Wheelchair accessible vehicles are remodeled cars, vans or SUVs that enable disabled people to travel in them while remaining seated in their wheelchair either as a driver or passenger. Such vehicles are usually based on standard car models and include additional features such as a lift or a built-in ramp, wheelchair tie-downs and seat belts for wheelchair users to keep passengers secure and to aid entrance into the vehicle.
In Australia, there is a company called Freedom Motors that coverts regular cars to wheelchair accessible vehicles. They offer a range of eight different vehicles to wheelchair users, with two of them wearing Kia badges.
Kia Soul Freedom Van is Freedom Motors’ latest addition to their growing wheelchair accessible vehicles line-up and although it has just been introduced to the market it already promises to be very popular with the smaller vehicle conversion buyers.
If you are looking for a small trendy vehicle modification for wheelchair access, have an obligation free look at this beauty, and don’t worry, Kia Australia backs up this vehicle with a 5 year unlimited Kilometer Warranty Australia wide. (- quotation from FMA website)
The Soul is available as a Family Member (2 seater) and Self Drive (transfer seat) Conversion and offers surprising levels of interior room. According to Freedom Motors Australia, the Soul is fantastic car for those people who don’t want to drive the larger wheel chair accessible vans.
For easier manoeuvring and parking, the car is equipped with reversing mirror – camera system and parking sensors. It also features fold-down double seat to add 2 extra seats, electric opening and closing ramp, electric wheelchair restraints, remote opening and closing tailgate and ramp system and a Wheelchair Docking System that eliminates any use of wheelchair tie-down straps resulting in locking and releasing the wheelchair in only seconds.
The other wheelchair accessible vehicle with Kia badge in their vehicle line-up is a converted Kia Sedona minivan, known as Kia Grand Carnival in Australia. The vehicle offers a lot more room than Kia Soul Freedom Van and is available in 2 types, the standard and the premium conversions.
The standard Grand Carnival model has some height and width restrictions and suites a wheelchair that is not wider then 600mm where the lowered tray has been designed to fit over the original rear suspension leaving a slope and a hump on the lowered floor. The premium model has a complete flat floor thanks to the use of Freedom Motors unique rear suspension system which makes it even easier to get in and out of the vehicle.
Kia Grand Carnival converted to a wheelchair accessible vehicle is also equipped with features such as reversing sensors, reversing mirror – camera system, side steps, fold-down double seat, electric wheelchair restraints and others. [Source: Freedom Motors Australia]
Wheelchair accessible vehicle gallery: Kia Soul Freedom Van
August 28th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
that colour is sweet!
August 29th, 2009 at 7:05 am
*Unrelated*
Side Impact Results for 2010 Kia Forte 4 door sedan:
Front Seat: ***** (5 Star)
Rear Seat: *** (3 Star)
Rollover: **** (4 Star)
The risk of rollover is 10%, at 9% it would be 5 star. That 3 star rear side rating will kill sales.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
This is wonderfull, when it will be available in Canada.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
it won’t as far as I can see. the soul has been modified in australia by a company that has no relation to Kia. and shipping it to canada isnt possible either as its in a right hand drive config. There might be a company in Canada that does this kind modification too.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:55 am
This vehicle modification is available in the US from Freedom Amcar Motors in Florida and in The Netherlands from Freedom Motors NL in Vortum Mullem
September 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Heheh, we converted a Rolls Royce into a mobility vehicle once.
October 4th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
When it this vehicle going to be available in the UK
October 13th, 2009 at 4:51 am
That would be a great vehicle for transporting a small motorcycle or scooter.
October 13th, 2009 at 7:58 am
If you want a Kia Soul Freedom Van, you will need to contact the company in The Netrherlands. They will convert the vehicle you supply within a few weeks.
December 7th, 2009 at 3:27 am
The unmodified souls are great cars to drive, such a shame the conversion doesn’t come close to meeting Australian Standards as far as entry/interior space for the occupant, FMA state 1300mm entry height, 1350 internal, WELL under the 1450 and 1500 recommended in the standards
March 24th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
RPM, you must mean the Ozzy Public Transport Standards? Who needs Ozzy Transport Standards when you are not so tall in your wheelchair anyway. I think it’s great.
October 15th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Want to know if the floor is strong enough for loading a motorbike up to 450 lbs ?
February 20th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
My husband needs this Kia Soul Freedom. How do i get onw in California. I can’t seem to find a Freedom Amcar Motors affiliate any where nearby.