Motoring with PosAbility – 2020

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

A PERFECT FIT

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SMALL CAR GUIDE

SPACE IS KING SUV GUIDE

MEDIUM CAR GUIDE

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ISSUE 7 | 2020

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CAR OF THE YEAR

FORD PUMA INSIDE

magazine YOUR GUIDE TO THE

MOTABILITY SCHEME

 WHAT CAR? WINNERS  FUTURE OF MOTORI N G  CAR REVIEWS  ACCESSORIES  MOBILIT Y CENT RES

We all welcome a little extra assistance now and again, particularly when travelling alone. Thistle Assistance is an initiative to help you feel safer and more comfortable when using public transport.

thistleassistance.com

Welcome  OUR TEAM

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writer: Katie Campbell Contributor: Tim Saunders Sales: Valerie Speers Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine

 CONTACT US

Caledonia House, Evanton Drive Thornliebank Industrial Estate Glasgow G46 8JT T. 0141 465 2960 | F. 0141 258 7783 E. enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

 DISCLAIMER

Motoring with PosAbility Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Limited. The views expressed in Motoring with PosAbility Magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher.

All prices correct at time of publication. Copyright 2020 ©2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2056-4368.

Cover image courtesy of What Car?

ur annual guide for disabled motorists has landed for 2020. The aim of this supplement is to bring you the latest in the world of cars and motoring, and to help guide you in your decision process.

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Choosing a car is a major decision, one that may involve input from the whole family. There are so many areas to consider, it can be overwhelming narrowing down a specific car for your needs. We bring you some advice of the things to consider, as well as a look at a mix of cars available on the Motability Scheme.

Whether you are looking for a compact city car that you can park

easily in busy streets, or you require a vehicle big enough to fit a family of four plus a wheelchair, pram and various luggage items, we have you covered.

In addition, we give you a glance at what the Motability Scheme can offer, and we showcase the winners of this year’s What Car? Car of the Year Awards. The Ford Puma stole the show this year with an impressive line-up of attributes and it is currently available on the Motability Scheme.

We hope you enjoy this yearly instalment of Motoring with PosAbility. If you would like to get in touch with us email ros@2apublishing.co.uk.

Motoring with PosAbility, Editor

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CONTENTS April 2020 | Issue 7

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What Car? Car of the year 07 Decision Guide Choosing the right car for the right reasons

Small and Medium Cars

09 The Motability Scheme Everything you need to know about securing a vehicle through the Motability Scheme

10 Small and Medium Cars Smaller cars that are big on personality

13 Baywatch Campaign Keeping an eye on disabled parking bays

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14 What Car? Car of the Year Get to know the electric SUV that blew away the What Car? judges

16 What Car? Car of the Year Awards The top picks this year for every class of car

19 Motability Events Postponed Take note of the new dates for the massive showcase of cars, wheelchairs, and WAVs

20 The Future of Motoring Tim Saunders explores the options for those who wish to go electric

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What Car? Car of the Year Awards

22 The Future of Motoring

22 Large Cars and Estates For those who need a little more space and comfort

24 Getting on the Road How Driving Mobility centres can help you get behind the wheel for the first or hundredth time

Large Cars and Estates

28 26 Car Accessories Innovative gadgets to improve your driving experience

28 SUVs Combining space, practicality, and style on the road

34 Taking Cover Shopping around for the right insurance can make all the difference

SUVs

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Taking Cover The Motability Scheme

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THE ALL-NEW ŠKODA KAMIQ DRIVEN BY SOMETHING DIFFERENT

To qualify for Motability offers you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP). Models shown are not UK specification. Exclusions apply. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time and are not available in conjunction with any other offer. Participating retailers only. Subject to availability.

Official fuel consumption WLTP for the ŠKODA KAMIQ range in mpg (litres/100km): Combined 56.5 (5.0) to 38.2 (7.4). NEDC equivalent CO2 combined emissions for the ŠKODA KAMIQ range are 129 to 167 g/km.

Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Data correct at 1 April 2020. Figures quoted are for a range of configurations and are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes.

Please consult your retailer for further information.

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CAR CHECKLIST

Decision Time Choosing the right car can be a daunting decision. There are so many considerations, from style and colour, to average MPG and boot space. How do you know that you are making the right decision for you? Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you are choosing your next set of wheels.

Style

Finance

It is important to remember that you don’t want to choose style over substance. However, we all want to drive a car that we like the look of and enjoy cruising around town in, and if it turns the occasional head that’s a bonus. You probably have an idea of the style of car you want, whether that be a compact city car or a chunky SUV, but make sure you look at all the options in your preferred category. You may have to compromise on style in some aspects but hopefully this will be the best option in the long run. Colour and interior can be a big deciding factor, not many of us are drawn to a lime green car but maybe it’s your bag? Bright colours certainly help you stand out from the crowd if that’s the impact you are looking for. Don’t undervalue the importance of the interior, you want to enjoy getting into your car and driving it, especially if you spend a lot of time in it. Look for cars that use higher quality materials on the dash that won’t damage or mark easily, this will help maintain that ‘new car’ feel.

A major factor in choosing a car is affordability. You may aspire to own a top-of-the-range Tesla or dream of the day you are cruising around in a Bentley without a care in the world, but until then you will probably have to put a more realistic budget in place. Once you have identified what your Motability Scheme allowance is, you can factor in other costs too. Are you willing to pay an advance payment for a higher end vehicle? If so, how much? Have you considered how much driving you will be doing in your new car? Fuel consumption can vary vastly between cars and with so many electric vehicles on the market nowadays, you may find the electric route the most financially viable for your needs.

Practicality Think about who is going to be travelling in your car regularly. Is it just you or do you have a family to accommodate? Perhaps you need to consider adaptations to allow you to safely drive your vehicle or maybe you need to look at wheelchair accessible vehicles? Whatever your needs, make sure you take everything into account when choosing the right vehicle for you. Consider things like boot space; do you need to store a wheelchair, pram, equipment or luggage? Would it help if the seats folded down in a certain way, or do you require decent-sized cubby holes near the driver’s seat so you can access them easily? Make a list of all the attributes you would like your car to have and check them off when considering your options.

Choosing a car is a big decision, it is considered an essential item for many and can offer independence and freedom like no other form of transport. Take your time, decide what is important to you and don’t overstretch your budget, it’s not worth worrying over how you will pay your rent each month just because you splurged on a really nice car.

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ASSURANCE FOR WHEREVER LIFE TAKES YOU

OUR MULTI-AWARD-WINNING COMPACT SUV NOW ON MOTABILIT Y Experience a car that’s designed to put you first, from the inside out. With our Motability Scheme offers, the multi-award-winning XC40 could be yours for less. Enjoy the comprehensive range of features on our compact SUV, which simplify your journey from start to finish.

