Abstract: An off-road vehicle has a frame, a motor, a plurality of ground engaging members and a cargo box connected to the frame. The cargo box having a floor, a front wall, a left side wall and a right side wall. An inner panel is connected to one of the left and right side walls of the cargo box. The inner panel defines a side storage space on an outer side of the inner panel. An outer panel is removably connected to the inner panel. The outer panel covers the side storage space. The outer panel has an outer periphery, and an integrally formed portion of the inner panel extends outside the outer periphery of the outer panel.

Abstract: A controllable differential system for a vehicle includes a differential that may be disengaged or engaged, and may further be locked when engaged. A differential lock switch has three positions for sending commands to an actuator for disengaging or engaging the differential and for sending commands to a controller for unlocking and locking the differential. The vehicle includes a motor, a transmission continuously connected to a rear drivetrain, and the differential mounted in a front drivetrain. The vehicle may be driven in rear-wheel drive mode when the differential is disengaged or in four-wheel drive mode when the differential is engaged. The vehicle may enforce a vehicle speed limitation or an engine speed limitation when the differential is locked while a manual override control is not activated. The vehicle may implement an anti-lock braking system that may be disabled when the differential is locked.

Abstract: A method for accelerating a vehicle from rest, including controlling an engine according to a first control strategy; receiving a mode indication selecting a launch control mode for accelerating; controlling the engine according to a second control strategy; in response to greater than zero accelerator position, controlling to increase throttle valve opening and engine control operational conditions to limit engine torque output; while in the second control strategy, receiving an indication to end control by the second control strategy; and in response to indication, controlling according to the first control strategy causing the vehicle to accelerate from rest, the first acceleration rate greater than the second rate corresponding to accelerating from rest after sequentially controlling according to the first and second control strategies; the second acceleration rate corresponding to accelerating from rest by controlling according to the first control strategy without previously controlling according to the

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly with a coil spring and a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a cylinder; a piston rod; a cylinder piston connected to the piston rod; a reservoir fluidly connected to the cylinder, the reservoir and the cylinder defining a fluid chamber for receiving a hydraulic fluid; a reservoir base valve separating the fluid chamber into a first portion and a second portion, the reservoir base valve defining passages fluidly connecting the first and second portions; a bypass channel fluidly connecting the first portion to the second portion; a bypass valve configured to selectively control fluid flow through the bypass channel; and a check valve disposed in the bypass passage and being configured to: permit fluid flow through the bypass channel from the first portion to the second portion, and impede fluid flow through the bypass channel from the second portion to the first portion.

Abstract: A cargo box extension assembly for a cargo box of a vehicle and method of operating the extension assembly. The assembly includes a center panel configured and arranged for pivotally connecting to a front surface of a tailgate of the cargo box; a left panel; and a right panel, each of the left and right panels being rotatable between an open position and a closed position where the left and right panels are aligned with each other, when the cargo box extension assembly is installed on the tailgate of the vehicle and the center panel is pivotally connected to the front surface of the tailgate: the cargo box extension assembly being selectively movable between a collapsed position and an extended position; in the collapsed position, the cargo box extension assembly being at least partially received in a recess of the tailgate.

Abstract: A limited-slip differential system including a housing, a differential carrier disposed within the housing and including first and second carrier portions, a differential, a clutch pack and a pressure system is disclosed. The differential is configured to distribute torque from a drive shaft to first and second axles in accordance with a speed difference between the first and second axles. The pressure system is configured to selectively exert an axial force on the clutch pack, which includes first and second plurality of clutch plates respectively connected to one of the first and second carrier portions and a hub member, for selectively causing frictional engagement of the clutch plates. At least one of the first and second carrier portions at least partially defines at least one lubrication channel extending radially, and fluidly connecting an exterior of the differential carrier to an interior thereof for lubricating at least two clutch plates.

