First launched in 2007, the Can-Am Spyder roadster is a totally unique
way to experience the freedom of open-air riding. Its distinctive
Y-architecture - two wheels in front, one in back - creates challenges that
push the limits of electric hybrid vehicle technology. "Our mandate is
ambitious and complex," explained Mihai Rasidescu, president and general
manager of the CTA. "Our goal is to develop completely new electric hybrid
technology for a three-wheel vehicle that uses 50% less fuel and reduces
CO(2) emissions by 50% while maintaining its speed, power and performance."

"By deciding to establish R & D centres, BRP confirmed its commitment to
accelerate the development of cleaner and more efficient new technologies,"
stated José Boisjoli, BRP's president and CEO. "The powertrain technologies
used in our snowmobiles, side-by-side vehicles, and outboard engines are
already the best in the industry in terms of fuel consumption, and are
milestones towards our goal of providing consumers with increasingly
eco-performing technology."

The CTA is at the heart of innovation, and the cooperation between the
Université de Sherbrooke and BRP is an unparalleled asset in research and
development projects.

"As included in our strategic plan, Réussir 2010-2015, the University is
reviving its distinctive approach to research and pursuing its commitment to
socio-economic development in the Estrie region and the province," said
principal Luce Samoisette. "Without a doubt this applied research project
will produce a skilled new generation of engineers and have a significant
impact on several levels." Through this initiative, 20 post-graduate students
will become highly trained.

Original design challenges

The project's research team is led by Professor Alain Desrochers from the
Université de Sherbrooke's Mechanical Engineering Department and includes
about 30 people from the University and BRP. The team will need to be
original during the development of the components. The roadster's compact
size alone poses major challenges. Rather than modifying existing hybrid
technology, the researchers will have to design an entirely new propulsion
system.

"Creating a three-wheel vehicle as opposed to a hybrid car poses
significant design challenges that require a very high degree of innovation,"
said professor Desrochers. "These challenges include the lack of space to
accommodate hybrid motorization, cooling problems, aerodynamics, vehicle
weight, and noise. Everything must be studied and modified."

Over the next four years the CTA will produce three generations of
prototypes and their components. The final product must pass the test in
terms of performance, reliability, durability, and economic mass production.
Any technological innovations will be potentially transferable to other types
of vehicles and products.

About the CTA

The Centre de technologies avancées BRP - Université de Sherbrooke (CTA)
is the result of a partnership between BRP and the Université de Sherbrooke.
Its mandate is to develop new cutting-edge technologies in the field of
motorized recreational vehicles. Since it opened in 2006, the CTA has
developed two technologies that have been integrated into BRP products: a
technology used in manufacturing the hulls of the new generation of Sea-Doo
watercraft, and the five-speed semi-automatic transmission available on
Can-Am Spyder roadsters. The CTA currently employs more than 70 researchers
and students, and expects to become self-financing as of 2011.

To access the press kit,
visit:corp.brp.com/en-CA/Media.Center/Press.Releases/1/12.20.2010.htm

For further information: For further information: Sources: Caroline
Dubois, Media Relations Advisor, +1-819-821-8000, ext. 63395,
Caroline.Dubois4@USherbrooke.ca; Valérie Bridger, Communications Advisor,
BRP, +1-450-532-5107, valerie.bridger@brp.com; Information: Prof. Alain
Desrochers, Director of Research, CTA BRP - UdeS, +1-819-821-8000, ext.
66090, Alain.Desrochers@USherbrooke.ca

For further information: For further information: Sources: Caroline Dubois, Media Relations Advisor, +1-819-821-8000, ext. 63395, Caroline.Dubois4 at USherbrooke.ca; Valérie Bridger, Communications Advisor, BRP, +1-450-532-5107, valerie.bridger at brp.com; Information: Prof. Alain Desrochers, Director of Research, CTA BRP - UdeS, +1-819-821-8000, ext. 66090, Alain.Desrochers at USherbrooke.ca