Intuitive 9-inch Touch Screen | Volvo On Call Optional Park Assist Pilot | Optional programmable tailgate opening height Euro NCAP five-star safety rating | 479 litres of load space VISIT VOLVOCARS.CO.UK/MOTABILITY

Fuel consumption and CO2* figures for the Volvo XC40 range, in MPG (l/100km): WLTP Combined 31.0 – 141.1 (9.1 – 2.0). NEDC CO2 emissions 168 – 41g/km. Twin Engine WLTP electric energy consumption 3.7 – 4.0 miles/kWh. Twin Engine WLTP all electric range 26.1 – 28.0 miles. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. *There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures shown, however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration.

To be eligible to join the Motability Scheme you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment, which will be taken in lieu of the four-weekly rental for 36 months’ duration. 60,000 mile allowance over 3 years; excess mileage charges may apply. Available at participating retailers.

Offer not available with other promotions and may be subject to change. For full terms and conditions, visit www.motability.co.uk. Motability Contract Hire Scheme is administered by Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB.

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MOTABILITY SCHEME

The

MOTABILITY here’s nothing worse than the sensation of feeling trapped, or knowing how much easier your life would be if you had means of getting around more easily.

That’s what makes the Motability Scheme so important - it provides people with the means to travel independently. The sense of freedom a car provides is unparalleled, and having a car which has been adapted to your needs, allowing you to safely get wherever you need or want to be, is vitally important.

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The Motability Scheme supports disabled people and their families who are looking to lease a car, a WAV, a scooter, or a powered wheelchair. If you currently receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, you can use part or all of your mobility allowance to lease the vehicle you need. You make the choice of the vehicle that suits your needs, and the payments are deducted from your higher rate mobility allowance every four weeks. You don’t need to worry about staying on top of this, as the payments are made directly by the Department for Work and Pensions to Motability. You can also apply for the Motability Scheme if you receive the Enhanced Rate of Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS), or the Armed Forces Independent Payment (AFIP).

Motability doesn’t just provide vehicles - it also covers insurance,

Scheme servicing your vehicle, maintenance, adaptations, full breakdown assistance, and the inclusion of up to two named drivers for cars and WAVs. If need be, you’ll have access to tyre repair and replacement services, and windscreen repair. The Scheme will also look after your MOTs and road tax, and Motability offer millages of 60,000 miles over three years for cars, and 100,000 miles for five years over WAVs. If you’ve opted for a scooter, they’ll replace batteries for no extra cost, and support customers via their UK-based services team.

The Motability Scheme offers over 2000 vehicles, 350 of which have no advance payment, and offer a massive array of adaptations which are made at no additional cost. Leases are offered on a three or five year basis, dependent on the type of vehicle you choose. Any vehicles which do have an upfront cost usually do so as they’re premium models. They also offer a £250 good condition bonus at the end of the lease, so if you keep your car in tip-top shape, they’ll reward you.

The Scheme also enjoys a 98% customer satisfaction rate for their car scheme, and a 95% rating for their powered wheelchair and scooter scheme.

Motability also offers opportunities to receive charitable grants which help people who may have complex needs and require a vehicle with a large number of modifications - which can constitute either a car or a WAV. For these vehicles, they offer a five year lease.

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KIA PICANTO  1.25 GT-LINE S 5DR

THEY MAY BE SMALL BUT THESE CARS ARE BIG IN CHARACTER

THE CAR If you’re looking for a city car with a lot of space to play with, the Kia Picanto is one of the best choices you can make. Low on emissions, fairly fuel efficient, and coming with Kia’s seven-year warranty, you’re making a sensible and fun choice opting for the Picanto. A number of trims are available, but we think the GT-Line S gives you the most bang for your buck.

SMALL CARS

THE DRIVE Boasting firm suspension and accurate steering, this is a great pick for those who need a car to navigate crowded, pothole-ridden city streets.

It’s a quiet ride, but in the GT-Line trim, you sacrifice no power for that additional silence, and it’ll happily pull you up to motorway speeds without any trouble.

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2.0 COOPER S  II 3DR

COMFORT AND SAFETY Adding on safety packs is an option with the Picanto, but this edition comes with automatic emergency braking, and features six airbags as standard. The safety pack add-on brings the Picanto up to a four-star Euro NCAP rating. It’s also fitted with an alarm and an immobiliser as standard.

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 56.5 Brake Horsepower (BHP): 83 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 115 Boot Capacity (litres): 255

THE CAR

you won’t find getting comfortable in the Mini a Good things come in small difficult task, even if you packages, and the Mini don’t opt for any additional Cooper is the epitome of this. interior add-ons. The car Despite its little stature, there was awarded a four-star is a surprising amount of Euro NCAP rating, but space in the Mini, even in its you can improve the safety three-door variety. Motability of the vehicle by adding does offer the five-door on automatic emergency variant, as well as a few other braking, front and rear trims if you’d prefer more or parking sensors, and a rear fewer extras. parking camera, should you wish.

THE DRIVE This is what keeps Mini owners returning to the brand. It has a reputation as a go-kart for grown ups, and it’s not unfounded. This model delivers an impressive performance, pulling away quickly, and offers good handling and noticeable grip in corners. City drivers will enjoy its tight turning circle, and you’ll be surprised how well it handles potholes, in spite of its low clearance.

COMFORT AND SAFETY Again, in spite of its size,

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SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 44.1 Brake Horsepower (BHP): 189 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 145 Boot Capacity (litres): 211

 1.5 BLUEHDI FLAIR 5DR

THE CAR The quirky design of the C4 Cactus is likely to turn a few heads, and it’s a great choice for those looking for the aesthetic of an SUV with the practicalities of a family car. It’s also a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a diesel-fuelled workhorse that doesn’t leave as big an imprint on the environment as its competitors.

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AUDI Q2 ESTATE  30 TDI SPORT 5DR

MEDIUM DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

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CITROËN C4 CACTUS offer a little touch of luxury, and lumbar support comes as standard. The Flair models come with rear parking sensors and reversing cameras as standard, which is why we would opt for that one out of the box. It garnered a four-star Euro NCAP rating, and this model also boasts safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warnings.

Boasting its new progressive hydraulic cushions, the C4 Cactus is ideal for the school run through town, and can eat up speed bumps and pot holes without too much fuss.

It offers a fairly controlled driving experience, without becoming difficult to get a hold of, and rarely acts unexpectedly.

COMFORT AND SAFETY The advanced comfort seats

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 70.60 Brake Horsepower (BHP): 101 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 98 Boot Capacity (litres): 358

THE CAR

adjustable seat, and you’ll find yourself in a comfortable One of the big three German and easy driving position aspirational brands, Audi in no time at all. You get a have produced a small but great view of the road, and powerful car in the Q2, and very few points to obscure one that’s practical, too. visibility. It’s one of the safest Safety and solid infotainment cars in its class, with a Euro options are at the forefront of NCAP rating of five-stars, reasons to swing for the Q2, as well as a number of as well as a suitably classy safety features as standard, interior. including automatic emergency braking.

