Motoring 2017

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Motoring  Your essential guide to vehicles on the Motability Scheme

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magazine

Issue 4 - April 2017 | posabilitymagazine.co.uk

Take trails

TOP TIPS Find out what you’re entitled to for your test

to the

The on-road, off-road family vehicle. What can an SUV do for you?

Kia Picanto Small, stylish and economic. The fantastic new Kia Picanto is the ideal car whether you’re a city or country dweller.

PLUS +

FINDING THE PERFECT WAV CAR REVIEWS INSURANCE

LOVE THE C A R THE BIG E VENT

THE ALL-NEW FORD KUGA

Avaiable on Ford Motability at Evans Halshaw Ford

Get a Ford on Motability from £0 Advance Payment at Evans Halshaw Ford » A New Ford every 3 Years » 60,000 Mile Allowance » Insurance and Road Tax included » All Servicing, Maintenance, Windscreen and Tyre Replacement Costs built in » Accident and Breakdown Cover » Many Adaptations at No Extra Cost » Ability to nominate up to 2 Drivers

Visit your nearest Evans Halshaw Ford Dealership and speak to one of our Motability Specialists today

evanshalshaw.com/ford

All information is correct at time of print and is subject to change without notice. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Images shown for illustration purposes only. Offers end 31/03/2017. Vehicles available while stocks last. Excess mileage charge may apply. Full details available from Evans Halshaw Ford about the Motability Scheme. Terms and conditions apply, please visit www.motability.co.uk for full details of how the scheme works. Stripestar Limited is a credit broker/intermediary that can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. They may incentivise us for introducing you to them.

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Motoring

WELCOME

Medium Car Reviews

Welcome Our team

Editor: Lisa Mitchell Designer: Stephen Flanagan Staff Writers: Colette Carr and Niki Tennant Marketing: Sophie Scott Contributors: Dan White, Peter Lynne, Helen Dolphin and John Killick Sales: Valerie Speers

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

T

he fourth instalment of our annual motoring magazine for disabled drivers has finally arrived.

Motoring with PosAbility is the annual PosAbility Magazine supplement that guides and advises you through all things vehicular.

In this issue, you will find a large variety of reviews and everything you need to know about a huge amount of cars that are available through the Motability Scheme.

You can find the Motability Scheme thoroughly explained on page 7 and, following that, on page 10, you can read more on the 10th anniversary of Motability’s Big Event in Manchester.

You will also be able to read interesting motoring articles, such as explaining what the PAS 2012 test is and what it

can mean for you on page 38, or on page 31 read the article that guides you through what added help, as a disabled driver, you are entitled to during sitting your test.

We also explore a selection of vehicles of all different shapes and sizes from small to large and estates to SUVs for you to peruse and even a guide to helping you choose the right insurance for your needs.

For those drivers out there that need the assistance of a wheelchair accessible vehicle, discover our WAV section starting on page 42.

We hope you find Motoring with PosAbility Magazine insightful, helpful and interesting, if you would like to ensure you receive Motoring with PosAbility every year, please email enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk

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.

Copyright 2017 Š2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.

ISSN 2056-4368.

Editor, Motoring with PosAbility Magazine

Motoring with

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Contents April 2017 | Issue 4

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BMW Review 07 The Motability Scheme

Small Cars

12

Everything you need to know about leasing your car through Motability

12 Small Cars Discover a huge selection of versatile city cars

15 Medium Cars Affordable and practical, ideal for the modern family

19 For the Love of Cars

Columnist Dan White explains how he stopped worrying and learned to love his car

22 Large Cars Putting Space and comfort first 4

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25 What Do I Do Now? Advice from MASIS and Disabled Motorists Federation for drivers who have developed a disability

28 The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Who said family cars had to be boring

31 Push for a Pass What are disabled learner drivers entitled to in the practical driving test?

32 SUVs A look at the increasingly popular and practical crossovers available

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Medium Cars

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What Do I Do Now?

Large Cars

35 Nissan Qashqai What Qashqai does it for you?

36 Estates If space is what you are looking for, look no further

38 What is PAS 2012?

What the accreditation can mean for you

42 WAVs

35

SUVs

Qashqai Review

What wheelchair accessible vehicle are you looking for?

49 Insurance Advice on choosing the right insurance

50 Events Discover what motoring events are happening near you

46

Lewis Reed

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MAKE EVERY TRIP AN ADVENTURE

With our Motability offers, you can be behind the wheel of a Volvo for less.

A unique interior, intelligent design and innovative technology set these two models apart, so with Motability you know you’re driving a great deal.

DISCOVER THE VOLVO R ANGE SE ARCH VOLVO MOTABILIT Y

V40 D3 CROSS COUNTRY MANUAL WITH AN ADVANCE PAYMENT OF £1,599*.

V40 T3 MOMENTUM MANUAL WITH AN ADVANCE PAYMENT OF £499*.

METALLIC PAINT AND REAR PARK ASSIST INCLUDED.

METALLIC PAINT AND REAR PARK ASSIST INCLUDED.

Fuel consumption and CO2 figures for the Volvo V40 range in MPG (I/100 km): Urban 33.2 (8.5) – 70.6 (4.0), Extra Urban 54.3 (5.2) – 85.6 (3.3), Combined 44.1 (6.4) – 78.5 (3.6). CO2 emissions 149 – 94g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. *Advance Payment of £1,599 is for the Volvo V40 D3 Cross Country Manual. Metallic Paint and Rear Park Assist included. Advance Payment of £499 is for the Volvo V40 T3 Momentum Manual. Metallic Paint and Rear Park Assist included. Offer available on the Motability Contract Hire Scheme. 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 mileage allowance over 3 years; excess mileage charges may apply. Offer available from 01/04/2017 to 30/06/2017 subject to availability at participating dealers. 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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Motoring

MOTABILITY SCHEME

The Motability Scheme For decades, the Motability Scheme has offered a trusted and popular service for disabled drivers helping them get behind the wheel.

etting the service users up with a new or used car, wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV), scooter or powered wheelchair, the scheme helps those who previously were only issued with a small trike unable to take passengers.

And in their 39th year, the scheme continues to grow from strength to strength having improved the independence of over four million scheme users.

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Recipients of the DLA (Disability Living Allowance) or PIP (Personal Independence Payment) may be eligible to benefit from the scheme, being provided with safe, reliable and affordable vehicles.

The scheme currently provides over

600,000 disabled people and their families with support, enabling them to exchange their mobility allowance to lease a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter. Disabled people may apply for the support if they have at least 12 months’ award length remaining when they apply: • Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance • Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment • War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement • Armed Forces Independence Payment However, a parent or carer can apply on behalf of a child aged three or older and non-drivers can apply with up to two nominated drivers.

“...a parent or carer can apply on behalf of a child aged three or older and non-drivers can apply with up to two nominated drivers.”

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Motoring

MOTABILITY SCHEME

These appointed drivers must live within five miles of you and be at least 21 years old if they do not live with you. All drivers must possess a clean licence clear of all driving convictions, disqualifications or endorsements for five years.

By transferring their mobility allowance to lease a suitable vehicle, users will also receive insurance, tyre and windscreen replacement, servicing, breakdown cover and road tax. From a wide range of major manufacturers, users can choose from a selection of over 4000 brand new cars, with a similar scheme for powered wheelchairs and scooters.

These are supplied by a national network of 4,500 Motability Dealer Partners. They offer: • A new car on a three-year lease • A new WAV on a five-year lease • A WAV (less than two and a half years old) on a three-year lease • A new scooter or powered wheelchair on a three-year lease • A custom-built powered wheelchair on a three-year lease An additional upfront payment known as an “Advance Payment” may be required for larger or hi-tech vehicles.

This non-refundable payment is not a deposit and covers the difference between your allowance for the duration of the lease and the car, but there is a wide range of around 450 vehicles available at no additional cost.

A standard or automatic car is generally suitable for most Motability Scheme users, however around 10% of vehicles need adaptations to ensure safe driving or comfortable travel that are available at no additional cost. These adaptations include steering wheel knobs, hand controls for brakes and accelerators and wheelchair hoists. Accredited Motability specialists are on hand to help you choose the right car for your adaptations.

Take fuel consumption and cost into careful consideration when deciding on your car. Ensure you know your budget so you can choose the best car suited. By checking manufacturers’ websites for information on fuel type, consumption and expenditure, you can have an informed understanding of the cars available. Over a three-year period 8

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“By checking manufacturers’ websites for information on fuel type, consumption and expenditure, you can have an informed understanding of the cars available.” under the scheme, you are entitled to 60,000 miles.

The Scheme’s Specialised Vehicles Fund supports the most severely disabled people in need of help. WAVs and heavily adapted vehicles are leased for typically five years. Your Motability supplier must be made aware of any adaptations made, and they must be carried out by a Motability accredited specialist.

Suppliers including Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc (RSA) and RAC will advise on insurance and other driving services available, plus information on buying a car, arranging insurance and other services including breakdown cover. A leading broker is also on hand to offer insurance quotes to those who have previously used the Scheme that recognises no-claims history on the Scheme when your lease ends.

Any help and support for WAVs will be given on a case by case basis to ensure Motability can help you in the best possible way in the future to ensure you can keep your current wheelchair accessible vehicle.

A spokesperson from Motability said:

“In the late 1970’s the Government wanted to find an alternative to the unsocial and potentially unsafe blue trikes supplied through their vehicle scheme and introduced a cash mobility benefit which would enable disabled people to spend the money on their disability needs, in whatever way best suited themselves and their families.

“It became clear that even with the new allowance, the ability to access a car was still beyond the reach of most recipients. The Government asked the late Lord Goodman to consider how disabled people could use the allowance to affordably obtain a vehicle. He enlisted the help of Lord Sterling (the current Chairman of Motability) and together they devised the Motability Scheme. Motability was formed as an independent charity with all-party Parliamentary support in 1977. Motability Operations (formerly Motability Finance Ltd) was established around the same time to operate the Motability Scheme under contract to Motability.”

For more info on what’s on offer with Motability visit www.motability.co.uk. 

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Motoring THE BIG EVENT

The Big Event Help the Motability Scheme celebrate 10 years of events by heading to Manchester for The Big Event.

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eld at EventCity in the Intu Trafford Centre on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 May from 9am to 4pm, the event will provide all the usual services that are on offer at Motability events and more to put on the biggest show yet.

Over 100 cars from 28 manufacturers will be on the floor and The Big Event also boasts over 40 scooters and powered wheelchairs and more than 35 adapted cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) to make it the UK’s largest display of Motability Scheme vehicles.

With free entry, parking, refreshments and entertainment for families in the fully accessible indoor venue, the fun filled days will allow you to enjoy learning more about the scheme and vehicles on offer in a relaxed atmosphere.

Assistance dogs are welcome and there are a limited number of scooters and manual wheelchairs available to borrow free of charge if booked online prior to the event.

The event also provides visitors with the opportunity to test drive over 45 cars from a range of manufacturers, and with both non-adapted cars and 18 with fitted adaptations, both drivers and passengers can find out what best suits their needs. The adapted cars are fitted with a wide range of different adaptations including hand controls, steering wheel balls, electronic brakes and left foot accelerators.

