BMW of North America has unveiled the new racing wheelchair ©BMW

A new racing wheelchair for the US Paralympic Track and Field team has been officially unveiled by BMW of North America ahead of Rio 2016.

The specially designed model draws upon the "aesthetics and engineering of the automaker’s signature vehicle design", a statement from the car giants claimed.

It features "modernised aerodynamic efficiencies, carbon fibre material, a complete chassis redesign and a personalised approach for customised athlete fit".

It should be used by leading US athletes during the Games, including three-time Paralympic champion Tatyana McFadden.

“Working on this project has been a truly rewarding experience for my team and we’re proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in the last year and a half with these athletes and their coaches,” said Brad Cracchiola, associate director of BMW Group Designworks.

“From fittings and immersion sessions, to data analysis and real-time testing, we had the unique opportunity to build a fully customised racing device.

"We’re eager to complete the final product and look forward to watching Team USA compete.”

A new racing wheelchair has been unveiled through the partnership with BMW ©BMW
A new racing wheelchair has been unveiled through the partnership with BMW ©BMW

BMW will work over the next few months to continue to adjust and improve the wheelchair in the lead up to the Games, with the final fleet of wheelchairs expected to be delivered to athletes later in the summer.

It represents the second piece of new equipment built by BMW for the American team after they designed a two-man bobsled which was used at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi by bronze medallists Steve Holcomb and Steve Langton, winners of the first US Olympic medal in the event for 62 years.

The American team won eight gold medals in wheelchair track events at the 2012 Paralympics in London in an overall track haul of 16.

“Our partnership with Team USA over the last six years has been a remarkable journey, but the most rewarding part of it all has been the direct collaboration with our athletes,” said Trudy Hardy, vice-president of marketing at BMW of North America.

“Their dedication to their sport and their fans is unprecedented, and as a company dedicated to performance and mobility, this has been a project that felt right at home for us and we’re honoured to be part of it.”