THE DRIVE This model is at the lower end of the spectrum in terms of its power, but what you sacrifice in ability to pull the car off at high revs, you gain in low running costs.

That’s not to say the car won’t happily trot along with a litter of kids and some luggage, however. It’s a firm ride, but it’s quiet and handles tremendously.

COMFORT AND SAFETY

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 60.1 Brake Horsepower (BHP): 114 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 122 Boot Capacity (litres): 405

MEDIUM CARS

THE DRIVE

All models get a height

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BLUE BADGE HOLDERS

BAYWATCH

Campaign Disabled Motoring UK’s Baywatch campaign aims to address the abuse of disabled parking bays All too often we see disabled parking bays at our local supermarkets taken up by thoughtless individuals who don’t have a Blue Badge. The Baywatch campaign has been running since 2002 and over the years it has witnessed some improvement in the level of abuse of parking at supermarkets, but as the eligibility criteria has changed for obtaining a Blue Badge there is now an even higher demand for spaces.

The Baywatch campaign asks disabled motorists to survey their local supermarket car park at some point in the month of August. You are asked to make a note of how many disabled bays there are and how many are occupied by a car that is not displaying a Blue Badge. If you can, also offer any information on any enforcement measures that are in place and if there is a parking operator and signage stating this.

The results from this survey are then collated and the outcomes are passed on to supermarkets to encourage them to work with the charity to improve their parking policies with regard to tackling disabled bay abuse by using effective enforcement.

Disabled Motoring UK commented on the success of last year’s campaign: “In 2019 we had record numbers of people filling in the Baywatch survey which shows how passionate disabled people are about this issue. Usually DMUK only runs this specific campaigning activity every two years, but because of the interest last year we want to continue to gather momentum on this issue, so DMUK has made Baywatch an annual campaign!”

was Morrisons with an average of 10% General findings showed that 1 in 5 disabled bays in supermarket car parks are abused If parking regulations were enforced then 20% more parking would be available without having to add additional bays Enforcement signage proved to help with the amount of parking abuse At PosAbility we are proud to be a supporter of this campaign and ask that any of our readers who are able help contribute to the survey to ensure this issue is tackled.

Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson is also a strong supporter of the Baywatch campaign. She said: “It’s so sad that Disabled Motoring UK has to run its Baywatch Campaign. Disabled bay enforcement should be mandatory, especially for the big supermarkets that can afford to invest in policing their car parks.

I see disabled parking abuse every day, it’s never a surprise to me, including at my local supermarket. There is a real lack of understanding about how essential these bays are to disabled people and I applaud DMUK’s Baywatch Campaign as it plays a vital role in highlighting the issue of disabled parking abuse at supermarkets. It is a campaign that I fully support and I intend to survey my local supermarket car park in August to help DMUK obtain the data they need to take the supermarkets to task over their disabled bay parking policies.”

To fnd out more about the campaign and how to get involved visit disabledmotoring.org.

Last year’s findings The supermarket with the least disabled parking bay abuse with

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WHAT CAR? WINNER

What Car? Overall Car of the Year

2020

Ford Puma 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV 155 ST-Line X

ighting off tough competition in this year’s line-up, the Ford Puma scooped the coveted top prize at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards. What Car? described it as “truly outstanding” and recognised the small SUV for its handling, affordability, gutsy engine, style and its excellent mild hybrid technology. Who can argue with that?

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You would be forgiven for thinking the mild hybrid technology that the Ford Puma possesses means it is a car all about fuel economy, but you would be wrong. For a 1.0litre petrol engine, the Puma is surprisingly punchy. The beauty of the mild hybrid technology is that it is intelligently applied. When the car senses you are coming to a stop it shuts off the engine but leaves enough power running to the steering and brakes. Tap into gear and the engine will quietly spring to life again and a small electric motor will kick in, making your getaway quick and seamless. This particular engine boasts 0-60mph in just 8.5secs, not too shabby for an economical, small SUV. You won’t have any complaints in the handling arena either. It is nimble, nippy and can hold its own overtaking on motorways and country roads. It comfortably darts round corners with great control, keeping you comfortable and secure on any journey.

All Puma models offer varying driving modes; Sport gives the car

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WHAT CAR? WINNER

stiffer steering and quicker accelerator response, while the Eco mode offers a gentler driving experience by restricting the engines power and reducing the air-conditioning’s effect to save on fuel consumption.

It is a fun, sporty looking SUV, with stylish characteristics and soft lines. Inside, the Ford Puma offers a high-quality dashboard, clear layout and comfortable seats with plenty of adjustment. A modern 8-inch infotainment system with DAB radio, built-in sat nav and two USB ports sits proudly in the middle of the dash. A fancy wireless charging pad is also included to make it easier to charge certain smartphones on the move too.

As a small SUV, it won’t set the world alight in terms of space, so taller passengers may feel a little snug wrapped up in its compact interior, but four adults can be seated fairly comfortably and families of four will be accommodated easily.

The boot space is cleverly designed. It has ample room for several small luggage items in the main compartment, however it also has a hidden well underneath the boot floor easily accessed with a simple lift of the floor. The boot floor can also be adjusted in height, allowing you to achieve a smooth shelf when the rear seats are folded down, ensuring there is no annoying step to deal with when transporting various large items.

Fuel economy is great, CO2 emissions are low and even the entrylevel models come well equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, climate control, cruise control and the front seats also have a massaging function.

It has been a clear winner in this year’s What Car? Car of the Year Awards.

Find out more at ford.co.uk.

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 50.4 0-62mph: 8.9secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 99 Boot Capacity (litres): 456

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WHAT CAR? CARS OF THE YEAR

What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2020 he What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2020 saw cars recognised in 27 different categories across the board and the Ford Puma came out victorious as the overall winner. Many of the cars, including the Ford Puma, are available on the Motability Scheme, so we have listed the winners that you can access through Motability and given you a brief synopsis of why they came out on top. The full reviews of these cars can all be read on whatcar.com.

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Family Car of the year

Small Electric Car of the Year

Value car of the Year

Skoda Scala

Renault Zoe

Kia Picanto

What Car? reviewers found little to fault on this excellent family car option.

From superior ride comfort and space in abundance, to plenty of headroom for passengers and a vast boot cavity. What’s more is that this all comes at a reasonable and affordable price.

The recently upgraded Renault Zoe impressed this year with an improved interior, longer range and all-round better driving on the road. It is not the most spacious car compared to its rivals but it will still seat four adults fairly comfortably and the modern interior is a major plus point.

For a second year running the Kia Picanto has scooped the title of Value Car of the Year for its successful mix of value for money, high quality interior, spacious cabin, reliability and superior performance. You get plenty bang for your buck. A top choice if you are sticking to a tight budget.