Professional driving instructors will be present throughout to ensure your drive is as smooth and safe as possible and get the most out of your time in the car.

WAVs are not available for test drives, but experts will be on hand to help you book a home demonstration after the event.

Booking your test drive couldn’t be

“Visitors can do everything from gathering practical advice about the vehicles available through the Scheme, to the hands-on experience of a test drive.”

Allison Beasley, One Big Day Event Manager

easier – simply choose your car, present the test drive team with your licence and sign the declaration form, and visit the website to see all terms and conditions.

Alison Beasley, One Big Day Event Manager explained just why even after 10 years the Motability Scheme’s One Big Day events still attract attendees in huge numbers.

She said: “Our One Big Day events really offer something different, they enable disabled motorists to find out everything the need, all in one place.

“Visitors can do everything from gathering practical advice about the vehicles available through the Scheme,

to the hands-on experience of a test drive. There’s also lots of entertainment to keep younger visitors happy, with free face painting, balloon modelling and meeting the Motability Scheme mascot, Billy the Bear - it’s a great day out!”

Find out more about The Big Event at motability.co.uk/thebigevent or call 0800 953 7000 and quote ‘MO713D’ or visit their Facebook page ‘Motability Events’.

For information on leasing a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme, visit motability.co.uk or call 0800 953 7000.

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Motoring SMALL CARS

Kia Picanto  1.0 3dr

Hyundai i10  1.0 SE 5dr

Motability Payment: £0 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 60.10

THE CAR The new i10 makes advanced technology available to more people than ever before.

Responding to customer demand for simple connectivity features, the new i10 Premium SE includes the latest connectivity features, all integrated into the new seven-inch touchscreen navigation system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto guarantee seamless integration, safe operation and mirrored functionality of mobile devices based on iOS or the Android operating system. In order to be up-to-date, the new i10 Premium SE’s navigation system comes with a seven-year free subscription to LIVE Services, offering real-time traffic and weather conditions, points of interest as well as the position of speed cameras in countries where this is permitted by law. Customers do not even have to choose: the i10 Premium SE is the only car in its class to offer Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and LIVE Services in a single infotainment system.

THE LOOK The i10 features a new bumper design and new round LED daytime running lights on Premium and Premium SE models, positioned at the edges of the new cascading grille. At the rear, the i10 is also characterised by an evolved bumper design with a black inlay and round fog lights and redesigned rear lights with a darker housing for a sportier look. Redesigned side mouldings with a new shape and size round off the i10’s fresh profile. Moving to the interior, from SE trim and above, the i10 now comes with a no cost

Brake Horsepower (BHP): 66 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 108 Boot Capacity (litres): 218

option of red or blue interior trim alongside the standard black cloth interior. The i10 introduces a new design of 14-inch steel wheels on S and SE models, new design 14inch alloy wheels on Premium models, with Premium SE models continuing with 15-inch alloy wheels. Enhancements in ride and handling due to larger front bump stops, a modified steering gear ratio and magnesium steering wheel structure round off the i10’s segment-leading package.

COMFORT AND SAFETY In terms of safety options, the i10 now comes with two new advanced features to actively avoid accidents, both based on the new multi-functional camera: a Front Collision Warning System (FCWS) and a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS). Using front camera sensors, the FCWS alerts the driver acoustically and visually about collision risks arising from other vehicles. The LDWS alerts the driver with an audio alarm sound if the car moves over lane markings to prevent unsafe movements. LDWS and FCWS are optional on SE models and above as part of the Driver Assist Pack.

On the convenience side, the i10 scores with the tried and tested feature package of its predecessor: automatic air conditioning on SE and SE Blue models, with Premium and Premium SE equipped with climate control as standard. Heated steering wheel and heated front seats on Premium SE make it an ideal companion for every weather condition and every activity. Up to five people fit into the roomy interior and the segment-leading boot volume of 252 litres offers generous storage.

THE CAR The three-door Picanto is a practical small car with five seats and a big boot within an overall length of less than 3.6 metres, just like the five-door. And while its primary role might not be as a family runabout, Kia has done everything to make access to the back easy for those occasions when owners want to give a lift to friends or relatives. Sliding and tilting front seats provide a wide ‘walk-in’ to the split rear bench.

THE LOOK The Picanto’s new-found maturity is reflected in the interior design and the choice of sophisticated trim materials, which set a benchmark in the A-sector for quality. The major controls are arranged in a way which is attractive while ensuring they are easy to use. The layout emphasises the width and space of the cabin.

The Picanto now features chrome embellishments around the cylinder cluster and on the air vent knobs and a high-gloss black cover on the gear selector – detailed additions which enhance the quality and workmanship evident throughout the cabin.

There is also an upgraded audio system with fewer buttons and faster responses.

COMFORT AND SAFETY Kia’s democratic approach to occupant

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Motoring Motability Payment: £0 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 62.80 Brake Horsepower (BHP): 65 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 105 Boot Capacity (litres): 200

Nissan Micra  1.2 Acenta 5dr Motability Payment: £0 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 56.50

THE CAR Engaging, fun to drive and packed with technology and equipment, the Micra has been a cornerstone of the Nissan range for more than 30 years. Significantly updated in 2013, the Micra boasts a host of advanced features, along with Nissan’s famous attention to detail and refined experience.

At its heart, the Micra remains true to the design ethos that shaped the definitive small car when the original was launched.

More than six million Micras have been sold globally, confirming it as one of the world’s favourite small cars.

safety – the belief that all customers deserve equal protection – includes a full range of standard features that make many potential accidents preventable. A stiff body structure – with optimum crumple zones to absorb crash impacts while preventing intrusion into the passenger cell – is the first line of defence and there is a complete set of passive safety equipment. Pedestrians are not forgotten, either, with measures to help protect them in an accident.

SMALL CARS

Introduced as part of the comprehensive update package introduced in 2013, the Micra has a striking new look inside and out.

The cabin showcases the very latest Nissan technology, along with a striking new centre console and trim.

THE LOOK Combining bold details with familiar Nissan design cues, the Micra brings a real sense of style and occasion to the small car market.

The front end is characterised by a striking new grille arrangement, and features the traditional circular badge ‘held’ within a chromed extended V-shaped motif. Assertive

Brake Horsepower (BHP): 79 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 115 Boot Capacity (litres): 265

and dynamic, the rest of the Micra showcases Nissan’s passion for small car design, with flowing lines and neat details merging together to give a fresh and modern look.

Acenta adds chrome accents, body colour door mirrors and handles, 15-inch alloy wheels, roof spoiler, front fog lamps, driver’s armrest, leather covered steering wheel, cruise control and speed limiter, plus automatic control for the headlamps and wipers.

COMFORT AND SAFETY Acenta grade has a durable tricot mesh woven fabric - a material often used for sports clothing. The new system also incorporates advanced features such as Google Send-ToCar technology, which allows an owner to plan a journey on their PC or tablet at home or in the office and then send the instructions to the car ahead of the journey.

Google’s Point of Interest (POI) search-andaccess to weather forecasts, local fuel prices and flight information, is also included. The navigation system now includes a motorway ‘exit view’ complete with lane guidance to help when leaving highways and the system also displays prevailing speed limits with a driver-set speed warning providing visual and audible alerts when the car hits a certain speed above the limit.

Kia’s approach is that the most survivable accident is the one that never happens, so the Picanto’s electronic safety equipment includes the potentially lifesaving features of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) to keep the car on course in slippery conditions or when cornering in an over-exuberant manner. All versions have anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to apportion stopping effort to the wheels with most traction, and Emergency Brake Assist (BAS), ensuring maximum stopping power in an emergency, regardless of the pressure applied to the pedal by the driver.

Should the worst happen, every Picanto has front, side and curtain airbags to cushion heads and torsos against impacts from any angle. Front seat-belt pre-tensioners and load limiters brace occupants against a crash impact while reducing the risk of chest injury.

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ADVANCE PAYMENTS START AT

£1,495 THE NEW KIA SOUL WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE The Sirus Kia Soul is our vision of a modern wheelchair accessible passenger vehicle. Compact, stylish, and based upon a highly acclaimed family car, we have taken all of our engineering know how and created our first rear passenger conversion for many years.

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Motoring

MEDIUM CARS

Honda Civic  1.4 SE Plus 5DR Motability Payments: £0 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 51.4 Brake Horsepower: 99 CO2 Emmisons (g/km): 131 Car Boot Capacity: 477

Medium Cars THE CAR Three engines are available when selecting the Honda Civic: 1.4litre and 1.8litre petrol and 1.6litre diesel. A stalwart, the steady 1.4litre performs well for casual town driving, but if you require something with a bit more oomph, the 1.8litre is responsive and nippy. The 1.6litre diesel is an economical prime performer which doesn’t need to be worked too hard.

Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are exceptionally good in the 1.6.

One of Honda Civic’s biggest bonuses is its huge 477litre capacity boot. The model also has clever, space-saving rear seats which can either be folded flat or flipped up like cinema seats.

THE LOOK Limping behind some of the other cars in its class, certain aspects of the Civic’s interior fall short ergonomically.

The driver will have to crane beyond the steering wheel to view the instruments.The SE Plus model has

a few add-ons, such as a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and automatic lights and wipers.

With 17in alloy wheels, the Civic has body colour front bumper, wheel arches and skirt cover, with optional interior packs in black and red.

COMFORT AND SAFETY Although in general the Civic scores highly for space and practicality, taller drivers and passengers will take issue with its poor headroom. Legroom both front and rear is generous, and the boot is enormous. Every Civic has six airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints and stability control. Standard security kit includes deadlocks and an alarm.

When you consider that the Civic has energy-absorbing front wing mounts and windscreen wiper pivots designed to break away on impact, it’s little wonder that the car was awarded fivestar crash test rating from Euro New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP). www.honda.co.uk/civic

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Motoring

MEDIUM CARS

Citroën C4 Picasso  1.6BlueHDi Touch Edition 5dr Motability Payments: £595 Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 74.3

THE CAR Comfortable, spacious and reliable, new Citroën C4 Picasso offers all qualities required for a great family trip. The five-seat version brings you the essence of Citroën design and technological innovation, with the bold dynamic lines and the unmistakable light signature both front and rear. Inside, new levels of comfort and versatility combine to create an engaging and inspiring place for everyone.

Whichever engine you choose for a new Citroën C4 Picasso, you will benefit from benchmark CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Both BlueHDi and PureTech are designed to go lower than ever, whilst delivering inspiring performance and long distance refinement.

But this family car has child safety at its heart with an impressive five Star Euro NCAP safety rating and ISOFIX mountings on all three seats in the second row as Citroën become the best family car brand in the 2017 Mumii Family Awards.

THE LOOK Kids love the car but Citroën C4 Picasso will also be a pleasure for you to drive with some great features such as the clear seven-inch Touchscreen Interface which

Mazda3  2.0 SE 5DR

Brake Horsepower: 99 CO2 Emmisons (g/km): 100 Car Boot Capacity: 537-630

is totally intuitive. This MPV also offers a high driving position and a panoramic widescreen for excellent view of your surroundings.The 360° vision parking system is a fantastic extra that allows you to view the immediate surroundings of your car, beyond your normal field of vision making it one of the safest and easier cars to park. The interior offers a futuristic and technologic design.

