BMW, skateboards, skateboards, BMW? No. Surely not. Have they got too much
time on their hands? Is the Nurburgring about to become overrun with BMW
engineers in baggy trousers with their ar$es hanging out? Perhaps so.
BMW are trying to carve a niche in the street fashion scene with a new
skateboard. Dubbed the 'StreetCarver', it's intended to showcase BMW’s
expertise in design and chassis development. Its innovative steering system uses
the swing-link suspension geometry developed for the BMW 5 Series.
Rapid direction changes can be made by shifting weight or 'carving'. The
flexible board, constructed in a snowboard-type sandwich with a wooden core and
fibre glass outer layers provides the suspension. The low-profile polyurethane
tyres run on dual section aluminium rims and have wear indicators, which show
when new ones should be fitted.
The StreetCarver – which is made exclusively for BMW – is available now,
costs £325 and can be bought from any BMW dealer, or directly over the web at
http://www.lifestyle.bmw.co.uk. It even has its own website at
http://www.gr2.de/streetcarver2 which gives top riding tips and all the
technical details.