BMW Olympic fleet unveiled
The official vehicle supplier to the London 2012 Olympic Games has unveiled a fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles
BMW has released details of its Olympic fleet for London 2012. The official unveiling in London showcased the more than 4,000-strong fleet of BMW and MINI cars, motorcycles and bicycles that will transport officials, media, volunteers and athletes during the games.
BMW says that its Olympic fleet will average 64.5mpg and 116g/km of CO2, with 80 per cent of vehicles compliant with EU6 emissions standards. That betters LOCOG’s 54.2mpg and 120g/km requirements for the fleet, and Transport Director Richard George described BMW as a ‘one-stop shop solution’ for the needs of the Olympics.
The most prominent model in use will be the new 320d saloon, making up 1,550 of the overall fleet. The 320d will be used in the Olympic Torch Relay, as the supporting vehicles for cycling events and will carry 67 technical delegates to multiple venues throughout the Games.
There will be 700 BMW 520d transfer vehicles, 200 MINI Cooper D ‘on demand’ vehicles at walk-up taxi-rank style locations, including Heathrow Airport, 17 X3 xDrive20ds – which will also join the torch relay –and 10 X5 xDrive30ds chosen specifically for towing capabilities. There will also be 25 BMW motorcycles, including the F650GS and R1200GS, for cycling and other road-based events.
BMW has focused on showcasing its efficient and low emission vehicles during the Games, with electric vehicles included in the fleet. There will be 160 BMW 1 Series ActiveE, the electric version of the BMW 1 Series, which will transport athletes and broadcasters, as well as 40 MINI E electric vehicles. A further 20 5 Series ActiveHybrid saloons will fulfill a transfer and shuttle role.
The use of electric vehicles will showcase London’s electric charging infrastructure, with 120 new ‘high speed’ charge points installed at various locations to support them. The first is at former British Motor Show venue the ExCeL Centre in Docklands, which will host seven Olympic and six Paralympic events.
The BMW fleet will be serviced and stored in depots around London during the Games, with the cars being returned to BMW at the event’s conclusion.