Skoda Scala 1.0 TSI 115 SE Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 51.4 0-62mph: 9.8secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 111 Boot Capacity (litres): 467

Renault Zoe R135 GT Line Fuel Type: Electric Range (miles): 238 (real range 192) 0-62mph: 9.5secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 0 Boot Capacity (litres): 338

Kia Picanto 1.25 3 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 49.6 0-62mph: 11.6secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 114 Boot Capacity (litres): 255

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WHAT CAR? CARS OF THE YEAR

Small SUV of the Year

Large SUV of the Year

MPV of the Year

Ford Puma

Peugeot 5008

Citroën Berlingo

Winner of this award and Overall Car of the Year Award, the Ford Puma has excelled this year in every area. If you are looking for top notch handling, space, fuel consumption and comfort, this mild hybrid is an intelligent choice that ticks all the usual boxes of a winner.

It’s hard to compete against the Peugeot 5008 in the realms of space and practicality.

This car wins hands down every time. It has seven seats, a middle row that slides away and the vast boot is cleverly thought out.

On top of that it has a plush interior that offers comfort and it’s reasonably priced.

Multipurpose vehicles may not be the sexiest of offerings, but they offer families unrivalled practicality. The Citroën Berlingo has more space than you know what to do with, incredible headroom and rear sliding doors.

The boot space is vast and the ride, while not exciting, is perfectly comfortable.

Ford Puma Ecoboost mHEV 155 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 50.4 0-62mph: 8.9secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 99 Boot Capacity (litres): 456

Peugeot 5008 Puretech 130 Allure Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 42.8 0-62mph: 9.9secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 118 Boot Capacity (litres): 780

Citroën Berlingo Puretech110 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 43.5 0-62mph: 11.5secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 122 Boot Capacity (litres): 775

Estate Car of the Year

Hybrid Car of the Year

Small car of the Year

Skoda Superb

Toyota Corolla

Volkswagen Polo

Winning this category for a fifth year in a row is an incredible feat. Estates are all about space and the Skoda Superb delivers on this with an incredible 1950 litres of space when the seats are folded down. The drive is impressive, the running costs are low and it comes with plenty of standard kit.

The new and improved Toyota Corolla has come back fighting, knocking the Hyundai Ioniq off its long-standing pedestal. The Corolla has shown that it beats its rival on comfort, road noise and the smooth switch from petrol to electric. Fuel consumption is impressive and the interior is high quality.

A winner in this category for a second year running, the Polo ticks all the boxes. For a small car, it has plenty of room for a family, and it handles well on country roads and motorways. The Polo also boasts one of the best touchscreen infotainment systems on the market.

Skoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI 150 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 54.3 0-62mph: 9.2secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 105 Boot Capacity (litres): 660

Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid Fuel Type: Petrol/Electric Average MPG: 62.7 0-62mph: 10.9secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 76 Boot Capacity (litres): 313

Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 95 SE Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 50.2 0-62mph: 10.8secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 105 Boot Capacity (litres): 351

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0800 587 9613

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Motability

Events

The safety of all customers and event visitors continues to be our number one priority

POSTPONED Earlier this year the Motability Scheme took the decision to reschedule some of the One Big Day events for 2020, due to the concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

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n order to protect the wellbeing of everyone involved in Motability’s One Big Day programme they have had to postpone some of the earlier events.

The Big Event, Motability’s largest showcase of cars, wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), powered wheelchairs, and scooters, which was due to take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 3-4 July has been postponed.

In addition the Northern Ireland One Big Day event scheduled to take place on 6 June 2020 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre and the Exeter One Big Day scheduled to take place on 25 July at Westpoint will no longer go ahead as planned.

to the remaining programme of regional One Big Day events taking place in Harrogate, Peterborough and Edinburgh later this year.”

ABOUT THE EVENTS Each of the One Big Day Events offer a regional showcase of cars, adaptations and wheelchair accessible vehicles as well as, scooters and powered wheelchairs. These events offer a great opportunity to talk to the experts about adaptations, to test drive standard and adapted cars, to ask questions and figure out the best option for your driving needs.

These events are also a great family day out, with bouncy castles, face painting and free refreshments.

UPCOMING EVENTS The One Big Day events that are still scheduled to take place this year are as follows: 15 August – Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate 5 September – East of England Arena, Peterborough 19 September – Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh For the latest updates on The Big Event and the One Big Days, including any further changes to the programme visit motability.co.uk/onebigday. Updates will also be provided on the Motability Scheme Facebook and Twitter channels.

New dates have not yet been announced for the rescheduled events, but Motability will be announcing these on their website and through their social media accounts as soon as they have been confirmed.

Motability commented: “The safety of all customers and event visitors continues to be our number one priority and these changes are necessary to best support the health of our customers, Scheme partners and our people.

“We are closely monitoring Government guidelines with regards with

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REVIEWS MEDIUM CAR

The

FUTURE MOTORING of

Words by Tim Saunders

The government is considering new legislation surrounding cars with combustion engines. Tim Saunders explores the options currently available to drivers in the UK.

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lthough the Scottish government does not have the power to ban new petrol and diesel cars it has pledged to “phase out the need” for them by 2032.

The British government is consulting on banning them altogether by the same time.

This January the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that new car registrations stood at 149,279, which included 91,836 petrols and 29,605 diesels. The rest were either hybrid or electric. But new hybrids are set to be banned, too, due to their reliance on the combustion engine. In the UK approximately 2.5m new cars are sold each year and there are about 37.5m vehicles registered. So the bulk of vehicles on our roads are used. The government has yet to announce how it will tackle this enormous secondary market of polluters. High taxes, as used with great effect on cigarettes, could be the only option.

What this news highlights is the importance of low carbon dioxide emissions to the environment and to us. We can all drive slower to reduce emissions and we can upgrade to more efficient cars.

Currently I drive a 2002 1.4 diesel Ford Fiesta, with average carbon dioxide emissions of 162g/km and 50mpg. This compares to a brand new BMW 4 Series 435 xDrive Convertible 3.0d M Sport, which emits 168g/km and also covers 50mpg. My car is worth £300, if I’m lucky. The BMW, £53,000. If I wished to spend £5,000 I could buy myself a more modern used Ford Fiesta diesel, which emits an incredible 82g/km and will travel over 70mpg.

It’s hard to beat this level of emissions unless you go to electric or hydrogen power, pretty impressive and it has electric windows, air conditioning and a sat nav. Luxuries mine hasn’t got.

Tim’s Ford Fiesta

Car manufacturers are getting smaller engines to work harder.

The shapely Toyota C-HR 1.2 turbo petrol hybrid emits 109g/km CO2 and returns 58mpg. It’s not as environmentally friendly or economical as the new Ford Fiesta so why bother with a hybrid?

