BMW expands technology partnership with the German Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton Federation (BSD) and develops two-man bobsled prototype for the BSD.

• BMW takes technology partnership with the German Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton Federation to a new level.
• BMW develops two-man bobsled prototype for new Olympic cycle.
• First tests on the ice track planned for the end of the year.

Munich. BMW and the German Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton Federation (BSD) have been engaged in an intensive collaboration since the 1980s, during which time they have worked closely together to optimise equipment, race overalls and helmets. Since 2010, BMW has been Premium and Technology Partner, a role that has seen the Munich-based company use its automotive expertise to help the federation win numerous medals and titles. The technological support gained from the BMW engineers is now being expanded and a two-man bobsled prototype developed for Germany. The first tests on the ice track are planned for the end of 2018.

In the past, the BSD has been able to build on BMW engineering expertise in the fields of aerodynamics, ergonomics and structural analysis when developing its equipment. BMW is now going one step further for the 2022 Olympic campaign and is working with the BSD to develop a two-man bob prototype.

BMW has always been known for its pioneering spirit and innovation – two attributes that have always guaranteed that BMW automotive expertise could be successfully applied to high-tech racing sports, such as the America’s Cup (competitive sailing). Working together with the technical experts and BSD drivers, this transfer will now benefit the bobsleigh sport. The first step is the development of a so-called “innovation driver”, with which various technical concepts are tried out. A modified measurement system at BMW Motorsport is used to analyse the performance of the technical innovations.

“This year, we enjoyed a dream amount of success at the Olympic Games. However, the close results showed that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and that our competitors are striving with all their strength to catch and pass us,” says Thomas Schwab, Secretary General and Sport Director of the BSD. “In BMW, we have a technology partner that knows full well that every success is merely the motivation for more ideas and concepts. As such, we are delighted to be able to take another innovative approach with the BMW prototype.”

“The positive experience of the 2018 Olympic campaign showed how successful it is to use competing sledding concepts,” says head bobsleigh coach René Spies. “We are very much looking forward to trying out a new perspective in bob development with our partner BMW. We are in a fortunate position with the technical development, in that we are able to benefit from their extensive expertise in automobile manufacturing, as well as the unique infrastructure.”

Thomas Hahn, who is responsible for the technology transfer at BMW, explains: “Aerodynamics, chassis development and carbon fabrication are areas in which BMW is working at the highest level – and which are also extremely important for a racing sled. Together with the practical experience of the BSD technical experts and drivers, we have an innovation platform with which we can test innovative systems and components. We are excited to see how the bob performs in its first test runs and are really looking forward to the exciting further development over the coming years.”

The livery of the BMW bob also underlines the genes from automobile research and development. In the traditional BSD colours of yellow and black, the design is reminiscent of the “Dazzle” pattern, which adorns camouflaged prototype BMW vehicles.

The new BSD two-man bobsled is not the first of its kind to be developed using BMW technological expertise. BMW of North America and the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation worked closely together to develop the two-man bob that, in 2014, won the first Olympic bob medal in 62 years for the United States.