Something new for “accessibility news” … accessible vehicles.
2016 BraunAbillty MXV makes a Ford Explorer a cool accessible vehicle.
VIDEO: BraunAbility MXV: Accessibility done CNET style (CNET On Cars, Episode 87)
We’ve recently realized on this high tech show, we’ve never done a piece on wheelchair accessible vehicles. And that’s an oversight because they are an interesting slice of automotive engineering, and have long left the days of being kind of, After market, and they’re fit and finished. Not the least of which is something called the BraunAbility MXV a conversion built on a Ford platform, caught our eye. We thought it was time to get one in and check the tech.
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Now the [UNKNOWN] ability NXV is based on a 16 Explorer, but you look at it and your eye says something isn’t right, is that really an Explorer yes. Proportions are different. Different and what your eyes being drawn to is the fact that it’s had its floor between the axle line dropped a large ten inches. Now, let’s see where that got them behind the other amazing piece of engineering. This is Akutagra, what used to be a hinged door on this stock Explore. Now, it becomes what they call a pop-out door. A completely customized motorized hinged and projector. That articulates the door out and then you’ve got a built in, belly stowed power ramp that comes out in sequence with it. [MUSIC] It looks like it’s just enough.
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This is co-engineered with Ford. Cuz it’s major engineering. Look at this apparatus that had to be invented to create a pop out door out a hinge door. Similarly impressive what they did to this B pillar. Look how narrow it is now. This is a deceptively big deal. They had to curve this back to create reasonable usable wheelchair access with. I mean, look to the right side of that ramp pit but at the same time you can’t give up. The front seats in the MXV aren’t too far from the 007’s Aston Martin. But they don’t eject up they just come out. Unlock this, rotate this and you wheel them down the ramp. And when they are in the vehicle they retain full power adjustment and their airbag function. Thanks to an impressive wiring harness. The MXV is only available In front wheel drive. Once you drop the floor ten inches there’s now way to get a driveshaft to the back for all wheel drive.
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Source: BraunAbility MXV: Accessibility done CNET style (CNET On Cars, Episode 87)
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