Like the government I remain unconvinced about the benefits; the electric motors often only work at very low speeds and not for long either.

TOYOTA C-HR

The Nissan Qashqai has been revamped with a 1.3-litre petrol engine generating 121g/km of CO2 emissions. It’s the same engine that can be found in the Mercedes A-Class. A 1.3-litre petrol engine that generates 160bhp. That’s the same amount of power as a 1988 Mercedes Benz 190 2.6-litre E, which emits 223g/km of carbon dioxide and returns under 30mpg. That’s some achievement for Nissan. Also, the Qashqai travels around 500 miles on a full tank. At under £30,000 new, and considerably cheaper used, this is an attractive sports utility vehicle.

NISSAN QASHQAI

BMW 4 Series 20

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REVIEWS MEDIUM CARS

Electric cars are perceived as the solution to all our environmental woes. But for them to become a viable alternative the technology must improve considerably. Still in its infancy, battery production and the energy used to charge the batteries cannot claim to be 100% clean. The cost of ownership is coming down, with an MG SUV for around £22,000 and a new Tesla for just over £30,000.

But drivers are still unable to travel the long distances associated with the combustion engine. Electric cars are temperamental in cold weather, there aren’t many charging points and it takes from 30 minutes to over 28hrs to charge such a car up depending on the method used (3-pin plug to smart charger).

TESLA

Only the other day I saw a painfully long queue behind a Nissan Leaf as it struggled along a main road at half the national speed limit. The silver haired driver looked uncomfortable, not knowing whether they would make their destination, or indeed whether they would still be alive at the end of the journey, it was going to take that long. Life is too short for such strain.

It seems that hydrogen power is a viable alternative, though.

For the past 20 years Hyundai has been quietly improving this very exciting technology, commenting that the “fuel cell system combines oxygen and hydrogen to create a flow of electrons that powers the electric drive motor and charges the 1.56kWh high voltage battery”. Its new Nexo model, priced at around £65,000, can travel over 400 miles on a tank while also producing purified air! Now that’s a technology we should all be shouting about.

World Land Trust The thought that planting ten trees a year will easily offset the amount of carbon generated by a single car is another interesting proposition. Recently, I bought three little Christmas trees and they are happily growing in their pots on my patio absorbing CO2. It’s a start.

In 2018 in Scotland 22 million trees were planted.

In England over the last eight years just 15 million trees were planted. The government has launched a £50m scheme to help boost tree-planting rates.

Watch videos of some of the cars featured in this article at www.testdrives.biz Plant a tree www.worldlandtrust.org/appeals/plant-a-tree/

HYUNDAI

01

FORD MONDEO

 2.0 ECOBLUE TITANIUM

THE CAR

SOMETIMES A LITTLE MORE SPACE IS REQUIRED

The Ford Mondeo was once synonymous with a very middle of the road reputation, however in 2020 that has all changed. The Ford Mondeo has a great reputation for drive and reliability, it has appealing modern lines and ticks a lot of practical boxes too. It’s a great family car.

LARGE CARS

THE DRIVE

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For such a big car the Mondeo feels nimble and agile on the road, it eases round corners and can tackle a twisty country road as well as it does a motorway. There is minimum wind and road noise and the diesel engines are surprisingly hushed.

Steering is confident and you’ll feel secure in any driving conditions.

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BMW 3 SERIES

 320D M SPORT

COMFORT AND SAFETY You will be comfortable and well supported over long journeys and there is plenty of adjustment in the seats.

The touchscreen infotainment system is clear and easy to use, but you will probably want to opt for a higher end model to upgrade the interior plastics to higher quality materials inside.

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 62.8 0-62mph: 9.7secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 118 Boot Capacity (litres): 654

THE CAR As with most BMWs, this executive saloon is aesthetically pleasing. It is sleek, modern and fun to drive. The premium feel is something BMW does very well and the 3 Series is no different. It has been a longstanding contender in the luxury saloon category for many years.

THE DRIVE The 3 Series handles fantastically well on the road, the steering is precise, the engines are powerful and the M Sport versions give great cornering skills. There is plenty of grip on all the models and there are plenty of engine options to choose from. If it’s speed you are after, the 330d has a sixcylinder engine that will get you 0-62mph in just 5.5secs.

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COMFORT AND SAFETY The plush interior is just what you would expect from a premium brand. The seats are supportive and there is plenty of adjustment. The infotainment screen looks sharp and is very easy to use, controlled either by touchscreen or by a dial. It achieved the full five stars in the Euro NCAP rating.

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 61.4 0-62mph: 7.5secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 121 Boot Capacity (litres): 500

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SEAT LEON ESTATE  1.0 TSI SE WHEN YOU NEED A CAR THAT CAN TRULY FIT EVERYTHING

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SKODA FABIA ESTATE  1.0 TSI 95 SE

THE CAR

world alight, but for its This reasonably priced estate affordable price tag you get a pleasant dashboard set is a serious contender in its up that is clear and easy respective category. It offers to navigate. Passengers are a cavernous 1,395-litre load area when the seats are down, treated to an abundance of it boasts a quality finish inside space and storage points and the SE trim gets you rear are plentiful. It comes with plenty of safety equipment parking sensors, a 6.5-inch and optional safety packages touchscreen infotainment system and air conditioning. can be added.

THE DRIVE

COMFORT AND SAFETY

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 51.4 0-62mph: 10.8secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 103 Boot Capacity (litres): 530

The interior won’t set the

THE CAR Based on the hatchback version, the SEAT Leon Estate offers an attractive option for families who are going against the SUV trend at the moment. With plenty of options on the trim, there is something to suit everyone.

Space is at a premium, so you can fit everything you need to travel in here.

COMFORT AND SAFETY Comfort is key in the SEAT Leon. Almost everything is adjustable to ensure you can find your optimum driving position, including the centre armrest. Visibility is great and the controls are laid out easily and clearly. The seating is comfortable and lumbar support is also included.

THE DRIVE You don’t need to opt for the top-of-the-range engine to get a great drive here. The 1.0-litre petrol engine will do everything you need it to, and more. It has great acceleration and control on the road, and the steering doesn’t disappoint. It’s not the most exciting ride, but it will get you from A to B in a respectable fashion.

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 58.9 0-62mph: 10.1secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 107 Boot Capacity (litres): 587

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ESTATE CARS

The Fabia Estate is a joy to drive. It has light, precise steering, it feels secure on the road, but is also fairly nippy for an estate. It is quiet and smooth to drive, handling well on all road surfaces.

There is no diesel option, but the turbocharged petrol engines are a great choice.

