A new car designed by motoring experts for five to 10 year olds is to launch for the first time – and the company behind it is looking for test drivers to help perfect the specially created vehicle.
The state-of-the-art car has been nine months in development and has been designed by specialist engineers specifically for under 10s.
The two-seater cars will feature twin, state of the art, electric motors, disc brakes, independent suspension, right or left hand drive steering and an innovative system that detects obstacles and stops the car to avoid collisions.
The cars will feature a contemporary body styled by car designer Chris Johnson, who has over 30 years’ experience in automotive and product design both working directly for car manufacturers and as a design consultant.
The training car has been specially produced by Young Driver Motor Cars Limited, a division of Young Driver, the UK’s largest provider of pre-17 driving lessons. Young Driver has delivered over 300,000 driving lessons to 10-17 year olds at more than 40 venues across the country.
Revealing its plans for the first time at the Gadget Show Live, running at the NEC from 31st March to 3rd April, members of the public will see a sneak preview of the car’s design with youngsters being given the opportunity to test drive one of four working chassis and provide feedback in this final development phase.
The car will be able to reach speeds of up to 10mph, however, on the finished car an innovative safety mechanism will ensure the car automatically cuts out if it is in danger of a collision. Parents will also be able to utilise a remote control to stop the car if it became necessary.
The car will officially launch in May 2016, when youngsters will be able to drive the vehicle at selected Young Driver venues across the UK.
Road systems will be created to allow the drivers to try their hand at everything from manoeuvring, junctions and traffic lights to reversing and parking.
The vehicles are entirely unique and are manufactured exclusively in Mansfield.
Initially the car will be used to provide lessons for youngsters at selected venues. In the future it will be made available to members of the public for private use, and, as this is a properly engineered car, rather than a toy, it’s thought the cost will be around £5,000.
