THIS year’s Mobility Roadshow is on track to be the best ever with several ‘first view’ opportunities for visitors.
In the Motoring Arena will be the first adapted new Vauxhall Zafira Tourer available to test drive.
Launched just a few weeks ago, Vauxhall believes the vehicle’s strong safety focus and spacious luggage space for mobility aid storage is “the ultimate car for disabled drivers and passengers”.
Ford has chosen the Roadshow to host one of the first Ford B-MAX displays. Features that are expected to have wide appeal to people with disabilities are the easy-access 1.5m wide aperture door system and spacious interior. Another, the Active City Stop, helps prevent collisions in slow-moving traffic by automatically braking if necessary.
Sirus Automotive is launching a new wheelchair passenger-up-front vehicle, based on the fuel-efficient 1.3 Fiat Qubo, which the company says will be the most affordable currently on the market.
Acknowledging that for some, price has been a barrier, the company is determined to make the companionship of side by side motoring accessible to more disabled passengers.
Also launching is another new wheelchair accessible vehicle, the Lewis Reed SEAT Alhambra, a “good-sized” five passenger seat vehicle, plus room for one wheelchair position.
Autochair will be showcasing its new range of Olympian Hoists, easily adjusted to suit a wide range of vehicle makes and models to provide those with reduced mobility, quick and effortless loading of a scooter, power chair or electric wheelchair into their vehicle – up to 200kg capacity.
Apart from showing off four top wheelchair accessible vehicles, Constables is also launching Unwin’s new Solar wheelchair restraint system in its Nissan NV200 and Renault Kangoo conversions. Sled tested to ensure utmost security for the wheelchair user, Constables believes this to be one of the most innovative systems on the market.
Elap Engineering will announce a new electric rotating seat and the Ghost, an almost invisible innovative accelerating system mounted directly under the steering wheel, and available to test drive installed in a Ford S Max and Mondeo. It enables acceleration with a natural rotary movement – clockwise or anticlockwise – whilst keeping both hands on the steering wheel.
At the Mobility Choice stand, visitors can find out all about the new Mobility Choice Motoring website, an online portal for a range of services for the mobility sector, including news, vehicle reviews and road tests, a section for pre-owned adapted vehicle sales, and a comprehensive directory facility.
Mobility motoring has always been at the heart of this popular event and, as always, visitors will also be able to try out hundreds of new accessories, wheelchairs and scooters, health and fitness equipment, home products, and all sorts of gadgets and gizmos to enhance independence.
New features this year include a dedicated Fitness Zone, Switches for Kids and Tech for Teens, Interactive Crafting and Painting Workshops. The Design Zone is expanding with new features and opportunities to vote for favourite products, and there will be a daily programme of mini-tournaments and events in the Sports Arena.
Mobility Roadshow, Thurs-Sat June 21-23, Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground
Register for test drives and free tickets at www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk or call 0845 241 0390