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DRIVING MOBILITY

Getting

On the

Driving Mobility are helping disabled people get behind the wheel, feeling safe and comfortable while doing so

ROAD

riving Mobility is a registered charity who help elderly and disabled people achieve independence through motoring. They have a network of over 20 driving assessment centres across the UK, and lots of additional satellite centres within charities and NHS centres, so there is likely one very close to you that can offer everything you need to get on the road.

in their lessons, or help with drivers who may have special educational needs.

Driving Mobility offer all sorts of assessments and tests. They offer driving tests for disabled people, but that’s just one of the many services you can access at a Driving Mobility centre.

If you have concern of how a medical condition may impact your driving, require modifications to your vehicle in order for you to control it safely, they can help. They also offer help to people who are considering buying WAVs - wheelchair accessible vehicles, parents and carers who may need an adapted car, or people who have experienced illness, injury or accident and would like to get driving.

Angela said: “I have always loved driving. I owned a FR sportscar before my illness which was fantastic, however five years ago I thought I would never drive again. The team at the hospital and Derby DrivAbility have been amazing, their support and knowledge has got me back on the road safely and with confidence. Many of the adaptations by Des Gosling are small but they make a massive difference. I’m lucky that I have good sensations in my arms so using the large touch screen to operate many of the controls is no hassle. I have tried prosthetic arms but I just can’t get on with them. All the clever features that have been added to my car mean I can get in and out on my own and I feel in control when driving. When my car first arrived, I was so excited I drove over 500 miles in the first week!

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Assessment centres offer valuable advice on which adaptations drivers may need, drivers’ ability, wheelchair and scooter loading and transport, and access to vehicles. Additionally, a number of centres offer advice on: wheelchair and scooter selection, motorcycles or HGVs, assessments for taxi drivers and PSV licence holders, postural support seating for air travellers, and paediatric assessment.

Young prospective drivers can benefit greatly from the services offered by Driving Mobility. First-time drivers who want to get behind the wheel, but may need a small amount of additional help, will find Driving Mobility are able to help with many things, from offering Deaf Aware driving instructors to aid 24

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Driving Mobility’s Derby centre helped Angela Yates, a passionate driver, get back behind the wheel after an illness.

They helped implement a number of adaptations to her car, including a steering cup, friction assisted door handles, easy release customised gear shift, and more.

“Before I went anywhere on my own I had specialist familiarisation driving lessons so I could get used to the new controls. When you experience a life changing operation, you don’t suddenly forget to drive, you just need to learn to drive differently. I’d driven a standard car for over 13 years however using my new controls wasn’t that difficult. The main issue I had come up against when trying other cars was getting in and out, but not with my Toyota. Derby DrivAbility helped me feel comfortable behind the wheel once more.”

Converting Wheelchair accessible vehicles to meet your individual requirements

TBC have attained the high technical standard required to become a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Recognised Converter

INTELLIGENCE • EMPATHY • CARE

NEW EURO 6 VW CADDY MAXI LIFE

Now tested for 200kg Wheelchair

6 Seater Capacity (Driver + Wheelchair User + 4 Passengers)

Standard features include: Original VW fuel tank Original VW rear suspension Continuous rear door seal Original VW seating throughout Rear parking sensors Gas strut assisted lightweight ramp 4 Courtesy vehicle available from your supplying VW Commercial Centre 4 4 4 4 4 4

Full European Type Approved

INTRODUCING THE NEW TBC VW T6.1 RANGE 4 Vehicle layouts:

• Wheelchair accessible vehicle • Internal transfer • Drive from wheelchair • Upfront passenger

Internal transfer or drive from wheelchair vehicle

Standard features include: 4 Wheelchair positions tested up to 200kg 4 Upfront passenger and drivers position (lowered floor) 4 Inboard or under floor lift 4 Docking stations 4 Models include; Transporter, Shuttle and Caravelle

Follow us on Facebook

Before you make any decision on choosing your next wheelchair accessible vehicle, please call:

0800 999 5090 www.tbcconversions.com

or log onto

CAR ACCESSORIES

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01 EZEE TURN STEERING KNOB This classy add-on for any conventional steering wheel makes it significantly easier to turn your vehicle. It makes reversing a much easier task, and greatly increases the range of motion which the driver can achieve with just a very small and non-permanent adaptation to the car’s steering wheel. £11.99 01273 719 889 essentialaids.com

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02 MODEL 31 HARNESS Keeping children safe is a top priority for parents, and this harness provides an additional layer of safety for both children and adults who may require it. It can be fitted over most single and bench-style car seats, and features a PVC chest pad and multiple front-facing buckles and fastenings. Available in child and adult sizes, it is designed to be used in association with seatbelts. £156 01253 852298 crelling.com

03 SMART LIFTER BOOT HOIST Easy to use, this smart lifter can lift all types of scooters and powerchairs into the boot of your vehicle, dramatically increasing your independence. It can lift up to 200kg in just 60 seconds, and can be fitted in most cars and WAVs with ease. It takes up very little space when not in use, and features a simple four-button control.

Available upon request 0800 009 2300 autochair.co.uk

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04 KWIK PARK LENS Simply pop this lens on your back window, and you’ll be able to reverse and parallel park with a greater degree of control over your spatial awareness. The removable refractory lens that’s suitable for any vehicle bends light, allowing you to experience a significantly larger field of vision behind your car. £8.69 0800 567 7222 mobilitysmart.co.uk

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05 IN-CAR INVERTER Don’t get caught out by a depleted battery leaving you high and dry, and without your mobility scooter when you’re out and about. This in-car charger plugs into the cigarette lighter socket of your car and can charge most 2A batteries. Don’t worry if your car doesn’t have a cigarette lighter - it can also be plugged into a USB port. £54.99 0333 015 5000 careco.co.uk

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06 HARLEY CAR SUPPORT Sitting in a car shouldn’t have to be an uncomfortable or painful experience. If you need a little more support in the driver’s seat, these car cushions are designed especially to provide solid lumbar support. Cast in the same shape as a car seat, the rigid polyurethane foam provides ample support for long journeys. £34.99 0161 8500884 abilitysuperstore.com

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01

KIA SPORTAGE ESTATE

 1.6 GDI ISG 1 5DR

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VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

 2.0 TDI 150 MATCH 5DR

THE CAR

With a five-star Euro NCAP rating, the Sportage is an The Kia Sportage is a popular incredibly safe ride. There’s family SUV, and for good great visibility from the reason. It’s a reliable car, with highly-positioned driver’s a nice sharp drive and on top seat, and all versions of the of everything, it’s a pleasant Sportage get a rear-view car to look at. As a brand, Kia camera as standard to help rate highly in terms of their ensure safe parking as well as reliability, offering a sevensafe driving. Speed and lane year warranty, so owners can assistance can also be fitted as expect a mostly trouble-free optional extras. experience.

