16 • July 2023 • Powersports Business

BRP has been recognized with four new Red Dot Awards , adding to its collection of over 160 international honors received in design and innovation . The Lynx Shredder , Manitou Cruise , Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS and Sea-Doo Explorer models attracted attention this year .

“ Each day , the BRP design and innovation team in Canada , Europe and the U . S . uses its creativity , expertise and unique vision to design products that change the paradigms of our industry and redefine the future of mobility ,” says Denys Lapointe , chief design officer at BRP . “ We strive to constantly provide increasingly innovative solutions for the current and future needs of our consumers to provide them with unparalleled experiences .”

LYNX SHREDDER Inspired by the Finnish word " sisu ", the Lynx Shredder ' s rugged yet lightweight DNA pays homage to Scandinavian design . With no equivalent word in English , " sisu " is an action-oriented mindset that refers to stoic determination , hardiness , courage , willpower and resilience . With this philosophy in mind , the design team was challenged to deliver a

The Red Dot Awards competition focuses on design , quality and innovation , and recognized BRP for its Lynx Shredder , Manitou Cruise , Ski-Doo MXZ-RS and Sea-Doo Explorer . Photo courtesy of BRP minimalist and lighter machine while offering the precision and control required for playing in deep snow .

MANITOU CRUISE The new Manitou Cruise models bring a paradigm shift by redefining decades of pontoon design codes . Almost entirely made of recyclable materials , it stands out with a bold and innovative design that combines modernity , luxury and functionality . The result of close collaboration between the engineering , research and development , and design and innovation teams , many of the Manitou Cruise ' s strengths are made possible by the Rotax S outboard engine .

The Rotax S , with stealth technology , not only gives consumers greater peace of mind because of its hidden position under the boat , but also transforms the design of the Manitou Cruise by maximizing usable space on board and reducing noise and vibration . Spacious and comfortable , the Manitou Cruise features folding seats and three-in-one bench seating for a customizable layout .

SKI-DOO MXZ X-RS The Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS allows seasoned riders to experience adventures that are unforgettable and responsible . Visibility has been greatly improved for safer riding thanks to the signature " two-eye " LED lights . The product is equipped with an industry-first Smart-Shox suspension that instantly analyzes the terrain and adjusts to provide ideal suspension response for maximum comfort and stability .

SEA-DOO EXPLORER The Sea-Doo Explorer is the first watercraft designed specifically for people seeking adventure and discovery on the water . The design team focused on ergonomics , protection from the elements , storage and efficiency on board .

An industry first removable windshield and the bumper add a touch of originality to the Sea-Doo ’ s traditional look and functionality . With the padded seat , knee pads and adjustable handlebars , adventurers who relish long expeditions will enjoy unparalleled comfort and a pleasant ride in a variety of positions . Storage space has also been optimized for better functionality , and the windshield has been designed to protect from water projection towards the driver , while allowing for extended usage during colder days .

The Red Dot Awards is one of the world ’ s largest design competitions , focused on design , quality and innovation . Red Dot ' s panel of approximately 40 experts carefully evaluate each product . Over the years , BRP has been recognized with 51 Red Dot Awards .

The hydrofoil startup company Boundary Layer Technologies recently unveiled the completion of the alpha prototype of its Valo Hyperfoil vehicle .

“ This is a major milestone , and we did this in just six months . It really proves that a small vehicle like this allows hyper-fast engineering iteration , getting us to market faster ,” says CEO Ed Kearney .

" It ’ s near silent , with the only sounds being the splash of the water on the struts , the wind in your hair , and a barely perceptible hum from the electric motor ,” notes Kearney . “ When you ride it , it really feels like this is the future .”

Boundary Layer Technologies is a marine technology startup backed by the accelerator Y Combinator , Fifty Years , as well as Chris Sacca ' s Lower Carbon Capital and former Meta CTO Mike Schroepfer . Their mission is to build the future of water transportation by using hydrofoil technology .

According to the company , the alpha prototype demonstrates all the key technologies required to put the Valo Hyperfoil into production , specifically the Skyride flight autonomy software . It is what keeps the vessel stable , straight , level and at the ideal height above the water .

“ Everyone on the team knew a foiling personal watercraft like this would be exciting to ride , but we really had no idea it would be this fun . The closest analogy is like skiing in deep powder snow ,” says CTO Reo Baird , who joined the company in January after previously being CTO of foil boat company Navier .

The company also announced that it sold more than $ 2.7 million worth of inventory of the Valo Hyperfoil , which is three times more vehicles than they planned to make in the first production run .

“ We are laser-focused on delivering the first run of founders edition vehicles to our customers starting at the end of this year ,” says Baird .

Kearney says that hydrofoil technology is going to revolutionize the entire powerboat market by increasing the range of electric powerboats .

Boundary Layer Technologies has released a rendering of its Valo Hyperfoil watercraft , which the company has already sold $ 2.7 million in pre-orders . Photo courtesy of Boundary Layer Technologies

Alex Teng , an investor in the company , says he is excited about the new direction and progress . “ Not only is this first product in a league of its own , but the core tech also has the potential to totally decarbonize watercraft ."