COMFORT AND SAFETY The new Citroën C4 Picasso is acknowledged for its market-leading comfort and practicality embodied by the Citroën Advanced Comfort®, which perfectly demonstrates the brand’s expertise in that domain. It provides a peaceful travel environment. The comfortable seats and the panoramic glass sunroof give a feeling of well-being to all the passengers in the car and make the car seem much more spacious. Taller passengers can have a lot of space thanks to the extra distance between front and rear wheels which features a large legroom.

The comfy individual rear seats can recline or fold flat to create room and the handsfree tailgate opens or shuts the boot with just one swipe of the foot under the car.

THE CAR In the medium cars market, the Mazda3 is without doubt in a class of its own.

Head and shoulders above its rivals, it is stylishly substantial, well equipped and a pleasure to drive.

Available in a range of petrol and diesel engines, the Mazda3 is efficient to run and is a good value buy that comfortably undercuts its rivals’ price tags.

The Mazda’s 118bhp two-litre petrol engine is not turbocharged, so be prepared to have to put in a bit of work to make significant gains.

Refinement ratings let it down. Unlike some of the competition, it’s a pity the Mazda 3 falls down on motorway whistling wind and road noise and it doesn’t go quietly when the revs rise.

THE LOOK Sleek and stylish in design, the Mazda 3 is well equipped and does smack of quality.

At their most basic, SE models come with 16-inch alloys, Bluetooth, a pair of USB sockets and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls.

A seven-inch colour touchscreen is mounted on top of the dashboard and the buttons and dials for the air con are clearly labelled and easily negotiated.

An attractive car that appeals to most demographics, the dashboard is kitted out in dense, soft-touch plastics which add to its quality appeal.

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Motoring

MEDIUM CARS

Motability Payments: £0 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 55.4 Brake Horsepower: 118 CO2 Emmisons (g/km): 119 Car Boot Capacity: 364

Skoda Rapid  1.2 TSI SE 5DR Motability Payment: £0 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 57.7

THE CAR COMFORT AND SAFETY Having achieved a five-star Euro New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) crash test rating, all versions of the 3 are equipped with six airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system and stability control.

The Mazda3 boasts head and leg room in abundance and the ample boot space is further enhanced by the rear seats’ ability to fold until flush with the boot floor to accommodate lengthy loads.

There is plenty of scope to adjust the seat and steering wheel, so drivers should enjoy a comfortable ride during journeys. It should be stressed, though, that rear visibility is poor and back seat passengers may feel somewhat restricted due to the model’s dipping roofline and rising window line.

Security experts Thatcham awarded the Mazda3 full marks for its theft foiling features, giving drivers extra peace of mind.

With the Skoda Rapid, not very much money will buy you a whole lot of space. But you’ll have to be willing to compromise on comfort and refinement with model from one of the world’s oldest car manufacturers. Look at the cabin materials within the Skoda Rapid and it’s evident that with this car, you get what you pay for. The fabric looks cheap and lacks that quality feel. It’s certainly spacious and boasts generous boot space, but the road and wind noise is excessive. It also doesn’t have the agile ride promised by some of its rivals.

Its running costs are competitive, it’s fuel efficient and it’s reasonably priced to buy, but its emissions levels aren’t as low as one might expect.

THE LOOK The use of tried and tested parts make it dependable. Behind the wheel, the layout of the controls is well enough constructed. With the SE trim comes electric front and rear windows and

Brake Horsepower (BHP): 108 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 110 Boot Capacity (litres): 550

electrically adjustable door mirrors, alongside 15-inch alloys, air conditioning and Bluetooth. By pushing the boat out for the top-of-the-range Elegance trim, you’ll get 16-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, climate control and a front centre arm rest, but it’s questionable whether it’s worth the extra expense. The cabin feels sturdy.

COMFORT AND SAFETY In terms of security kit, the Skoda Rapid offers the bare minimum of an alarm and remote central locking system. It scored five stars when it went through its Euro NCAP crash test paces, and comes with six airbags, stability control and ISOFIX child seat mounting points. The ample space in the back means it’s no surprise that the Skoda Rapid is a firm favourite with families and there’s no shortage of leg and head room. The rear seats can be accessed with ease.

The car’s firm suspension settings mean it underperforms when travelling over bumps at low speed and the ride, overall, can be uncomfortable at times. www.skoda.co.uk

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Motoring

DAN WHITE

How I learned to stop worrying and love the car Here, PosAbility Kids’ Corner columnist, Dan White, speaks to us about how The Motability Scheme helped to set him and his daughter Emily out on the road.

he wheelchair accessible vehicle is without doubt beyond essential. Especially if you have ever tried to make use of public transport, which can be a joke when it comes to accomodating wheelchairs and walkers.

T

When Emily trundled around in her first wheelchair, we like so many thousands were of course ecstatic at this newfound freedom she had as we saw the fierce look of exploration and the ‘what-sort-of-damage-can-I-do-now?’ expression she wore on her face.

But we knew she was growing and it wouldn’t always be as easy as carrying her to the car and taking the two-door to the seaside.

Emily was now giving independence a go, and if we were to trave,l we needed transportation that accommodated

her wheels and a Ford Fiesta with the unfortunate number plate ‘NOB’ was not going to cut it.

Looking back now, at the beginning it was not that easy picking a vehicle.

I could probably count on one hand all the things I know about cars. Cars are not my thing. If it goes when I get in - fine. If it stops before a cliff- edge even better, but now I had to get my head around not only gears, wheels and oil changes but ramps, straps, head supports and how many doors! Now Chris Evans is out of a motoring job I could have used him.

So, with eyes wide shut, my everbrilliant wife Aimee and I ventured into that too unknown wasteland of static cars called the Car Showroom, an area populated by salesmen who are sometimes so oily, they must brush their teeth with Brylcreem. 

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Motoring DAN WHITE

What we wanted I assumed was simple enough, a car to accommodate a wheelchair user desperate to see places other than the kitchen

What we wanted I assumed was simple enough, a car to accommodate a wheelchair user desperate to see places other than the kitchen, some advice and maybe a test drive and see what was on offer. However, what seemed more on the mind of the fixed grin attendee was how good the stereo was and all he could offer was “I don’t know, I’ll check with the boss.” Bye then.

shut the door.

But, yet with all our three years’ experience of disability, we in our haste to purchase made almost comical errors. Firstly, the height of the vehicle.

We didn’t even begin to think that it would have made more sense to have picked a higher vehicle. I couldn’t

Like everything in the disability market, there is so much on offer, but so much expense, red tape and a chronic lack of information that would make the DWP look like an open library of easily accessible information. Car buying is stressful enough without having to explain your situation to a salesman with all the fake interest of a local MP. It was at this point that Aimee’s homework on the subject paid off!

We discovered the Motability Scheme.

Now, as we know, The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to get mobile by exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. It makes sense, sounds quite straightforward and appears to deflate the problem simples. We were given a list of dealers to contact and the said specialists soon leapt round our house to give us demonstrations and talk us through the process of applications with calming ease. If only the advance payment wasn’t quite so scary.

Car chosen, finance sorted, car delivered. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and as I said cars to me are what comedy is to ITV. We could now open the back door, lower the ramp and wheel Emily in, apply the clamps and

help but moan about my back when lumbering out of the vehicle like I was auditioning for Planet of the Apes.

Emily was finding this all quite hilarious.

Like all our kids, she is witty and sassy and the sight of her very cool father falling out into the road was definite TV gold. Secondly, the sight of me fussing and cursing about which strap goes where made for a fun day before we even left the drive. Finally, the overall size of our purchase. Be prepared people, don’t believe the gossip, size does matter. A holiday in our mobility vehicle would see us accommodate Emily, her chair, cases, meds, her

mattress, wedges and her shower chair and I quickly discovered the car was not a Tardis. We had to sit Emily in a car seat and multi stack the chairs around her. We were then free explorers! Out as a family securely!

Well, until the back window fell out.

Our first mobility car lasted a year until we traded it in for our Peugeot Master and by this time we (I mean Aimee) had re-done her homework on how we should go about finding a suitable car.

High roof, built in hoist, blacked out windows for when we need on the road toileting, and room (remember that word, tattoo it on your inner eyelids…ROOM).

Problems will still occur as you all know. We often experience the joy of coming back to the car to find yet again someone who didn’t pass a spatial awareness exam has parked right up against the back door of the vehicle. I am sure the sticker says ‘please leave space for my wheelchair’, not ‘please leave enough space for Twiggy to slip through’.

That is the debacle of disabled parking but the joy of disabled parking (particularly in London), is when you can find a space to pull up for free whilst stressed shoppers angst around like consumer zombies.

But the biggest positive of vehicles like this is the fact that as much as society tries it’s damndest to cut off access and transport to this community, we can still explore and leave the house whilst not having to really worry about anything.

Well, maybe except fuel and the window. 

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0800 916 0049

www.alliedmobility.com

ACCESS FOR ALL

With Allied Mobility, having your own wheelchair accessible car doesn’t have to cost the earth.

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> Personalised seating options > Air conditioning > Automatic tail lift or manual ramp > Bluetooth® connectivity > DAB radio

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Free UK-wide home demonstrations call 0800 916 0049 16:15 21/03/2017 15:08

Motoring LARGE CARS

Mazda6  2.0 SE-L NAV 4dr

Volkswagen Passat  2.0 TDi 4dr

Motability Payment: £1,499 Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 67.30

THE CAR Redesigned in 2016 with fresh sheet metal, a revised interior and new connectivity and available driver assistance systems, the Passat sees relatively minor changes for 2017. However, the trim structure has been repositioned, with driver assistance, connectivity, and convenience features being moved into lower trim lines, thus offering a great value story.

THE LOOK The 2017 Passat features the styling upgrades that were introduced for the 2016 model’s facelift. Slimmer headlights, a more substantial fully chromed four-bar grille, and the muscular hood all work together to give the Passat a wide, planted stance from the front. Standard chrome window surrounds and trim on the doors add to the premium nature of the design, as do available LED headlights and LED taillights.

At the rear, the bumper and trunk lid help to shape the 2017 Passat’s look. The car has a premium European-style flush rear license plate area and a chrome strip on the trunk that connects the trunk lid to the taillights, making the rear lights appear lower and enhancing the grounded appearance.

Inside the 2017 Passat, the dashboard and centre console, along with integrated twotone decor panels, are first to catch the eye.

The top of the dashboard is structured with sharp contours and a sculpture line, acting

Brake Horsepower (BHP): 148 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 109 Boot Capacity (litres): 586

to frame the elements underneath. The instrument cluster features two large dial faces and a display screen set between them, while a frameless rear-view mirror (available on the SE with Technology trim and above) provides an understated touch of elegance.

Chrome trim pieces—including the bezels around the air vents, upper door trim, cup holders, and shift lever—help to add to the premium feel of the interior.

COMFORT AND SAFETY With a combination of structural and technological advancements, the 2017 Passat has been engineered to meet or exceed all existing safety standards, and additional structure was added in order to meet the strictures of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s small overlap test.