THE DRIVE

FOR ON AND OFF ROAD NEEDS, THE SUVS ARE THE KINGS OF THE ROAD

Sportage owners can expect a sharp drive with predictable steering. The car features a sporty suspension set-up, which provides quite a firm driving experience, although it’s still a pleasantly smooth drive around towns and along motorways. You’ll find it grips the roads tightly and moves through corners well, making for a satisfying drive.

COMFORT AND SAFETY

Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 42.2 Brake Horsepower: 130 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 152 Boot Capacity (litres): 491

THE CAR The Volkswagen name is synonymous with quality, and quality is what you will receive from the Tiguan - in abundance. This newer edition of the car boasts more space and improved efficiency than its predecessor, and it comes highly rated from What Car? Seating flexibility is also a big draw if you need extra space for wheelchairs or equipment.

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SPECIFICATIONS

THE DRIVE Opting for the diesel engine nets you a few obvious performance extras, with this model suiting both cruising on motorways and driving through town. The Tiguan pulls away well from low revs, and offers a firm-butforgiving suspension which will absorb all but the biggest bumps. It’s a good drive, offering precise steering and plenty of grip.

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COMFORT AND SAFETY Alongside the Euro NCAP five-star review, it also received top scores from security experts Thatcham Research for resisting breakins and theft. The Match trim offers automatic emergency braking as standard, as well as cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. It’s a comfortable ride too, with lots of seat to get comfy on.

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 57 Brake Horsepower: 148 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 131 Boot Capacity (litres): 615

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BMW X2 HATCHBACK  18I SE 5DR

THE CAR The BMW X2 aims to give you the soul of a sporty coupé in the shell of a family SUV. The X2 delivers bags of space, comfort, and good drive quality along with the drive quality of a much sportier number.

Alongside the practicality of the car, you get the calibre of infotainment and interior design that’s to be expected of the BMW name.

THE DRIVE This version of the X2 is a surprisingly powerful petrol engine, and a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s sharp to respond, and while it doesn’t pull as hard as the diesel, it still pulls well. The car is comfortable at speed, making it a great choice for frequent motorway drivers.

The petrol engine also has a sportier sound than its diesel alternative.

COMFORT AND SAFETY

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DACIA DUSTER ESTATE

 1.0 TCE 100 ACCESS

Comfort takes precedent in the X2, and regardless of your height, you’ll be able to find a comfortable driving position in the driver’s seat. The interior has the little touches that make it feel highquality, as you’d expect from a BMW. It has a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, and comes with rear parking sensors as standard.

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 50.4 Brake Horsepower: 138 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 125 Boot Capacity (litres): 470

THE CAR Dacia might not be a wellknown name in the car industry, but the Romanian manufacturer has been a subsidiary of Renault since 1999. The Duster is a hard worker with a lot of choice, and is designed to run for miles on low-quality roads and paths, making it great for people who also want to take up country paths.

THE DRIVE Ideal for smooth motorway driving, the Duster is a nippy ride, and it’s surprisingly good at dealing with the little jostles you’ll experience driving around town, thanks to its high-profile tyres. The petrol engines are the quietest of the family, and handles predictably, so you’ll always know where you’re putting the car.

COMFORT AND SAFETY The car offers good visibility, better than some of its competitors. It has a threestar Euro NCAP safety rating, but still has a solid array of airbags and crash protection for both driver and passengers alike. Unfortunately, there aren’t a whole lot of safety add-ons, with blindspot monitoring being the only real option available.

SPECIFICATIONS Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 52.30 Brake Horsepower: 99 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 120 Boot Capacity (litres): N/A

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& CE Y VI ER ER IV S EL N D IO K T U LEC L CO

Adapted vehicles you can rent About us

Mobility Vehicle Hire Ltd is a daily rental company specifically servicing the specialist requirements of disabled drivers and passengers throughout the United Kingdom and are established suppliers of specifically adapted vehicles to cater for the needs of disabled drivers and passengers. Vehicles can be hired on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, and they also provide a door-to-door delivery and collection service. The company has a large portfolio of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and adapted cars which are sure to exceed your expectations.

New Showroom

The accessible vehicle specialists saw the opening of their bespoke new premises in Birmingham, located close to junction 7 of the M6, opened by Simon Weston CBE, who was voted one of the Nation’s Favourite Heroes and honoured as one of the top 100 Welsh Heroes, stemming from his charitable work. The new premises are wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking, and features a stunning new demonstration room for customers to view and try any of the vehicles Mobility Vehicle Hire has in the showroom. Simon was joined by the Mayor of Walsall, Marco Longhi, and Graham Footer, chief executive of Disabled Motoring UK. Vehicles on offer sport many adaptations, including infra-red controls, left foot accelerator, boot mounted scooter hoists, push pull hand controls, drive from and ride upfront vehicles, extended pedals and much more. In addition, Mobility Vehicle Hire can provide all sizes of WAVs, with either a rear ramp or an electric tail lift on larger vehicles. All Mobility Vehicle Hire rental vehicles are provided with a full 24-hour breakdown assistance service in the UK. The company will endeavour to beat any other quote you may receive and provide a high level of service throughout your hire.

Try Before You Buy

Mobility Vehicle Hire also provides PIP transition support: if you have been unsuccessful with your transition from DLA to PIP, the company can offer you a vehicle of your choice, included in a bespoke package tailored for your requirements. They can supply you with a short-term rental whilst you may want to go through your appeal process or alternatively, a long-term solution with a vehicle of your choice. The company also offers a Try Before You Buy scheme, which allows customers to hire a vehicle for three days, and, if it meets their needs, take out a long-term lease on it. The customer’s three-day lease will then be refunded from the on-going cost, providing a no obligation opportunity to ensure the vehicle is right for the customer.

Call 0845 293 2799 or email customersupport@specialistvehiclerental.co.uk to arrange a visit.

Visit Mobility Vehicle Hire’s brand new premises at Kudhail House, 238 Birmingham Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 7AH

Brotherwood The Right Fit

Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) specialists Brotherwood help the Collins family find the WAV that is right for them hen the Collins family were looking for a high quality, safe and discrete wheelchair accessible vehicle for their son Mark, they were drawn to the Brotherwood Klastar - a unique lowered floor WAV conversion for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class.

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Mark has an acquired brain injury which was the result of a motorbike accident that happened 21 years ago. As a result of this Mark has a wide variety of needs which their vehicle needs to accommodate and they were keen to secure a vehicle that was as close a modern-style car as possible, without compromising on quality or safety.

The Klastar conversion, with its central wheelchair location, enables

Mark to travel in comfort, with a good view out of the windows. The remote-controlled ramp takes the effort out of loading, whilst the PAWRS (combined winch and restraint system) and STORQ selftensioning restraint system were features that particularity appealed as the safest and most suitable system for Mark’s needs.

The Klastar is used and relied on daily, and enables the Collins family to carry out everyday tasks including shopping, going for meals and many other family activities.

