Half motorcycle, half ATV, the Can-Am Spyder plug-in hybrid concept makes its first public appearance this weekend at the International Motorcycle Show in New York City.

The vehicle is equipped with an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery and the Rotax Advanced Combustion Efficiency (ACE) engine currently used in BRP’s 2011 Ski-Doo snowmobiles. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.11 litres per 100 kilometres (29 mpg).

Photo: BRP

Engineers aim for the hybrid roadster to be 50-percent cleaner and more fuel-efficient than the current Can-Am Spyder. Back in 2009, the company promised a total range of 600 kilometres (375 miles), including 30 kilometres (18 miles) on electric power alone.

The Advanced Technology Center BRP-Sherbrooke University received funding of $11.3 million to accelerate automotive research in Canada. The team plans to develop three generations of prototypes and components over the next four years in order to pass every single test and meet performance, reliability, durability and efficiency standards for mass production.

New York's Cycle World International Motorcycle Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center ends this Sunday, January 23.