Additional sheet metal has been added to the sills, crash rail, and footwell, featuring high-strength steel for extra rigidity without adding weight.

Volkswagen’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, first launched on the 2015 Golf, and comes standard on every Passat for 2017. The system builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact—which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic PostCollision Braking System helps address this by applying the brakes after a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping to reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, reduce the chance of additional damage.

THE CAR Mazda’s highly acclaimed Mazda6 Saloon and Tourer models have been upgraded with a host of updates designed to enhance driving enjoyment and improve refinement. Highlights across the full Saloon and Tourer range include technology updates, interior improvements and the introduction of G-Vectoring Control.

Already regarded as one of the best-handling and most engaging cars in its segment, the Mazda6’s dynamic setup has been refined with the introduction of G-Vectoring Control (GVC), the first application of Mazda’s new series of SkyActiv-Vehicle Dynamics technology.

Utilising integrated control of the engine, transmission and chassis to enhance the connection between car and driver, GVC varies engine torque in response to steering wheel action to achieve smoother and more dynamic vehicle handling.

THE LOOK The Mazda6 is available in eight colours including Mazda’s new Machine Grey Metallic, which having starred on the all-new

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Motoring Motability Payment: £599 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 51.40 Brake Horsepower (BHP): 143 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 129 Boot Capacity (litres): 489

LARGE CARS

BMW 3 Series  1.5 318i SE 4dr Motability Payment: £1,399 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 52.30

THE CAR BMW’s best-selling model, the 318i SE, is the beneficiary of a new two litre, four cylinder, 16 valve engine featuring BMW’s revolutionary Valvetronic technology. This is the second engine in the new generation of BMW fours with Valvetronic and is built at BMW’s newest engine plant at Hams Hall, Warwickshire which opened in February 2001. Valvetronic, which has already received an ‘Engine of the Year’ award from Engine Technology International, removes the need for a throttle butterfly and controls valve lift infinitely to control the fuel air mixture supply. The principle is similar to a human breathing - we breathe deeply when exerting ourselves and in a more shallow pattern when taking things more gently. It is the same with Valvetronic.

Brake Horsepower (BHP): 134 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 124

and purpose to the face of the 3 Series Saloon and Touring. A new front air dam for both ranges, and a new rear valance and revised rear light cluster for the Saloon, complete the exterior changes.

COMFORT AND SAFETY A ‘sport’ button behind the gear lever activates faster, more sporting gear changes and offers a ‘launch control’ programme to enable perfect 0-60 mph times. The whole system is failsafe (ie the driver cannot change down from fifth to first gear at 70 mph) and it delivers satisfying throttle ‘blip’ downchanges to remind the driver how it should be done.

THE LOOK Mazda MX-5 RF at the 2016 New York Motor Show, goes into production on the Mazda6.

Inside, the revised Mazda6 features a new leather steering wheel that on Sport Nav models is heated. Other premium upgrades to range-topping Sport Nav models include an enhanced head up display that features full colour and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) for the first time, plus electric memory seats that now also adjust the head-up display. While from SE-L Nav models upwards auto power-folding mirrors are standard, and Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) low-speed collision mitigation braking now features pedestrian recognition.

New curved headlights, incorporating the indicators behind clear glass, and round fog lamps are all distinctive new features. A wider kidney grille leads into a newly styled bonnet ‘powerdome’ which runs right up to the A-pillars and the new swage line on the front wings, with a teardrop shaped repeater indicator, adds a greater sense of muscularity

COMFORT AND SAFETY This increase in engine refinement is complimented by a comprehensive improvement in sound insulation, including the adoption of upgraded door seals, tighter tolerances between panels and sound deadening materials added to the underbody, rear console, headliner and doors, while laminated front side windows further suppress wind noise.

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• Special needs pushchairs and car seats • Harnessing

Phone: 01903 726161 Website: www.tendercareltd.com The New Vauxhall

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Motoring

WHAT TO DO NOW

What do I do now?

If you have suddenly found yourself requiring the services of a mobility vehicle, chances are you aren’t sure where to start. Here, John Killick of the Disabled Motorists Federation and Peter Lyne of Mobility and Support Information Service (MASIS) share their knowledge and advice on the matter.

If you have had a stroke, been seriously injured, suffered a heart attack or maybe been affected by any other medical condition which is restricting your mobility and you can no longer walk without the use of aids, but are still determined to enjoy and experience as active and as inclusive a lifestyle as possible, what now?

I

Firstly, congratulations on maintaining a positive attitude!

However where do you go for the most appropriate advice to assist you with your daily requirements?

Possibly you will search for relevant and helpful information displayed on the internet. Numerous registered charities will display beneficial information and

advice on their websites. Consequently, always be sure to contact the charities which relate to your specific disability or long-term health condition.

Having obtained the correct advice, you then need to consider how you are going to be certain that you will be able to gain safe and inclusive access to your community and experience as enjoyable a lifestyle as possible to allow you to maintain your self-esteem and wellbeing.

Usually these requirements will directly relate to your personal transport, i.e. your motorcar, or the one which is driven on your behalf by your carer or relative. This is where either the Disabled Motorists Federation (DMF) or MASIS can assist. 

“Having obtained the correct advice, you then need to consider how you are going to be certain that you will be able to gain safe and inclusive access to your community...”

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Motoring

WHAT TO DO NOW

So, what motor vehicle options are there available for you?

Due to your deteriorating mobility, you may have become totally or partially dependent on a wheelchair and perhaps now require the use of an expensive wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV).

The nature and severity of a disability will indicate to the disabled passenger or driver which is the most appropriate vehicle to cater for their motoring needs. Another indicator is the type of mobility aid being used. If this is a manual wheelchair then these can fold up and be transported in a suitable saloon or estate vehicle, or possibly car top box. However, if using a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter, then it is almost certain that a WAV will be required. Always be certain to ensure that whatever form of mobility aid which is being carried in the vehicle is covered by your motor insurance policy.

The advancements in assistive technology now mean that there are many suitable devices available to disabled drivers or passengers to make their motoring experiences a lot easier and more pleasurable. Devices such as swivel seats and numerous versions of hand and foot controls can be installed.

You can purchase hand controls online and have your local garage fit them, but you will also require instruction; please also be aware that cheaper manual or mechanical hand controls require wrist strength to be usable. All these things mean that you can allow your motorcar to be easily adapted to address your specific requirements.

Both the DMF and MASIS have formed many networking relationships over the last 12 years with certain government departments (especially those within the healthcare and education sectors) and also with several regional and national charities, all of whom can provide specialist advice to disabled people, carers and their families to allow them to lead as equal and inclusive lifestyles as possible.

Independence is a massively important issue considering the significant percentage of the UK’s population who are directly or indirectly affected by disability.

MASIS and the DMF also have access

“Having obtained the correct advice, you then need to consider how you are going to be certain that you will be able to gain safe and inclusive access to your community...” to very reputable companies who can sell the correct and most appropriate vehicles (and where necessary, relevant adaptations) to suit the majority of needs of disabled motorists.

Due to the severity of the medical conditions experienced by some disabled people, WAVs represent the only suitable solution. However, there are several different basic types.

Some allow access from the rear of the vehicle, others via side entry.

Certain adaptations will allow for safe anchorage of the wheelchair in the front or rear of the vehicle and others will enable the driver to control the vehicle while seated in a wheelchair.

However, the type of adaptation will significantly have a direct effect on the price of the motorcar.

Whatever adaptation you require to

address your specific needs, always be certain to seek the correct advice from highly qualified and experienced personnel (usually Motability sales consultants) at the relevant franchised dealership from which you are purchasing or leasing your vehicle.

Always be sure that once your vehicle has been modified (even in a very insignificant manner) that you inform your motor insurance provider. It can be a lot cheaper to ensure through a disability specialist insurer such as Adrian Flux or Fish.

For further enquiries please use the contact form displayed on the home page of Mobility and Support Information Service’s website www.masis.org.uk, where you can also find links to the DMF’s website. 

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Motoring

BMW REVIEW

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is here to prove that family cars don’t need to be boring.

Read on to learn about the best features of this premium MPV.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE Let’s start with the best bit – that effortless BMW driving experience. For a spacious and practical family car, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a joy to drive. Smooth and stable on the road, it changes through the gears with ease. With both manual and automatic engines available there is something to suit everyone’s driving needs.

It’s also possible to tailor each journey to what you want to get out of it with a choice of three driving modes: comfort, sport and ECO PRO.

We’re fans of ECO PRO, which adjusts acceleration, transmission, heating and air conditioning levels, keeping them at their most efficient and saving you fuel.

Speaking of efficiency, running costs for this car are kept low, with the 1.5 litre three-cylinder petrol engine achieving 55.4mpg (combined) and the 2.0 litre four-cylinder diesel engine averaging 74.3mpg (combined).

PRACTICALITY Once you’re seated inside, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is even bigger than it looks. A high driving position, plus

A high driving position, plus lots of head and leg room in the front and back mean the whole family can travel in comfort

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Motoring

A practical family car that’s fun to drive

BMW REVIEW

Tech Spec BMW 216d LUXURY ACTIVE TOURER (MANUAL) Engine: 1.5 litre three-cylinder diesel 0-62 mph: 10.6 seconds Economy: 74.3mpg (combined) C02 emissions: 103g/km Motability Advance Payment: £1,599 Contact your BMW Centre for more information and latest rates.

lots of head and leg room in the front and back mean the whole family can travel in comfort. On top of this, a fully adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel allow you to tailor your position to suit you.

The cabin also comes with lots of handy storage spaces, including a large box in the centre armrest which is great for storing coins, snacks, CDs and all those little bits and pieces that accumulate on family trips. For larger luggage, the spacious boot has all the room you need – especially when you take into account the foldable floor, and the 40:20:40 split rear seats that can be lowered down to create a flat storage surface. Alternatively, for those who may struggle reaching all the way into the boot, a useful shelf provides an easily accessible area for key items.

Whatever you’re taking with you, you’ll be able to get to it with ease thanks to the Smart Opener, which enables contactless opening of the boot lid.

And, when you’ve finished loading or unloading, the boot can be closed by the touch of a button – helpful if you’re

unable to pull down the full weight of the lid.

SAFETY We rate the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer because it can be kitted out with several features designed to keep families safe on the roads. For instance, the optional Driving Assistant uses cameras to reduce the risk of potential collisions. Included in this package is Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Jam Assist, which allow you to relax while keeping you a safe distance from other cars – particularly useful on the morning commute. If the vehicle ahead does brake suddenly, Forward Collision Warning will alert you and help you stop in time. And, if the worst happens and you are involved in an accident, you can rely on BMW Emergency Call to get in touch with emergency services if you cannot.

ENTERTAINMENT We all know that when it comes to thinking about your next family car, in-car entertainment is an important

consideration. The iDrive infotainment system lets you control the DAB radio, phonebook and navigation system. All functions are displayed via an engaging 6.5” screen, which is mounted on the centre of the dashboard. BMW Connected services allows you to connect your phone to the infotainment system via Bluetooth making it easy to take calls whilst on the move.

