BMW of North America knows a thing or two about world-class performance. As part of its six-year partnership with Team USA, and in support of its long-standing, global commitment to performance-driven sports, the company will develop a new racing wheelchair for athletes of the U.S. Paralympics Track and Field Team in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
This latest endeavour marks the fourth vehicle technology transfer project developed by BMW. Nearly one year in development, the wheelchair is slated to be delivered to U.S. Paralympics track and field elite racers in early 2016.
BMW has enlisted top designers to make significant improvements including a complete redesign of its chassis, application of BMW’s signature aerodynamic efficiencies, enhanced athlete restraint, carbon fibre durability, as well as steering and braking advancements.
“Over the course of our partnership with Team USA, we have been committed to advancing athletic performance through technology transfer initiatives which help to address their training and equipment needs,” said Trudy Hardy, Vice President of Marketing at BMW of North America. “This one is special not only because it presents a unique design challenge, but it helps solve a bigger mobility challenge for our Paralympic athletes.”
Last year in Sochi, a BMW-designed, two-man bobsled helped Team USA win its first medal in 62 years.