Who makes Can-Am engines

So, who actually builds the engines for Can-Am? It's BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), a Canadian outfit based out of Valcourt, Quebec. They design and put together most of their engines themselves, but honestly, it gets a bit complicated depending on what vehicle you're talking about. For the big dogs—like the Maverick, Commander, and Renegade—BRP cranks out their Rotax ACE engines at their own factories. But for some of the cheaper, entry-level stuff, they've gone to outside suppliers. Mainly Rotax (which is actually owned by BRP anyway) and, way back, Kymco for some kiddie models.

Let's dig into the details for each major Can-Am product line, cause it's not as simple as you might think.

Who manufactures the Rotax engine for Can-Am?

The Rotax name is basically the only game in town for anything mid-range or higher on a Can-Am. Rotax is a BRP subsidiary, and they've been making engines since like 1920. They've got plants in Gunskirchen, Austria, and Juarez, Mexico. For Can-Am, they build the ACE and V-Twin engine families. These aren't just some off-the-shelf motors you can grab anywhere—they're purpose-built for BRP's specific chassis and performance goals. The result? A powerful, clean-burning engine that just doesn't quit in nasty off-road conditions.

Are Can-Am engines made by BRP or a third party?

For almost every Can-Am you'll see, the engine comes from BRP through their Rotax division. It's all vertically integrated, you know, they control the whole chain. But there are two exceptions worth mentioning:

• Can-Am Maverick X3: This beast uses a Rotax 900 ACE Turbo motor, designed and built entirely by BRP/Rotax. No shortcuts here.
• Can-Am Outlander and Renegade youth models (50cc, 90cc): These smaller engines used to come from Kymco (a Taiwanese company) to keep costs down and meet safety rules for kids. Lately, BRP's been shifting some of that back in-house to Rotax.

For any current adult model—Commander, Maverick, Outlander, Renegade, Spyder—you're getting a BRP/Rotax engine, period.

What type of engines does Can-Am use?

Can-Am mostly sticks with two engine designs, both from Rotax:

• Rotax ACE (Advanced Combustion Efficiency): A 4-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, either single or triple cylinder. Comes in 600cc, 900cc, and 1000cc sizes. Lots of low-end grunt and decent fuel economy. You'll find these in Outlander and Renegade models.
• Rotax V-Twin: A 90-degree V-twin, also 4-stroke and liquid-cooled. Available in 1000cc and 1200cc. Used in Commander and Maverick models. Big horsepower and that classic V-twin rumble.

All the current engines meet EPA and CARB emissions stuff, and they're built to handle high altitudes and extreme temperatures.

Can-Am engine manufacturing locations

These engines aren't all made in the same place, which is kinda interesting. Here's where they come from:

Can-Am engine reliability and warranty

BRP gives you a standard 6-month warranty (you can stretch it to 24 months) and they've got a pretty solid rep for reliability. The Rotax ACE engines are known for going a long time between services—every 100 hours or 12 months—and maintenance isn't crazy expensive. But some folks say the V-Twin engines are picky about fuel, needing premium to run right. Overall, owners seem happy, especially with the power and torque these things put out.

Frequently Asked Questions