ADD SOMETHING EXTRA Depending on your personal needs, you might even choose to enhance the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with a Driver Comfort, Technology or BMW Navigation Plus package. To minimise distractions, you could opt for the Head-up Display, which projects important speed, navigation and entertainment information onto a transparent screen directly in your line of sight. Finally, heated seats can make winter driving a far more enjoyable experience.

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THE ORIGINAL FORD CUSTOM CONVERTER

Now available in Automatic Transmission

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The Ford Custom Family Can seat up to 7 +

The Ford Custom Freeway Can seat up to 7 + or 9

The Ford Connect Flexi Can seat up to 5 +

The Ford Connect Freedom Can seat 4 +

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e. info@mobility-services.com Find us on Facebook. w. www.mobility-services.com 21/03/2017 09:47

Motoring

DRIVING TEST

TOP TIP

Test time or many, the pressures can make it seem all the more daunting if you are in a hurry to pass, whether that be that you need a license to meet a requirement or just need that sense of freedom. But the experience for disabled learner drivers can be all the more worrying. Contending with the natural nerves on top of worrying about how your disability may see your nerves taking over and result in a fail.

F

And while you must still drive to the same standard as other test takers, there are a number of adaptations for people with varying disabilities that can be made to make your test more suitable. And by knowing what you are entitled to ahead of your test, you may find your mind is put at ease slightly, so Motoring with PosAbility have put together this handy list to keep you in the know and hopefully take one stressful element away.

For some disabilities, you may be allocated more time in your test to talk to your examiner about your disability or any adaptations made to the car. There are some more specific alterations though dependent on your disability.

Know what you are entitled to ahead of your test. You may find your mind is put at ease slightly with that knowledge

Sitting your driving test can be an intimidating and stressful time regardless of whether it’s your first or your fifth attempt.

If you are deaf or have a hearing impairment there are a couple of options available. If easiest, the examiner can write down what will happen during the test for you to read at the beginning or if you are a lip reader, they will look at you directly

You will be offered the chance to follow traffic signs instead of verbal directions and you may also be allowed to choose to follow a set of directions using a diagram

while speaking to you.

Directions will usually be given in the way of hand signals, which will be explained to you before you set off.

Alternatively, a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter aged 16 or older may accompany you or your instructor may act as your interpreter. While you must arrange your interpreter and pay any fees ahead of your test, you can reclaim this after your test. Visit the DVLA website for more information.

For those with difficulties with reading, you may write down the number plate rather than read it out while undertaking the eyesight check.

Adjustments may be made for the independent driving section of the test if you have a learning disability.

You will be offered the chance to follow traffic signs instead of verbal directions and you may also be allowed to choose to follow a set of directions using a diagram, following up to three directions at a time, but this may be reduced to two by the examiner.

For more information discuss your options and rights with your instructor or contact your local test centre to see what can be arranged.

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Motoring SUVs

Hyundai Tuscon  1.7 CRDi Blue Drive S5dr

Kia Sportage  1.7 CRDi 1 5dr Motability Payments: £99 Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 61.4

Brake Horsepower: 114 CO2 Emmisons (g/km): 119 Car Boot Capacity: 491

THE CAR

THE CAR

This SUV enjoys a stunning bold and athletic body shape on the exterior which is complemented by the refined, elegant interior.

The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV which combines sporty style with incredible safety technology to offer a well-rounded SUV.

With comfort high on its priority list the generous cabin space allows drivers or passengers to enjoy the smooth ride and appreciate the carefully chosen ergonomics of the Tuscon.

The car is described as “featuring high quality materials and design integrity, as well as greater practicality and a range of technologies to improve comfort, convenience, connectivity and safety.”

THE LOOK The Sportage is designed with both strength and sport in mind, with the bold look offering tension and contrast between the sharp feature lines and smooth surfacing.

The interior also boasts a classy finish, blending metalwork with soft-touch materials to provide a high-end style.

The use of cloth, leather and stitching is pleasing to both look at and touch and majors in refinement and sophistication.

The cleverly designed car highlights space and sportiness.

Interiors are available in either one-tone (black), or two-tone (dark and light grey or black and canyon beige). The console is black regardless of choice for a glossy finish and the D-shaped leather steering wheel is high quality piano black fascia and the pedals are finished with aluminium alloy.

COMFORT AND SAFETY This model of Sportage has seen designers increase dimensions on both the interior and exterior to offer more space and comfort.

It offers great head and leg space, heated seating and comfortable back support for comfortable driving. The shaping of the front and rear gives improved visibility.

Scoring a maximum of five-stars in the Euro NCAP crash performance tests, it has been designed to meet the toughest and most demanding safety tests and is significantly structurally stronger.

Performing strongly in the Euro NCAP’s Safety Assist category it features a number of safety technology features.

The use of ISOFIX child-seat tether and anchor points are fitted to ensure safety of younger and smaller passengers.

With comprehensive active and passive safety technologies, the Tuscon takes good care of both your ride comfort and the driving dynamics.

THE LOOK Hyundai describes the design concept as ‘incorporating a sleek, urban style combined with the strong ruggedness typical of an SUV’. The strong athletic shape is defined by its ‘refined flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines and the hexagonal grille’.

It maintains it sleek appearance too though through the moving back of the A-pillar, while the combination lamps are stretched to compliment this with a bolder look.

The interior is also pleasing to see, with impressive cabin space and attention to fine details with soft-touch and highquality materials being made use of. The car is available in ten exterior colours,

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Motoring Motability Payments: £99 Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 61.7 Brake Horsepower: 114 CO2 Emmisons (g/km): 119 Car Boot Capacity: 513

Nissan X-Trail  2.0dCi Acenta 5dr Motability Payments: £2,099

Brake Horsepower: /

Fuel Type: Diesel

CO2 Emmisons (g/km): 148 Car Boot Capacity: 550

Average MPG: 50.4

with one solid colour (Polar White), three metallic (Platinum Silver, Ara Blue, White Sand) and six pearl colours (Ash Blue, Moon Rock, Ultimate Red, Thunder Grey, Ruby Wine, Phantom Black) and there is three interior design colours Oceanids Black, Chai Beige and Red Wine.

The black version comes in cloth or high quality leather upholstery, while the beige is two-tone, and the red comes in exclusive leather.

COMFORT AND SAFETY Passengers can ride in comfort with heated seats and reclining backrests with air vents, while the driver can enjoy long seat cushions with eight-way power adjustment and two-way powered lumbar support.

SUVs

THE CAR

COMFORT AND SAFETY

The Nissan X-Trail Acenta is a fantastic solution for those looking for a roomy SUV that promises excellent fuel economy. This SUV offers a wide range of accessories and elements to ensure adventurous drivers and passengers can enjoy the great outdoors in both style and comfort. The smart and function car is interactive and functional, with Power Tailgate and Rear 77° Wide Opening Doors opening at a tap of a button and an innovative luggage board system giving easy loading to allow you to pack up the car and set off.

The comfort of the X-Trail is second to none with a number of features ensuring a comfortable ride for both driver and passengers alike across tough terrains.

THE LOOK The X-Trail Acenta has hints of other Nissan SUVs including the smaller model the Quashqai, but Nissan have moved up a gear. With chrome window surround and an electric panoramic sunroof, the car is designed with adventure in mind through wind, rain, mud or sun if you’re lucky enough.

The exterior also boasts a black honeycomb front grille, chrome door handles and body colour bumpers to offer a more refined and sophisticated look than other SUVs on the market.

Inside the car, the leather steering wheel and gear stick complement the cloth upholstery nicely while the front and rear armrests add another level of sophistication and comfort.

There is an option to upgrade to a seven seater, while the comfortable seats are “zero-gravity” inspired offering spinal support, and the driver’s seat supporting you from the pelvis to your chest through the seat responding to pressure points. And with quick heated front seats and heated and cooled cup holders, convenience and comfort is upped. Leg room can be easily adjusted and head room is generous. Safety is also paramount for Nissan with the X-Trail, providing remote central door locking with superlocking, an engine immobiliser and Thatcham alarm system.

It features numerous different safety systems including Moving Object Detection, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Driver Attention Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, High-Beam Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Brake Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Emergency Braking that make use of the Around View Monitor that uses four cameras which give a 360° view. If a collision is unavoidable, Nissan’s Zone Body Construction absorbs impact while the six airbags and advanced seat belt technologies protect the passengers.

The safety of the car is not compromised either, with the car being comprehensively equipped with top tier safety features.

Safety features include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Blind Spot Detector (BSD), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Active Hood System (AHS) and the ultrahigh strength steel bodyshell structure heightens the structural safety.

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S B SERIES

Vapor Ricon puts you in the best position.

6-way

Photo courtesy of Lewis Reed (WAV) Ltd

Right Rotation

Left Rotation

Forward

Backward

Introducing the 6-way Power Transfer Seat Base™ Fits your existing front vehicle seat.

Enables easy and quick transfer from wheelchair to driver or passenger seat.

Down

Up

Automatically swivels 90º and moves in 6 ways at the touch of a button.

Call us now on 01509 635 920

Email: sales@vaporricon.com or visit www.vaporricon.co.uk

Proud sponsors of the

Vapor Ricon Europe Ltd. Falcon Works, Meadow Lane, Loughborough, LE11 1HS

Independence at the touch of a button

Travel made easier N

Image courtesy of Lewis Reed

INNOVATIONS IN ACCESSIBILITY

ew seat system makes travel easy for driver and passengers.

Leading vehical access manufacturer, Vapor Ricon, has made travel even easier for wheelchair users with the launch of its new seat system.

The six way Power Transfer Seat will make the transfer from wheelchair to either driver or passenger seat convenient and easy, saving valuable time and ensuring safety at all times and enhancing independence for its users.

Easy to install, the seat base can be fitted in new vehicles or as a retro-fit product and, with its easy to operate fingertip controls, the seat can be pivoted in six different directions giving users a tailor made approach to alighting and

disembarking vehicles. It also gives users the ability to keep their current vehicle with only a straightforward adaptation necessary.

The Power Transfer Seat comes with added benefit of a 1 year warranty and has a 228mm height adjustment as well as impressive weight capacities and forward and reverse travel dimensions so that drivers and passengers can travel in comfort.

Vapor Ricon is proud to offer a wide range of domestic and commercial products to aid vehicular access for those with limited mobility.

Further information can be found at www.vaporricon.co.uk

Freedom to travel when and where you like

Scooter lifting made easy from the UK’s best-selling hoist specialist – strong and stylish yet light and simple to use LIFTS EVERYTHING FROM SCOOTERS TO POWERCHAIRS FITS OVER 300 MODELS OF VEHICLE LIFTS UP TO 200 KG / 31 STONE REMOVE IN JUST 10 SECONDS FOR FULL USE OF YOUR BOOT HOIST SPECIALIST FOR OVER 30 YEARS NATIONWIDE HOME INSTALLATION SERVICE

Call today for a FREE brochure and no obligation home demo

LINES OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

0800 009 2587 www.autochair.co.uk

Lift and load in 60 seconds

Adverts_motoring17.indd 34

Simple four button operation

21/03/2017 09:46

Motoring

REVIEW

Nissan Qashqai The British-built Nissan Qashqai is celebrating its 10th anniversary since it defined the crossover segment back in 2007.

ver the past 10 years, Nissan have built over two million Qashqai’s to keep up with the ever increasing demand for this multi-award winning crossover.

