Toyota Adapted Corolla Available for Test Drives

Visitors to the Toyota Stand at the Mobility Show will have the opportunity to test drive an adapted Corolla from 15-17 June at Transport Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, Berkshire. Toyota (GB) PLC was one of the first manufacturers in the UK to offer disabled drivers the opportunity to test drive one of their models with adaptations already fitted through the Toyota Regional Demonstrator Programme.

Toyota Fleet Business Development Manager, Neal Standen, said the initiative, introduced in 1999, came after listening to customers’ comments on how useful it would be to have adapted demonstrators available.

“Our Toyota Motability specialists offer advice regarding vehicle suitability as well as the opportunity for disabled customers across the UK to test drive an adapted Corolla before confirming an order,” said Neal.

The vehicles are located at two dealerships, enabling as wide a geographic area to be covered as possible. They are Farmer and Carlisle Loughborough, located in the Midlands, and Octagon Bracknell, in the South.

When customers visit their local Toyota dealerships the Motability specialist will qualify their needs and arrange the use of an adapted model, which, subject to availability, can be made available to any UK dealership within a few days.

The two vehicles both have different adaptations to facilitate the widest possible range of disabilities:

Hand Controls and Steering Wheel Ball Demonstrator

This demonstrator is fitted with hand controls and steering wheel ball. The hand controls consist of a single lever mounted on the steering wheel, which allows the disabled driver to control the accelerator by pulling the lever towards the wheel and control the brake by pushing it away.

The lever is shaped to conform with the radius of the steering wheel, enabling good, smooth control of the vehicle.

Hand Controls Demonstrator

This demonstrator is fitted with hand controls, steering wheel ball and left foot accelerator. The twin flip accelerator is a system that enables a disabled driver with a right leg disability to continue to operate the accelerator without the use of hand controls. The system consists of two pedals that are hinged and linked by a cable, therefore if the right pedal is in use the left is folded up out of the way and vice versa.

A steering wheel mounted infra red control system allows the easy and safe operation of up to 15 of the car’s controls at the touch of a button and can be transferred to a new Toyota when necessary.

The adaptations for the Corollas have been supplied by Specialised Vehicle Options, specialists in the supply of vehicle conversions for the disabled.

More customer information on the Toyota Motability scheme is available from your local Toyota dealership, the Toyota Call Centre on 0845 275 5555 or on the Toyota website http://www.toyota.co.uk

Adapted Corolla will be available for test drive at the Toyota Stand, Mobility Roadshow, Crowthorne from 15-17 June 2001.

ENDS