Earlier this year, we posted a story about Young Driver Motor Car’s plan to build a vehicle suitable for children. The intention was to get kids behind the wheel as young as possible so that they could be ready for the road when they turn 18.
And now, YDMC has revealed its final product. It’s called the Firefly and it’s a fully functioning automobile. It makes do with two electric motors, which can get it up to speeds of 16 km/h and it has a continuous running time of some nine hours.
Despite looking like a child’s toy, the Firefly is properly engineered. It makes use of a fully independent suspension, hydraulic brakes and forward and reverse gears. Full LED lights are placed on the front and rear.
Adults up to 1,8 metres tall can fit into the passenger seat if they wish to personally assist the young drivers. Other built-in safety features include an 8 km/h speed limiter, autonomous braking and an emergency shut-down function.
The interior can also be fitted with a tablet display system and carbon-fibre and leather trimmings.
UK-based YDMC says it will provide lessons in the Firefly for £20 an hour. Private units will be sold globally for £5 750 (about R107 000) before taxes, from next year.
