History of Lynx

1967

Development of the first snowmobile started.

1968

Design of Lynx AS 50 was finalized and production started. The first production year totalled 220 snowmobiles.

Lynx AS 50 was the first 50 cm wide track model in the world.

1969

L-30, the first narrow track model.
L-30 J, the first extended track model.
First exports to Sweden and Norway.

1970

Lynx was first in the world to introduce the suspended track extension system (L-40 model).

1972

Lynx was first in the world to introduce a transmission with 2 gears forward and a reverse gear for one track snowmobile.

On February 18th, the 3,000th Lynx snowmobile was assembled in the factory.

1977

On October 20th, the 10,001st Lynx snowmobile was handed over to the Border Guard in Kainuu, Finland.

1978

Lynx was first in the world to introduce durable gearbox without chain transmission.

1980

Lynx was first in the world to introduce slide rail suspension system for wide track models.

1982

On October 20th, the 20,001st Lynx snowmobile was handed over to The Lapland Border Guard.

1985/86

Series production of Lynx first sport model, GLS 3300, started.

1987

Lynx was first in the world to introduce snowmobiles with gear shifting while riding. Syncro transmission is still unique today.

Lynx introduced the Easy Ride slide rail system that distributes the weight between the track and skis with optimum efficiency.

On February 3rd, the 40,000th Lynx snowmobile was handed over to the Kittilä District of the National Board of Forestry (Metsähallitus).

1989

World Championship Ski races in Lahti; official service snowmobile was Lynx.

Lynx snowmobiles are used by scientists carrying research in the Antarctic.

Lynx won the first ever European Snowcross Championship.

1990

The first engine with Rave valves is introduced for the Lynx range (583 RAVE).

1991

Lynx introduced the new LTS front suspension system (Lynx Telescopic Suspension) on utility models.

On November 28th, the 65,000th Lynx snowmobile was handed over to the Finnish Defence Forces.

The Cobra range is launched.

1997

Lynx® introduced the new LVS front suspension system (Lynx® Vertical Suspension) on sports models.

World Ski Championship in Trondheim, Norway; Lynx 6900 is the official service snowmobile of the games.

Lynx® 30th Anniversary.

Lynx makes the shift to use aluminium chassis for all sports models.

1998

On January 19th, the 100,000th Lynx snowmobile, G-Touring Royal 1998, was assembled in the factory. It was handed over to Santa Claus at the celebration to honour the Lynx 30th Anniversary on March 14th, 1998.

1999

Janne Tapio wins the European Championships using a Lynx.

Lynx the first new generation Rave 150 children’s snowmobile is produced.

2000

Lynx & Janne Tapio once again take home the European Championship.

Lynx launches the LFS independent suspension utility snowmobile (GLX 5900 ST)

2001

Lynx unveil the EVO range and RCG bogie suspension.

2002

World Cup first and second places for Lynx; Janne Tapio wins the Championship, and Janne Jurvelin takes silver.

2003

World Cup victory for Janne Tapio and Janne Jurvelin takes bronze with Lynx snowmobiles.

The first four-stroke Lynx snowmobile is unveiled (Ranger 4T)

2004

Janne Tapio wins the first ever Snowcross World Championship with Lynx.

The first ever wide-track four-stroke model is launched (59 YETI).

Lynx incorporates cleaner SDI engine technology with its Rotax 800 SDI engine.

2005

Janne Tapio wins the second Snowcross World Championship with Lynx.

Lynx unveils the R-Evo range.

2006

Peter Ericson wins the Snowcross World Championship with Lynx.

Lynx launches the PPS suspension. Carrying the name of its developer (Pauli Piippola Suspension), the innovation perfected the Lynx Sport range to take on all Scandinavian conditions from bumpy terrain to snowcross tracks.

Lynx snowmobiles are spectacularly shown in the movie Suden Arvoitus.

2007

Lynx celebrates its 40th Anniversary. The Anniversary Year was celebrated at the European Dealer Days in Rovaniemi and at the BRP CUP Snowcross Competition in the town centre, which culminated in a spectacular fireworks display.

Lynx achieves already its fourth Snowcross World Champion ridden by Peter Ericson.

On May 29th, BRP announces the moving of Finland-based operations into the new, state-of-the-art production facility by December 2008.

The 200,000th Lynx snowmobile – Yeti Pro V-800 – was produced on October 17th and was handed over to the Volunteer Rescue Service of the Lapland District.

2008

To commemorate Lynx’s 40th year, the Xtrim 600 SDI was released with the first medium-length PPS bogie suspension.

Lynx’s winning streak continues as Emil Öhman takes the World Champion title.

The last Lynx snowmobile to be manufactured at the old production facilities in Rovaniemi was made on October 10th. Production was moved to the new, state-of-the-art production facilities in Rovaniemi.

2009

Lynx rides four triples in the European Snowcross series: 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the World Championships; Peter Ericson’s 3rd World Championship title; Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian championships, Janne Jurvelin wins the European Championship and Finnish Championship Pro Stock and Pro Open competitions.

• World Championship series: 1st Peter Ericson (Lynx), 2nd Emil Öhman (Lynx), 3rd Niko Korsumäki (Lynx).
• Peter Ericson: World Champion in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
• Janne Jurvelin: European Champion 2009, Finnish Champion 2009 Pro Open, Finnish Champion 2009 Pro Stock.
• Emil Öhman: Swedish Champion 2009
• Jostein Biti: Norwegian Champion 2009

Lynx launches many new technological innovations: including two new platforms (REX and LXU) and the clean E-TEC engine technology (Rotax 600 E-TEC)

With the introduction of the LXU platform, the full aluminium chassis is also fitted to utility snowmobiles.