Mrs Collins added: “This is our second vehicle from Brotherwood, we have experienced many other companies that provide a similar service however, the standard of service, quality of product and overall experience from Brotherwood was outstanding compared to the other companies. After discovering Brotherwood we would not get our vehicles from anyone else and we will be continuing to use them in the future.

“We are extremely happy with our vehicle and would recommend this vehicle to others because of the safety aspects and the luxurious spec that the vehicle provides.”

To find out more about the wheelchair accessible vehicles that Brotherwood offer call 0808 149 2344 or visit brotherwood.com.

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CONVERTING

VEHICLES With Intelligence, Empathy and Care

BC Conversions is one of the UK’s leading conversion companies specialising in the conversion and supply of wheelchair accessible vehicles, vehicle adaptations and taxi and bus conversions. Employing over 85 people many with specialist skills, with locations in Birkenhead and Dungannon, the company has assisted customers with high quality and affordable wheelchair accessible vehicles since its inception in 2006.

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With Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Convertor status, TBC convert high-quality vehicles for customers throughout the UK and Ireland.

The VW Caddy Maxi Life has six seat capacity, driver plus wheelchair user and four passengers. Fitted as standard is the TBC Mobility Conversions award-winning rear door seal, which we believe is the quietest on the market, reducing noise and heat loss, a feature unique to TBC Conversions.

The VW T6.1 range offers customers a high degree of flexibility, with various seating plan options available to suit specific wheelchair requirements. There are several available layout options that include, wheelchair accessible vehicle, internal transfer, drive from wheelchair and upfront passenger, offering four different wheelchair positions. The T6.1 models include the Transporter, Shuttle and Caravelle.

All vehicles are now tested for a 200kg wheelchair and have full European Type Approval which is the confirmation that the conversion work undertaken will meet specified performance standards. From a consumer’s perspective it is all about safety.

TBC Mobility Conversions believe that local people should have local service and have partnered with selected Volkswagen Commercial Van Centres throughout GB and Northern Ireland.

This means you are never far from help if you have an issue with your VW vehicle or require a courtesy vehicle.

TBC work closely with a wide range of manufacturers including Volkswagen, Mercedes, Ford, Citroen and Vauxhall and offer wheelchair accessible vehicle conversions to meet your individual requirements. The TBC Taxi and Bus Conversions division also supply bespoke accessible minibuses offering vehicles for up to 16 passenger seats plus driver and up to six wheelchairs.

To find out more about our range of conversions or to book your no obligation free home demonstration call us free on 0800 999 5090 or visit tbcconversions.com/mobility.

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HomeSupport

™

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ALLIED MOBILITY At Allied Mobility, you’re our number one priority.

We know car mishaps can happen and we also know how inconvenient it can be organising a repair for your wheelchair accessible vehicle. hat’s why we’ve teamed up with our sister brand, Allied Autocare, and invested in 30 specialised mobile support vans that can come to your home to provide vehicle assistance when you need it most.

We want to save you the worry of getting to and from a garage or arranging alternative transport while your car’s getting some TLC.

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For most cars, a service is required either every year or two years and includes important safety inspections on things like brakes and tyres, changing vital lubricants and attending to a full list of checks designed to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently.

HASSLE-FREE MOTORING With HomeStay™ vehicle servicing is hassle-free and saves you time and money. There’s no additional charge for this personalised service. If you own your own WAV, you still pay only standard maintenance rates, as you would at a regular motor dealer. For Motability Scheme customers, all costs will be automatically covered through your Motability lease contract.

CALL US TODAY For more information on repairs or servicing, call our friendly advisors on 0800 587 9613. Find out more about Allied Mobility at alliedmobility.com. *Accessible parts repairs available for all vehicles. **HomeStay™ vehicle servicing is currently available to Ford and Peugeot cars.

HOW WE HELP Are you having problems with a squeaky wheelchair ramp? Or is your electric winch tangled? Our helpful mobility advisors can diagnose your problem over the phone. They’ll then arrange to have a mobile technician visit you at home to get you back on the road.* WHAT ABOUT VEHICLE SERVICING? Whether it’s your own adapted car or a Motability lease vehicle, it’s important to keep your pride and joy up to date with the regular maintenance schedule recommended by its manufacturer. With Allied Autocare’s specialised support vans, you have the added benefit of receiving a roadside service**, right outside your own home. with

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INSURANCE

TAKING COVER Getting insurance for your vehicle is important, but making sure you benefit from the quote you go for is just as vital any years ago, disabled drivers may have found it more difficult to get a good quote for their car insurance - or even a quote at all! - because insurance companies struggled to understand the concept of vehicle adaptations. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. Not only is it a far less common occurrence, but under the Equality Act 2010, it’s illegal to both reject someone from getting car insurance, or to charge them more money, on the grounds of a disability, unless the insurer can prove that it’s a justified additional charge.

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There are lots of insurance companies out there for you to shop around and get quotes from, so remember not to feel obligated to go for the first one that gives you a quote, especially if you think it’s unreasonable.

There’s also the option to go to comparison sites like Go Compare and others, where you can input all of your details and get an assortment of quotes from a vast array of insurance companies. Be aware that not all companies can be optioned in this manner - large insurers like Direct Line, and smallerscale firms who may be able to provide

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good, comprehensive insurance may not be on comparison sites.

You also have the option to insure your vehicle through specialist insurers who exclusively cater to disabled clientele.

This can have benefits which, when you weigh them up against a non-specialist insurer, may be a massive advantage to you.

Insurance companies like Fish Insurance and Chartwell may provide you benefits that you wouldn’t see elsewhere. For example, Fish advertise that some of their key benefits include turning claim-free years on the Motability Scheme into a no-claims bonus with them, the cover of repair and replacement of adaptations, protections for mobility aids carried within vehicles, and car insurance for carers and personal assistants.

Something important that you may want to take into consideration are the additional benefits that come with selecting a particular insurance company. Going with a specialist insurer may allow you to get additional insurance on wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or prosthesis at a lower cost, which may be beneficial. Of course, if you don’t require this, it might not be as

important to you; taking out your insurance with a company who cover a wide range of cover, for example, home or contents insurance, you may find yourself able to take out reasonably priced cover for your vehicle, as well as getting a cheaper quote for home insurance.

You may also want to consider what type of courtesy car you will get when you take out insurance. Specialist insurers are more likely to offer a “like-for-like” scenario when you require a courtesy car, meaning the car you receive will have most or all of the adaptations you may require in order to get around. Some will offer credit towards the Motability Scheme in place of an adapted vehicle, should you find yourself unable to acquire one which has the adaptations you need.

It’s also important to remember the benefits of being transparent and upfront about what you want. If you like the benefits of an insurer but you find their prices a bit steep, you’re within your rights to drop them a call and ask if that’s the best offer they can do for you. Often, you’ll find that polite and firm questioning of quotes can cause them to slide somewhat in favour of your wallet!

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