A conversion by Sirus Automotive has made the Dacia Jogger the only new Wheelchair Accessible Car for sale in the UK.
Sirus Automotive has been designing and manufacturing mobility solutions for more than 20 years. In the Dacia Jogger, its engineers found a platform that allowed them to deliver favourable levels of interior space for a car of this size that are usually reserved for van-based conversions.
The result is an industry first, a family-friendly car based on the Dacia Jogger designed to accommodate up to six people, including one wheelchair passenger.
Simon Pearson, Sirus Automotive founder and managing director said: “We selected the Dacia Jogger so we could offer our customers all the benefits of a family car at an affordable price. We were impressed with the quality and reliability of Dacia’s range, so the Jogger was the ideal car for us, giving us a choice of trim levels which includes the latest driver assistance and infotainment technology.”
The conversion enables wheelchair access via a lightweight, counterbalanced ramp. By lowering the floor, Sirus Automotive has been able to achieve a seated head height of 139cm with the Dacia Jogger’s space and generous headroom ensuring a wheelchair user can sit comfortably.
The mid-row seats – capable of seating one, two or three people and with integral ISOFIX mountings for two car seats – can be safely folded out of the way to create additional space or left in place so a wheelchair user can sit with other rear-seat passengers. An anti-slip coating on the ramp ensures safe access even in wet weather, while a variety of wheelchair restraint systems – including manual or automated locking and winch-assisted loading – are also available.
“Just because you are in a wheelchair doesn’t mean life stops,” explains Andrew Russell, one of the first customers of the Dacia Jogger Wheelchair Accessible Car.
“We still need a car that is nice to drive, offers flexibility, has rear seats for our grandchildren, and ISOFIX for two child seats. To be able to fit myself plus another five people in the car is fantastic. We will use all the rear seats on the occasions we are taking our grandchildren on holiday. The modular roof bars also mean we can easily transport our luggage.”
On his first impressions of the Dacia Jogger, the ex-headteacher added: “I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the features and quality, and it certainly feels like it’ll last. I also like the fact that I’ve got everything in the back that everybody else does, such as a USB charger and cupholders. It’s really well thought out.”
Every Jogger is converted at the company’s facility in Wednesbury, West Midlands, and is fully supported by Dacia, is PAS Approved and has National Small Series Type Approval.