Autoblog

BMW goes downhill, gets into the bobsled business

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST

BMW is designing a new two-man bobsled for Team USA for use in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The automaker is partnering with the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation to redesign the sled that's been in use for the past 20 years by leveraging BMW expertise in lightweight materials, aerodynamics and chassis dynamics. While the US has repeatedly taken the top spot on the podium in the four-man event, that honor hasn't fallen to the two-man team since 1936.

It took BMW a full year of development to craft a prototype. Team USA is currently evaluating the sled, and the design will likely be refined further over the next year in preparation for the upcoming games.

As you may recall, open-wheel racer Bobby Rahal took the helm at the US Bobsled and Skeleton Foundation back in September with the goal or furthering the sport's development, though the BMW involvement predates Rahal's position with the group. Check the full press release below for more information on the new BMW-designed sled.

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BMW goes downhill, gets into the bobsled business originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW G450X plays chicken with a bobsled

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, BMW, Motorcycle

BMW G450X plays chicken with a bobsled - Click above to watch the video after the break

Chicken - it may be the single most mindless game involving high-octane motor vehicles and low-IQ human beings. But the video you are about to see isn't exactly a game of chicken in the classic sense. You see, one one hand there is a bobsled, which is indeed piloted by humans but is actually powered by gravity.

On the other end of the icy, winding chute is BMW-mounted stuntman Chris Pfeiffer, who's riding one of the German marque's G450X off-road motorcycles. At a predetermined point of the track, Pfeiffer and the bobsled team will cross paths, one going high and the other going low. Dangerous? You betcha.

But it's also just about as cool as a staged game of chicken between a motorcycle and a bobsled can be. We suggest you see for yourself after the break. And don't try this at home.

[Source: YouTube via Hell For Leather - sub. req.]

Continue reading Video: BMW G450X plays chicken with a bobsled

Video: BMW G450X plays chicken with a bobsled originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Design goes downhill on another sled

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Porsche, Design/Style, Off-Road

Porsche Design composite bobsled - Click above for high-res image gallery

Traditionally, Porsche hasn't been a name commonly associated with snow. That was before the German automaker got into the SUV game, though, and maybe just as important for the impending winter season, the downhill sled market, too.

A couple of years ago, Porsche Design ~~rolled~~ slid out its award-winning aluminum sled for kids, and has now followed up with an advanced composite bobsled. The design takes its cues from parabolic skis, with a slight bend in the runners for better steerability. Porsche Design also toiled over the optimal camber angle, kept the weight down to just 8.8 lbs, and got it certified to TÜV safety standards - all that for around $225 (hey, we never said Porsche ever did anything on the cheap). Follow the jump for the full press release and the images in the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Porsche Design Bobsled

[Source: Porsche Design]

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Porsche Design goes downhill on another sled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus goes racing... on ice

Merritt Johnson — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:09:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Lotus

Click the image above for a high-res view.

For those readers sweltering in the summer heat, we have some winter-inspired news to cool you off. Back in February, Ferrari revealed that its engineering group would team with the Italian Olympic Committee to develop advanced equipment designs for Olympic sports, one such event being the bobsled. Apparently at about the same time, another automaker was also knee-deep in its own bobsled adventure. Group Lotus was commissioned by the Royal Air Force (RAF) to make some repairs on a sled the team intended to use for the 2008 Inter-Services Ice Championships. In general disrepair with significant nose damage and body cracks, the bobsled required complete refurbishment before it would be deemed competition-worthy. The RAF team approached Lotus based on the group's experience working with composite materials. The combination of RAF's aerospace engineering knowledge teamed with Lotus's roadgoing experience was sure to create one mean sleigh.

The 70 hours of engineering time dedicated to the sled's makeover saw it achieve speeds approaching 85 mph, sending the RAF team to third place at the Inter-Services Ice Championships with Sergeant Michelle Coy at the helm and Junior Technician Caroline Gray at the brakes. Although there weren't reports on the number of competitive entries, a podium finish for the new development team sounds respectable to us.

Gallery: Lotus / RAF Bobsled

[Source: Gizmag.com]

Lotus goes racing... on ice originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What to do when your Porsche gets stuck in the snow

Noah Joseph — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:12:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Europe, Porsche

If you live in a snowy, wintry climate, Porsche has no shortage of options available to you. Between the 911 Carrera 4 and the Cayenne sport-utility, there's no reason you should get stuck in the snow. But if your choice ride from Stuttgart is, say, a Boxster, or you just happen to get stuck in a snowbank anyway, never fear, for Porsche has exactly what you need.

The imaginatively-named Porsche Aluminiumschlitten (at right) is a grown-up bobsled made of aluminum. It folds up into a handy carrying case (that will, we hope, fit into a Cayman's luggage compartment), and rides on high-grade stainless steel skids.

The Porsche Kinderbob (pictured above) meanwhile, is, as you might have guessed, more for the kids. It features a decidedly racy design with space for one, handlebars for steering and even a horn for passing in the fast lane down the toboggan run.

Kinderbob sells in Germany for €65, the Aluminiumschlitten for a more substantial €250. Just in time for Weihnachten.

[Source: Pistonheads]

What to do when your Porsche gets stuck in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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