Lausanne, Switzerland, July 7, 2008 – After its official launch at the Le Mans 24 hour race, BRP invited more than 80 journalists from over 15 nationalities to test the benefits of the sequential electronic version (SE-5) of the Can-Am™ Spyder™ roadster against the picture post-card back-drop of the Swiss alps between Lausanne and Gstaad from June 22 to 4 July.
The pilots started their adventure at the wheel of the Spyder roadster in Lausanne on the shores of the Geneva Lake. Setting out for the Bernese Oberland via the corniche and passing through the vineyards of the Canton of Vaud in village scenery which is so typical of Switzerland, the drivers navigated the twists and turns of the road until they reached "the Deck" situated high on its terrace overlooking the lake from where, on a clear day, you can admire the spectacular view stretching from Geneva to Saint-Gingolf. The hair-pin bends of this route prove the worth of the sequential transmission with its quick, smooth gear changes, allowing the pilot to adopt a sporty, dynamic style of driving.
After taking a break in this haven of tranquillity the journalists followed the road down to the Rhône valley as far as Aigle. Once in the valley bottom, the climb started again, this time up the col du Pillon and the drivers quickly appreciated the power and the smoothness of the Spyder roadster which made the ascent effortlessly.
The summit of the col also marks a cultural change for it is here that French-speaking Switzerland meets its German-speaking counter-part. The valley now opened into a spectacular road, sometimes in the shade but always providing exceptional views of the mountain chain which forms the Swiss Alps. In this valley and before the arrival at Gstaad, the pilots have tested the torque of the Spyder roadster and its capacity to go from 0 to 100 km/h in only 4.5 seconds. The journalists, more than happy with their first day at the wheel of the Spyder roadster, relaxed in the evening in the Park Hotel *****, the oldest palace in Gstaad and which has retained its traditional ambiance.
The second day of the tour saw the journalists take the road towards the Chateau d'Oex, a valley with more picture postcard scenery which is dotted with chalets with their shingled roofs and its valley bottom filled by the turbulent water of the Sarine. This valley provided a range of different itineraries allowing the balance and stability of the Spyder roadster’s Y-architecture to be appreciated in full. The next stop for the pilots was in Gruyère where the shady terraces of the cafés in the village square provided a perfect place to relax after several hours on the road. The road back to Lausanne took our drivers along the Jorat, Oron and Savigny plateau. The looks of delight on the journalists’ faces at the end of the tour spoke volumes about the enjoyment and sensations experienced at the wheel of the Can-Am Spyder roadster over these two days in the Swiss alps. This quite exceptional route is, of course, a must for all powersports enthusiasts and all owners of the Spyder roadster. It’s now your turn to take to the open road and experience the Y-Factor™ for yourself.
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For more information:
International
Antoine Valla
Senior Advisor,
Communications & Events
BRP International
+41 21 318 78 83
antoine.valla@brp.com
Product information:
Adrien de Alexandris
Product Manager
BRP International
+1.450.532.6413
adrien.dealexandris@brp.com