Abstract: A method for controlling a two-stroke engine operatively connected to a turbocharger, the turbocharger being in fluid communication with the engine to provide a boost pressure thereto, the method including: comparing one of (i) an actual power output of the engine; and (ii) an exhaust temperature representative of an actual temperature of exhaust gas being discharged by the engine, with a corresponding threshold value thereof; in response to the one of the actual power output of the engine and the exhaust temperature being less than the corresponding threshold value: determining a corrective amount of boost pressure to add to the boost pressure of the turbocharger; and controlling the turbocharger to increase the boost pressure of the turbocharger by the corrective amount. Another method for controlling a two-stroke engine operatively connected to a turbocharger is also disclosed.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes: a two-stroke internal combustion engine; a turbocharger operatively connected to the engine, the turbocharger having a compressor and an exhaust turbine; an intake pipe fluidly connected to the engine and to the compressor of the turbocharger; an exhaust tuned pipe fluidly connected to the engine and to the exhaust turbine of the turbocharger; a temperature sensor configured to generate a signal representative of a temperature of exhaust gas flowing within the exhaust tuned pipe; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine a boost target pressure of the turbocharger based in part on the signal generated by the temperature sensor; and control the turbocharger to provide the boost target pressure to the engine. Methods for controlling an engine are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) operatively connected to the CVT, the DCT includes a clutch input member operatively connected to a driven pulley of the CVT to be driven thereby; a first clutch; a second clutch; a first shaft operatively connected to the first clutch, the first clutch being selectively actuated to couple the first shaft to the clutch input member; a second shaft operatively connected to the second clutch, the second clutch being selectively actuated to couple the second shaft to the clutch input member; at least one first driving member mounted to the first shaft; at least one second driving member mounted to the second shaft; and an output shaft operatively connecting the at least one first driving member and the at least one second driving member to at least one ground-engaging member of the vehicle.

Abstract: A snowmobile including a chassis including a tunnel; a motor; at least one ski; an endless drive track; a rear suspension assembly including: a front suspension arm; a rear suspension arm; a pair of slide rails; a first rear shock absorber connected between the front suspension arm and the slide rails; and a second rear shock absorber connected between the rear suspension arm and the front suspension arm or the slide rails; at least one sensor for sensing an angular position of the front suspension arm or the rear suspension arm relative to one of the tunnel and a component of the rear suspension assembly near at least one of the front suspension arm and the rear suspension arm; and a controller communicatively connected to the sensor to receive electronic signals therefrom representative of the angular position.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a track pivotable about a steering axis, a slider slidably connected to the track, a handlebar connected to the slider, a lock actuator movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a rocker operatively connected to the lock actuator. The rocker is pivotable about a rocking axis relative to the slider. The handlebar, the slider, the lock actuator and the rocker are pivotable about the steering axis with the track. In the unlocked position of the lock actuator, the rocker and the handlebar are slidable along the track with the slider. In the locked position of the lock actuator, the rocker presses the slider against the track and thereby locks the slider, the rocker and the handlebar in position relative to the track.

Abstract: A barrier accessory device for a watercraft includes: an accessory connection base configured for having at least one accessory removably connected thereto; a first rail connector connected to the accessory connection base at a first end portion thereof, the first rail connector having a slot-engaging member configured to be inserted into a slot defined in one of an upper rail and a lower rail of a barrier structure of the watercraft; and a second rail connector connected to the accessory connection base at a second end portion thereof opposite the first end portion, the second rail connector having a locking assembly configured to be selectively locked onto an other one of the upper rail and the lower rail.

Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft comprises energizing an absolute position sensor adapted for providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM and applying a current to the ETM to generate a sufficient torque to rotate the crankshaft.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a snowmobile having: a tunnel; a motor; at least one ski; and a drive track. At least a portion of the tunnel is formed by a heat exchanger assembly having: a front portion; a middle portion; a rear portion; a top part; and a bottom part. The bottom part defines at least one recess. The top and bottom parts define therebetween a passage formed in part by the at least one recess. A first portion of the passage is defined by the at least one recess extending longitudinally. The drive track has: a plurality of lugs; and a plurality of studs. Portions of the plurality of lugs being laterally aligned with the first portion of the passage being free of studs.

Abstract: A snowmobile including a frame; at least one ski; an engine with an engine air inlet and an exhaust outlet; a turbocharger including an exhaust turbine, and a compressor. An air intake system includes a first flow path connecting the compressor to the atmosphere; a second flow path connecting the compressor to the engine air inlet; an intake bypass flow path connecting atmosphere to the engine air inlet for bypassing the compressor; and an intake bypass valve for controlling the flow through the intake bypass flow path. An exhaust system includes a third flow path connecting the exhaust outlet to the exhaust turbine; a fourth flow path connecting the exhaust turbine to the atmosphere; an exhaust bypass flow path connecting the exhaust outlet to the atmosphere for at least partially bypassing the exhaust turbine; and an exhaust bypass valve for controlling the flow through the exhaust bypass flow path.