Ford Explorer BraunAbility MXV, the first mass-production SUV accessible to people using wheelchairs

Those who have to deal with everyday obstacles while using a wheelchair know how difficult it is to find an adapted vehicle that meets their needs. That is why the arrival of the BraunAbility MXV, an SUV designed to accommodate a wheelchair user in a practical and comfortable way, and built as a production model, is so welcome. With this model, BraunAbility, a company that converts vehicles to make them accessible, presents a model that leaves the factory with everything needed to guarantee the comfort of all its users.

The Ford Explorer was chosen because, since both companies are American and the vehicle is intended, in principle, for that market, they were looking for a car that embodied the spirit of the country with an iconic car and sufficient capacity to fit the entire mechanism that allows wheelchair access. Under the agreement signed with Ford, this vehicle will be available with everything needed to fulfil its function, without the need to buy the kit separately and install it, with all that this entails.

Although there are many wheelchair adaptation kits on the market, the BraunAbility MXV is the first factory-adapted SUV

This model can be found in the base, XLT and Limited versions, which feature a patented sliding door, with the possibility of removing the front passenger seat and even the driver’s seat. In addition, the access ramp has floor lighting. Available space can be improved by removing the front passenger seat, or, if the wheelchair user is the one driving, the driver’s seat can also be removed to allow the wheelchair to fit into that space.

The engine of this model is the same as in the base version, a 3.5-litre V6 that has not been changed in these special versions, which only modify the interior. With this model, the comfort of wheelchair users is ensured from the outset, without the need to buy and fit kits after purchasing the car, which will also be reflected in the final price. For now it will be sold in the United States, but it would not be surprising if it reached other markets with demand for this type of adapted vehicle.