Sledding may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Porsche, but Porsche’s design division just released its Porsche bobsleigh. If you’re dreaming of a Porsche under the tree this year, the bobsled might do well. It’s 8.8 lbs of an advanced composite material and an ergonomic design that will have you zooming down the hill. The runners are shaped to point inward like parabolic skis make for better steerability and speed.
The runners also deploy a camber angle, a chassis adjustment borrowed from the design department’s automotive sibling to give better directional stability. The camber angle, in the case of the sled, is that it does not have ground contact across the full breadth, but only at the edges of the runners. The design also includes a low center of gravity and grip to allow for better maneuverability.
All the design provides for a thrilling trip down the hill. The $225 price tag hurts a little. It’s made from an advanced composite material, which is — let’s face it — plastic. But what plastic! The design, influenced by years of Porsche ingenuity make this a must-have late entry on our Christmas list.
via [Autoblog]