The Qashqai is the UK’s best-selling Motability vehicle and we can see why. It’s packed full of state-of-the-art technology such as Forward Emergency Braking which helps to minimise the risk of accidents. The Around View Monitor is another fantastic feature, with four cameras located around the vehicle providing the driver with a bird’s-eye view of the car, making parking in tight spaces easy.

However if you don’t want to do the parking for yourself, let the car do it for you. Intelligent Park Assist comes as

O

standard on the range-topping Tekna grades, with the Qashqai controlling the steering inputs during bay and parallel parking while you control the accelerator and brakes.

Qashqai’s raised driving position also improves ease of access into the car without needing to lift or lower yourself

roof and heated seats (standard on N-Vision grade) and seat lumbar support give you an additional level of premium comfort.

With an efficient range of engine and gearbox combinations, there is plenty of choice to find the right Qashqai for your needs. If you’re looking for the perfect balance of power and economy, then the dCi 110 diesel engine offers up to 74mpg* on the combined cycle.

For more information on the Nissan Qashqai please visit nissan.co.uk/ motability or contact your local Nissan dealer.

With an efficient range of engine and gearbox combinations, there is plenty of choice to find the right Qashqai for your needs. into the seat. Once inside, you will notice the ergonomic driving position and sculpted front seats designed with NASA technology to improve blood flow and decrease fatigue.

While the optional panoramic glass

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Motoring

ESTATES

Honda Civic Tourer  1.8 Estate 5dr

Dacia Logan MCV  1.2 Ambiance Estate 5dr Motability Payment: £0 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 48.70

THE CAR The Dacia Logan MCV Ambience Estate is one of the company’s flagship estate cars that offers both copious amounts of space and a Renault engine. Described as “tiny in price”, the car does compromise on some fronts according to What Car?, but is a steal at the low price. Cheap to run and available in seven different engines, a choice of transmissions and new and affordable equipment options, the car provides an affordable and rounded option for those looking for an easy to run estate car. Updates have been made to the previous model, with new driver aids added to aid in driving and practicality, including a reverse camera (model dependent) and a hill start assist simplify manoeuvring system. New electric window switches added to the front and rear door pedals, redesigned front light units and front LED daytime running lights with four vertically stacked rectangular blocks also brings a more updated feel. And the low boot opening makes loading the huge boot easy.

THE LOOK The Logan MVC Ambiance has went all in on the look, offering a new “more modern and seductive aesthetic”. With a more “muscular” body and “elegant” interior, the new model boasts a higher end design

Brake Horsepower (BHP): 72 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 130 Boot Capacity (litres): 573

than other estate cars. The redesigned front bumper and chrome-plated air intake grille offers more modernity and adds to the robustness of the frame along with the back bumpers.

The interior is also redesigned to add to the refined and modern look. The satin chrome-coloured elements highlight the aerators of the air conditioning system and the contouring of the central face of the dashboard enhance the sophisticated appearance. In higher end models, the steering wheel incorporates an exclusive soft-feel finish that is both durable and pleasant to touch.

COMFORT AND SAFETY The spacious cabin provides excellent head room and offers a comfortable journey for the driver and passengers.

Dependent on model, a retractable armrest is incorporated into the driver’s seat.

The driver also can utilise the one-touch window switch and can make use of the numerous storage spaces and 12-volt power socket which also allows passengers in the rear to charge mobile devices. In terms of the drive, What Car? has it’s reservations, describing it as “while it never feels unstable, there’s lots of body roll”, however, it also states it is a comfortable drive in towns and on faster roads and is a great bargain estate.

THE CAR The Honda Civic Tourer is an estate that packs a punch with bounds of space for those looking for a spacious drive and boot, and is reliable, safe and long lasting.

With emphasis placed on making the boot as useful as possible, the rear sill is lowered to ensure easy access and loading and opens widely. With bags of under-floor space, safety technology features and a sporty look, the Honda Civic Tourer merges style and safety with practicality.

THE LOOK This estate takes inspiration from sports cars for attaining a more sporty and classy design for an estate.

The hood of the car displays a new and more distinctive look than previous models and the interior also has had an upgrade.

New seat fabrics and stitching on headrests coupled with the chrome door handles keep in touch with the sleek look, while the metallic black control panel and two level digital dash again adds to the simplistic and classy design.

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Motoring

ESTATES

Motability Payment: £0 Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 43.5 Brake Horsepower (BHP): 140 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 153 Boot Capacity (litres): 624

Skoda Superb Estate  1.4 SE Plus 5DR Motability Payment: £1195 Fuel Type: Diesel Average MPG: 67

The body design doesn’t only lend itself to the overall look, but also improves the drive. The revision to the front bumper, hood and rear spoiler improve steering response and stability, particularly at high speeds.

COMFORT AND SAFETY Awarded a five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s crash-test, the new suspension and active safety technologies that will make the car significantly more enjoyable to drive. The proven gearbox and engine is borrowed from other Honda models, and the car offers a variety of safety features, including active city braking, braking assistance, hill start assistance, electronic brake-force distribution and a tyre-deflation warning system amongst others. Notable improvements to the agile handling assist and vehicle stability assist systems help ensure a safer and smoother drive, while it has also been designed to help, avoid or mitigate low speed accidents by using radar technologies to scan the road and automatically apply the brakes if a risk of imminent collision is detected.

Brake Horsepower (BHP): 118 CO2 Emissions (g/km): 109 Boot Capacity (litres): 660-1950

THE CAR The Skoda Superb is the manufacturer’s flagship model, offering incredible value for money, handling, kit, space and an excellent driving experience to make it the 2016 Estate Car of the Year at the New Car Awards. Affordable to run and efficient, the Superb should definitely be on your radar if you are in the market for an estate. With a huge boot, the Superb can easily transport wheelchairs and other mobility aids as well as any equipment needed to be taken on holiday, making it one of the most impressive cars for boot space (seats up or down) on top of a number of clever hidden storage spaces. It is available in 2x2 and 4x4 models.

THE LOOK The classic finish of the car is enough to rival any more expensive cars, with its well-proportioned design. It’s smooth linage and clean-cut cabin with comfortable seating and surroundings add to the elegance of this classic design along with the. The clever car is deceptively large inside without looking bulky on the outside, while the chrome grille and rectangular lights add to the sharp and modern design.

Inside the car is an eight-inch touchscreen

that fits nicely amongst the large and sturdy controls, while the elongated dash board sits highly to offer ease of view and again create the illusion of space.

COMFORT AND SAFETY Due to the well-proportioned design, the Superb estate offers second to none head, shoulder and leg room for both driver and passengers. With the Superb’s engine and safety systems being based on previous models, lessons have been learnt and shortfalls have been corrected to t the Superb is of a high safety standard. In the 2015 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, it ranked an impressive 12th with over 94.5%. But to put your mind at ease, it also offers electronic safety systems, including blind spot detection and lane assist to make it the most technologically advanced and safest Skoda yet.

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Motoring PAS 2012

Helen Dolphin Disability campaigner Helen Dolphin MBE founded People’s Parking – an accreditation scheme for car parks which is primarily aimed at improving car parks for customers by enabling them to find a car park that fits their needs. She believes that Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2012 testing is a subject WAV customers should know about, but few have an understanding of what it is.

What is PAS 2012?

Here, Helen explains what PAS accreditation means.

UNDERSTANDING PAS 2012 Many disabled people benefit from the independence and freedom that a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) provides. Although it is often a difficult decision to go from a standard vehicle to a WAV, most people say they would never go back. Once the decision has been made, the next step is to find the WAV that is most suitable, and with so many makes and models available it can be difficult to know where to start.

To help, many vehicle convertors and organisations have written WAV buying guides, the majority of which are available online. Having read a number of these, they are indeed very useful, giving lots of good advice and information, but to my surprise none of them mentions PAS 2012, which is something I believe is essential information when choosing a WAV.

WHAT IS PAS 2012?

When the first WAVs came into

production, most conversions were rudimentary, addressing only access and basic securing of the wheelchair. However, the WAV industry has grown enormously and with an ageing population the number of disabled people requiring both wheelchair accessible taxis and personal private vehicles is only going to increase. It is therefore important that there are standards which customers can trust when purchasing a WAV and therefore PAS 2012 was introduced.

PAS 2012 stands for Publicly Available Specification and was developed by the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Convertors Association (WAVCA) according to guidelines set out by the British Standards Institute (BAS). Accreditation to PAS 2012 concentrates on the elements of vehicle design and manufacture that a WAV owner will be particularly interested in.

These include structural integrity, the fitting of lifts, ramps and winches, testing and fitting of wheelchair securing systems and ground clearance. It also addresses the amount of space a wheelchair user needs for access and comfort inside the vehicle and service guidelines for Is this

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Motoring PAS 2012

“Accreditation to PAS 2012 concentrates on the elements of vehicle design and manufacture that a WAV owner will be particularly interested in.” information readily available?

When choosing a WAV it is important to make sure the vehicle will suit you and all your requirements, including checking that your wheelchair can be carried safely.

All WAV convertors will be able to tell you what wheelchair weight the vehicle has been tested to, although there is no handy guide to tell you. Motability Operations Ltd say they currently do not publish whether a vehicle complies with this additional testing however this is something being considered for future development. In the meantime, they recommend customers talk to their

WAV convertors to discuss wheelchair compatibility with their individual needs.

Allied Mobility is the leading manufacturer of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles for the UK and Ireland. They have tested to 200kg on models such as the Peugeot Horizon, Ford Freedom and Ford Independence. A spokesman said: “Ultimately, the safety of passengers is of paramount importance and we warmly welcome anything that helps to ensure this. The PAS 2012 benchmark should also assist customers who are potentially not aware of what vehicles or restraints are most suitable for their particular

wheelchair which has to be of benefit for anyone choosing a new WAV.”

IS PAS 2012 APPLICABLE TO DRIVE-FROM-WHEELCHAIR WAVS? PAS 2012 is not applicable to drive-fromwheelchair WAVs, because such WAVs are always bespoke, taking into account an individual’s ability to access the WAV and drive it. Wheelchair tie-down arrangements and driving controls for these WAVs would be difficult to standardise, however, some of the requirements of PAS 2012 can be usefully applied to drive-from-wheelchair WAVs in so far as their basic level of accessibility is concerned.

PAS 2012 is something that not many disabled people will currently be aware of, but it is definitely something to check when you are considering a WAV. Although many vehicles do now hold the accreditation, it is still a question worth asking to ensure you are travelling in the safest possible vehicle.

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The leading car scheme for disabled people Motability means freedom to come and go, to shop, to work, to get the kids to school.

It means staying in touch, making a difference and getting more out of life. That’s why Motability is your perfect motoring partner.

For thousands of disabled people and their families it’s the key to trouble free motoring.

Through Motability you simply turn your mobility allowance into the car of your choice. The most popular option is the Contract Hire scheme. You get a reliable new car every 3 years from leading manufacturers such as Kia & Suzuki.

Your regular single payment includes insurance, maintenance and breakdown cover leaving you with no unexpected bills.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles available on a 5-year agreement

Buy a new or used car on hire purchase over 2 to 5 years

NMG are the 2nd longest serving Suzuki dealer in the UK!

Every vehicle is inspected, MOT’d & HPI checked!

NMG Kia since 1999, holding Platinum Dealer Status!

No one understands Suzuki better than NMG!

We reject vehicles that are not up to scratch!

2016 Kia Excellence Award Winners!

info@nmg-uk.com I www.nmguk.com NMG Suzuki 111 Mile Cross Lane, Norwich NR6 6RQ Tel: 01603 418 700

NMG WAV Centre 1 Wroxham Road, Norwich NR7 8TN Tel: 01603 401 044

NMG Kia 79 Mile Cross Lane, Norwich NR6 6TX Tel: 01603 775 100

Nobody tries harder than NMG... Nobody!

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Motoring

C-MAX REVIEW

Ford C-Max Arnold Clark Motability Specialist Darby Gallagher tells us all about a fantastic MPV with a twist; the Ford C-Max and its bigger sibling, the Grand C-Max. f you’re looking for bootloads of practicality in a family car that feels as nimble to drive as a hatchback, you may want to consider the Ford C-Max. This five-door MPV is tremendously frugal and available on the Motability Scheme for nil advance payment – so it’s a budget friendly option.

I

“When it first launched in 2003, the Ford C-Max was part of Ford’s Focus range. Although now a model in its own right, it still shares a lot of its exciting driving dynamics with the hatchback. There’s plenty of oomph under the bonnet in an engine range that includes a peppy 1.6 litre petrol, and the electrically-assisted steering keeps you in control at the lightest touch. What’s more, suspension is excellent – smoothing over any bumps in the road you might encounter and giving a jolt-free ride.

“With its raised doors, it’s easy to get into without any clambering, and there’s a very spacious boot with plenty of space to slide in a wheelchair or pushchair. Its stellar combination of narrow pillars and large windscreen results in excellent visibility, all aided by that high ride height.

“There are three straightforward trim levels available; the Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X. Whichever you choose, you can do so in the knowledge that even as standard, you’ll be getting a generous amount of spec. Base trim models include heated mirrors and Ford’s signature quick-clear windscreen – perfect for chilly mornings. There’s also an intuitive touchscreen infotainment system to keep you connected, and DAB digital radio with the latest Ford Bluetooth SYNC technology. Voice-activated navigation is available even on base models, so you won’t have to mess around with maps or apps before setting off.

“And if you have more than five people to transport, the Grand C-Max is always worth considering. This larger MPV has the interior flexibility to transport up to seven. Its unusual design does away with the central pillar between the front and rear seat rows, making access so much simpler.

“It’s a fantastic choice if you find heavy doors a struggle, you often transport people or small children who need easy access to the rear seating, or if you find yourself frequently parking in smaller spaces. It’s reassuring to know there’s less chance of doing damage to the

...there’s a very spacious boot with plenty of space to slide in a wheelchair or pushchair. rear doors when they simply glide out of your way. Again, because it’s a taller car, there’s plenty of legroom, and the high seating position makes getting out a doddle.

Both vehicles can be adapted with a push-pull accelerator if necessary, and all Arnold Clark Ford cars are available with rear parking sensors fitted at no extra cost on the Motability Scheme – so you won’t have to twist around or crane your neck to shimmy into an awkward parking spot in either car.’

Find out more about the Ford C-Max, the Grand C-Max and the rest of the Motability range at ArnoldClark.com/Motability.

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Motoring WAVS

Prices from

£1495 on the Motability Scheme

Sirus Kia Soul ontemporary, practical and full of character, the Sirus Kia Soul is unrivalled in the compact wheelchair accessible vehicle marketplace.

C

The Kia Soul rear passenger WAV is exclusive to Sirus Automotive and is available in 4 distinct models from grades ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ to the rangetopping ‘Sport’. The Kia Soul is modern, inexpensive and full of features such as Hill-Start Assist Control, electric windows and mirrors, air conditioning, DAB radio and a leather trimmed steering wheel with mounted controls.

The Urban Styling Pack, which includes bright silver trims on the fog lamps and a side sill, comes as standard with grades 1, 2 and 3 giving the same sporty crossover look to all trim levels.

The Sport model has a completely unique design offering Xenon headlights, black leather seats, and a twin exhaust system. And with an incredible 1.6T-GD 201BHP engine it’s the fastest, most powerful wheelchair accessible vehicle available in the country with 0-60 being dispatched in under 7 seconds.

Available in four different models with seven derivatives and a total of eight different colour combinations the

Sirus Kia Soul offers a huge amount of options to suit your individual needs and tastes.

Conversion features of the vehicle include a lowered floor with unique Grip Surfacing technology, an optional scalloped headlining for maximum headroom, an inclusive wheelchair position travelling alongside the rear seat, and a four-point wheelchair restraint system.

The Sirus Kia Soul exudes style while retaining second-to-none reliability and with a seating capacity of four including the driver, front passenger, rear passenger and wheelchair user, it is perfect for families who don’t want to settle for a commercial-based conversion.

At Sirus Automotive innovation is at the forefront of their business and so using a highly claimed family car as a base and their years of engineering know how they have created their vision of a modern wheelchair accessible passenger vehicle.

Starting from just £1,495 on the Motability scheme The Kia Soul by Sirus is a new standard in wheelchair accessible passenger vehicles.

For more information you can contact Sirus Automotive on 0121 505 7777 or visit sirusautomotive.co.uk

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Motoring

WAVS

Allied Vehicles heelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) can make a huge difference to your lifestyle. Thousands of disabled people have benefited from the chance to have their own wheelchair vehicle, offering new freedom and independence to individuals and their families.

W

Leading the Way Allied Mobility is the leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles for the UK and Ireland, supplying direct to more than 3,000 customers every year. Disabled people, of course, each have different needs, which is why they have developed a wide range of mobility adaptations and wheelchair accessible vehicles for sale and hire. Working closely with leading manufacturers including Peugeot, Ford and Volkswagen their engineering design team aims to create new and innovative ways to make their transport solutions as accessible and user-friendly as possible. With large production volumes they are also able to deliver top-quality cars for sale at highly competitive prices.

Home Demonstrations It’s so important to make sure that wheelchair accessible vehicle conversions contain the right options to suit your needs. That’s

why Allied Mobility has a network of Mobility Consultants offering home demonstrations of their full range.

Call today to arrange your free, noobligation home demonstration at a time convenient to you.

Wherever you live, they’ll talk to you to discuss your needs then bring the models that interest you most to your home, so that you can be sure you’ve made the right choice before you buy.

Safety and Quality Each of their vehicles have been designed with accessibility in mind.

From lowered floors and user-friendly wheelchair restraints to innovative, lightweight access ramps, buying from Allied Mobility means you can enjoy the reassurance of dealing with the UK’s leading specialist in wheelchair accessible vehicle conversions.

In addition, their full range of vehicles are designed, tested and manufactured to meet stringent quality and safety standards. These include: • EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval: The highest international automotive safety standard.

• PAS 2012: the UK benchmark of design and construction of wheelchair accessible vehicles.

• Individual Vehicle Approval: specific vehicle testing for one-off and low volume specialist vehicles.

Looking after your Wheelchair Accessible Car As the UK’s leading specialist in wheelchair accessible vehicles, Allied Mobility is dedicated to designing and building the best range of wheelchair cars, people carriers and minibuses available. They’re equally dedicated to looking after their customers – not just helping you find your ideal accessible transport but keeping in touch and providing ongoing support, throughout the life of you Allied Mobility vehicle.

Allied Aftercare™ Buy any wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) from Allied Mobility now and you’ll benefit from their unique Allied Aftercare™ programme: • No-obligation home demonstrations • Free home delivery, nationwide • Customer helpline, open seven days a week • Post-delivery familiarisation check • Annual safety check

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Motoring WAVS

Available

Spring 2017 Lewis Reed to launch the

Mercedes-Benz V-Class Grande L

ewis Reed is delighted to announce the launch of its new Mercedes V-Class Grande which will be available from Spring 2017.

This latest addition to the Lewis Reed portfolio of wheelchair accessible vehicles is unique as the headroom space has been increased from 53�/135cm to 57�/145cm and takes Lewis Reed to a new level in terms of luxury, comfort and choice which is unrivalled in the UK. The V-Class Grande will be available in two models: the Sport and AMG line and in the extralong wheelbase.

Every vehicle supplied by Lewis Reed is bespoke and customised to ensure it meets the requirements of the individual which can vary incredibly from one user to the next.

The V-Class Grande comes with a comprehensive range of control options and flexible seating positions to offer practical solutions for the user and their carer or family. The adaptable

floor-mounted rail system is quick and easy to use providing a choice of up to six passenger seating and wheelchair positions.

To ensure entering and exiting the vehicle is as easy as possible, the V-Class Grande is fitted with electric sliding doors on both sides. A side lift is also available as an optional extra. For wheelchair access, the large automatic powered tailgate opens to enable a remote-controlled rear lift or lowered floor and lowering suspension.

Once again Lewis Reed has successfully developed a new and unique product in the form of the new Mercedes-Benz V-Class Grande.

Call today using the contact details below for more information or for more information on the full range of wheelchair accessible vehicles available from Lewis Reed call 0151 343 5360 or visit: www.lewisreedgroup.co.uk You can also follow Lewis Reed on Twitter @lewisreedgroup and Facebook: Lewis Reed Wav Ltd.

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Motoring

WAVs

The Brotherwood Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Weekend Returns We spoke to Vicky Missen from Brotherwood Automobility to find out more about the upcoming event that they have in April. e are pleased to announce that the Brotherwood ‘WAV Weekend’ Event will be returning this April Bank Holiday Weekend, giving you the opportunity to explore and drive the UK’s leading range of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles in one place.

W

The Brotherwood ‘WAV Weekend’ Event will also include the launch of our brand new, exclusive ‘Klastar’ Mercedes-Benz V-Class conversion, which promises to be our most luxurious and refined WAV to date; with a low level floor conversion offering 57” of internal headroom, a unique Brotherwood Powered Ramp system, high specification and a choice of powerful diesel engines in conjunction with the Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic automatic transmission for a smooth, effortless drive.

Hosted at the exceptional Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset, with its huge exhibits of exotic and historical cars and motorbikes, the Brotherwood WAV Weekend will give you the

chance to discuss your needs with our accessibility experts in person and browse our entire range of accessible cars. Brotherwood will also have a limited number of passes to the Motor Museum to give away to clients who take a test drive across the weekend.

With excellent disabled access and facilities - and conveniently located alongside the A303 just 30 minutes from junction 25 of the M5 - The Haynes International Motor Museum is the UK’s largest collection of the greatest cars from around the world.

The Museum currently offers 19 individual exhibitions and it is very much a “Museum in Motion” with tours, talks and activities for families, children and enthusiasts alike. Packed with precious metal, the Haynes International Motor Museum is truly a world-class motor museum.

For more details please visit www.brotherwood.com or call 01935 872603. You can also follow Brotherwood on Facebook for further updates.

Event Details • Open Days: Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April • Venue: Haynes International Motor Museum, Somerset • Explore the UK’s leading range of WAVs • See the launch of the new Brotherwood MercedesBenz V-Class • Explore the world-class Motor Museum

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JEEP RENEGADE

From NIL Advance Payment

JEEP® RENEGADE 1.6 E-TORQ EVO SPORT

• 5" touchscreen DAB radio with Bluetooth technology • All-speed traction control • Air conditioning • 16" alloy wheels • UPGRADE TO 1.4 MULTIAIR LONGITUDE DDCT (AUTOMATIC) FOR ONLY £295 ADVANCE PAYMENT Visit your local Jeep dealer now or go to jeep.co.uk/motability

OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR JEEP RENEGADE RANGE MPG (L/100KM): EXTRA URBAN 47.9 (5.9) – 70.6 (4.0), URBAN 32.5 (8.7) – 55.4 (5.1), COMBINED 40.9 (6.9) – 64.2 (4.4), CO2 EMISSIONS: 160 – 115 G/KM. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EC directives/regulations and may not be representative of real-life driving conditions. Factors such as driving style, weather and road conditions may

also have a significant effect on fuel consumption. Vehicle shown is Jeep Renegade 1.6 E-TorQ EVO Sport available with NIL Advance Payment with Alpine White paint included. Advance Payments are correct at time of going to press and subject to orders being placed between 1st October to 31st December 2016. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Terms & Conditions apply. Offer may be varied and withdrawn at any time. Jeep® is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.

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03/10/2016 14:51 26/09/2016 15:45

Motoring

McELMEEL

McElmeel Mobility Services leads the way in achieving Qualified Vehicle Modifier accreditation from Ford cElmeel Mobility Services has been announced as the first Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) converter in Europe to be accredited as a FordQVM Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM).

M

As a third-generation family business, McElmeel Mobility Services has developed from its humble beginnings in 1950 to be a leading and highly-regarded supplier of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (cars, taxis and minibuses) across the UK and Ireland serving Motability, private and commercial customers.

With the exploration and use of the latest technology and design, McElmeel design engineers are constantly driving forward new innovations that will further enhance the vehicles offered for disabled drivers and passengers.

In July 2016, McElmeel Mobility Services were honoured when they were approached by Ford, and invited to apply to their QVM Programme. This involved leading Ford engineers from Germany visiting the McElmeel Mobility site in Armagh to verify that the production methods, systems and processes followed by the engineers met the Ford manufacturing standard. A collaborative effort between Ford and McElmeel Mobility Services saw this accreditation being awarded at the end of October 2016 at Ford HQ in Dunton.

Customers can confidently acquire a Wheelchair Accessible Ford Vehicle from McElmeel Mobility Services with the same assurance that would accompany the purchase of a standard Ford vehicle.

Conor McElmeel, Managing Director of McElmeel Mobility Services said: “We are extremely proud of this accreditation, our heritage and of the company we are today.

We appreciate, care about and value our customers and it is very rewarding to see the difference our vehicles can make to the life of an individual or a family.

“Our business continues today with the same ethics and integrity that my grandfather and founder, Thomas McElmeel, laid as the foundation stones almost seven decades

LEFT-RIGHT: James Devlin (McElmeel Design Engineer), David Petts (Transit Product Manager), Simon Robinson (Chief Program Engineer), Conor McElmeel (McElmeel Managing Director), Danny Scheutz (QVM Team Leader), Jan Stulzenberg (Supervisor Transit SVE), Martin McElmeel (McElmeel Workshop and Project Manager)

ago. The entire McElmeel team is united in ensuring that our future continues to grow from strength to strength and, as we endeavour to continually improve whilst keeping the needs of our customers at the heart of what we do, we hope to be at your service for many generations to come.”

To discuss your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle needs or to arrange to a noobligation home demonstration please contact McElmeel Mobility Services.

Regional Winners for Excellence in Customer Service 2016 was a year of achievements for McElmeel Mobility Services. Prior to being awarded the FordQVM accreditation, they were crowned Regional Winners for Excellence in Customer Service through the Chamber Business Awards which represents more than 1,200 businesses across the region. Now their sights are firmly set on the 2017 awards.

02837 525333 www.mobility-services.com info@mobility-services.com

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INCORPORATING:

Europe’s largest test drive and independent mobility event!

1-3 June 2017

NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire Organised by

on behalf of

Free, fully accessible and fun for all the family!

Open 10am daily. Test, drive and compare the latest: • Accessible vehicles • Adapted driving controls • Mobility scooters • Wheelchairs • Ramps • Hoists

Racing Driver Nic Hamilton, brother of F1 Driver Lewis Hamilton, to open the show!

• Innovative ideas for easier mobility & more!

Register now for all the latest news at: www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk and follow us on Facebook

Adverts_motoring17.indd 48

22/03/2017 16:39

Motoring

INSURANCE

Be insured and reassured Choosing the right insurance which meets your requirements at the right price can be a confusing process. For peace of mind, here are some of the points you ought to consider…

E POINTS...

4 NEED-TO-KNOW INSURANC

1

Do I need car insurance?

If you own or drive a car, there’s no getting away from it: insurance is always required. Some people mistakenly believe that they do not need car insurance if they do not currently own a vehicle. That’s not always the case.

If you drive someone else’s car, for example, you could be found liable in the event of an accident. One way to help you stay covered while you don’t own a vehicle is to be added as an additional driver to the policy of a family member or friend.

2

Help for disabled drivers

Thankfully, it’s no longer difficult for some disabled people to get car insurance quotes for adapted vehicles. Under the Equality Act 2010, it is against the law for an insurance provider to charge you extra because you have a disability.

When searching for car insurance, shop around. Mainstream insurers and price comparison sites sometimes don’t include any adaptations that have been made to your vehicle as standard. That’s why you

may wish to consider requesting quotes from some of the insurance providers who specialise in insuring disabled people to see what they can offer.

If you are driving a vehicle that has been specially adapted to suit your needs, it’s worth remembering that an insurance company may increase their charges to offset the increased cost of repairs that may arise in the future.

If you are operating a vehicle provided by the Mobility Scheme (see page 7), it comes with insurance included. In some instances, specialist insurers will cover the mobility equipment you transport in your vehicle up to a certain amount. In the event that your vehicle is off the road – which can be a significant inconvenience particularly for a disabled driver – some of these companies may be able to get you an adapted vehicle to tide you over.

3

If you already have car insurance

If you develop a health condition or disability, you should inform your car insurance company. It can’t charge you a higher premium or increase your excess without evidence that you are an increased risk.

4

Insuring your scooter or powerchair

You don’t need to pass a test or have a driving licence to operate a mobility scooter. Although you are not legally obliged to insure your mobility scooter or powerchair, charity Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) says it is highly recommended.

Not only will a policy protect you against any accident damage, vandalism and theft, but also negligence claims that may arise from the use of your mobility vehicle.

Some insurance companies cover your vehicle for external damage by fire, storm or flood and there are those who offer no excess policies. If you travel with your mobility scooter or powerchair, you’ll find that some specialist companies may offer 90-day worldwide cover.

DMUK says there have been a small number of instances in which uninsured scooter users have been sued for negligence after causing injury.

Some insurance providers offer 24/7 breakdown cover, which gives you peace of mind that you’ll get home safely should your scooter or powerchair break down.

Handy insurance websites 1. surewise.com 2. markbatesltd.com 3. chartwellinsurance.co.uk 4. fishinsurance.co.uk

5. adrianflux.co.uk 6. disabledmotoringuk.org 7. motability.co.uk 8. bluebadgemobilityinsurance.co.uk Motoring with

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21/03/2017 16:06

Motoring

EVENTS

Dates for your diary Here are two of the biggest mobility shows in the country.

Get yourself along to see what is available.

The Mobility Roadshow  1-3 June 2017 NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire Moving to the NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, The Mobility Roadshow offers visitors a showcase of the latest innovations in mobility, including wheelchairs, scooters, trikes and hoists and ramps, all ready for customer testing. Opened by inspirational Disabled Racing Driver Nicolas Hamilton, brother of F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, the Mobility Roadshow is Europe’s largest testdrive and independent mobility event. With free admission, free parking and a fully-accessible venue, it is the perfect opportunity to see what is available to you. You do not need a ticket to attend. 01332 810007

Arnold Clark’s

Motability Roadshow  17 May 2017, SECC, Glasgow The Arnold Clark Motability Roadshow returns to Glasgow’s SECC for another year and promises to be bigger and better than 2016’s tenth anniversary show. Over the years, over 20,000 Motability customers have visited the SECC for the annual show, and over 1200 cars have been brought to the event with an average of 120 cars exhibited each year. The day will allow visitors to come and put questions forward to Motability experts and see what is available from over 20 manufacturers, meaning there is sure to be something for you.

0141 648 1088

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INTEREST FREE HIRE/BUY PLAN AVAILABLE

Call now for a FREE demonstration.

NEW

I N N OVAT I O N

01559 384097

ads_pos_feb-mar17.indd 14 Medimotion A4 ad Dec 2015.indd 1

27/01/2017 22:38 11:21 16/12/2015

The Ultimate Driving Machine

THE BMW 2 SERIES ACTIVE TOURER.

AVAILABLE ON THE MOTABILITY SCHEME.

BMW RANGE FROM £999 ADVANCE PAYMENT*.

• The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is now available from £999 Advance Payment • Range also includes the BMW 1 Series (3-door and 5-door), BMW X1, seven-seat BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer and BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring • Selected models accessible to drivers under 25 years old • Manual or automatic transmission and high standard specification includes metallic paint, BMW Emergency Call and BMW Navigation • A brand-new BMW every three years with insurance, service and maintenance all covered

To help find the right BMW for you, call 0800 325 600, visit bmw.co.uk/motability or contact the Motability Scheme Specialist at your local BMW Centre.

Official fuel economy figures for the BMW range available on the Motability Car Scheme: 40.4-68.9mpg (7-4.1 l/100km).

Extra Urban 60.1-85.6mpg (4.7-3.3 l/100km). Combined 51.4-78.5mpg (5.5-3.6 l/100km). CO2 emissions 129-89g/km.

Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions.

*The BMW range available on the Motability Scheme starts from £999 Advance Payment for the BMW 216d SE Active Tourer, BMW 118i SE 3-door and 5-door Sports Hatch. Models shown are the BMW 216d Luxury Active Tourer from £1,599 Advance Payment, BMW 118i M Sport 5-door Sports Hatch from £1,999 Advance Payment, BMW X1 sDrive18d SE from £1,499 Advance Payment and BMW 216d Sport Gran Tourer from £1,899 Advance Payment. Prices are correct at time of going to print for orders placed and accepted between 1 April and 30 June 2017. All models on the Motability Scheme include optional metallic paint at no extra cost. Models featured may include options at an additional cost. The facilities offered are for the hire (bailment) of goods. The Motability Scheme is administered by Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. To qualify you must be in receipt of either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP), which will be taken in lieu of the four weekly rental. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request.

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21/03/2017 14:41 09:44 15/03/2017