Who says cars are only for the young?
January 05, 2008
contributed by Justin Lee

Ferrari’s may be sleek, low and sporty, but did you know that Enzo Ferrari only started making these highly desirable sports cars when he was over fifty years old. This fact was related to me when his son, Piero Ferrari, came to Singapore to meet some local owners a couple years ago.

In fact, it is probably the car industry that has been more aware of the increasingly growing aging population than anyone else. Just take a look at popular models such as the Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic. With a longer lead time to get a car onto the market, car manufacturers have to do a bit of “crystal-ball grazing” to predict the needs and demands of the public five or ten years into the future. A new car launched this year, was probably being planned and developed five years ago.

Within the last decade, each time there has been a model change for the Corolla or Civic, the cars have become taller, and more comfortable and definitely more age-friendly.
How does additional height help make a car easier for a senior citizen get in and out of a car? It has to do with the height of the seat – the technical term being “hip point”. The hip point of most new cars is higher than before, and therefore closer to that of one’s standing position. In a new, taller car, one does not have to bend down as much to get into a seat – those with weak knees and joints will appreciate this additional height.

The popularity of MPVs, or Multi-Purpose Vehicles, has also made cars more age-friendly. As most of them are 7- or 8-seaters, they are inherently taller, and thus also have higher hip-points. This in turn has led to the creation of spacious “compact” MPVs, such as the Hyundai Matrix, which only seats 5-passengers, but is incredibly easy to into and spacious. By being seated higher, visibility of the road is better, which makes parking easier.

As for car interiors, here also, newer cars are more age-friendly. Take for example the car’s entertainment system. Many new models now feature factory-fitted radios and CD-players – these often have larger and clearer displays than small after-market units, and the buttons and controls are also larger than before. There are more features in a car entertainment system, allowing one to choose between radio, CD, MP3 and even the option of plugging in an iPod, but because these have been carefully and thoughtfully integrated into the dashboard design, being entertained on the road should be easier to operate.

Although one can assume car makers have been taking into account designing for the older and more mature car buyer, some car models are particularly age-friendly. Here are some of them:

With its compact exterior, and upright and tall cabin, the Daihatsu Sirion seems to have many age-friendly design features. Firstly, the doors open wider than normal, up to 80 degrees for the rear doors, allowing for easier access, especially if one needs to transfer a person from a wheel-chair. Also, clever and efficient use of space means that although the Daihatsu is small, its cabin is actually as spacious as many larger cars such as the Toyota Vios and Honda City. There are also many storage spaces and convenience features

Another impressively age-friendly car is the Suzuki SX4. Its height and hip-point have been carefully set to allow easy access for older car buyers. But instead of advertising this fact, Suzuki’s marketing department has cleverly given the SX4 an image of being a ‘cross-over’ vehicle, one that combines the convenience of an everyday car, with the added height of an off-road vehicle. The display and controls for the SX4’s in-car entertainment system is particularly clear and easy-to-use, considering its many functions.

Although French carmaker Peugeot had designed and developed its 1007 model to be a hip and trendy town car for young 20 somethings, it has turned out to be very popular in France with French seniors. The first thing one notices about the Peugeot 1007 is that it doesn’t have conventional doors – instead it has two very large sliding doors. And all it takes to open these doors is to touch a button, either on the key fob, or on the dashboard. Sliding doors really make a lot of sense, especially if they slide and open with motorized assistance. Apart from having these great doors, the 1007’s compact dimensions and upright stance make it particularly user-friendly and easy to maneuver, especially in town.

For those that require cars to be specifically developed for your needs, both Borneo Motors and parallel importer, Richburg Motors, will import Toyota models that have been developed for car buyers who have particular accessibility requirements. There is, for example, a model of the Toyota Picnic MPV that has been engineered with an arm that brings the seat out of the car so that a wheelchair bound person can be easily transferred onto the seat, and is then lifted into the car.

So if your ‘not young anymore’, but still get around, a visit to the car showroom may be a revelation. Car companies have taken steps to make their models age-friendly and easier to drive, and they are aware of the special needs of the senior citizen.

About the author
Justin Lee
Ex-Motoring Journalist for the last 15 years.
Currently Lecturer of Design Integrated Studies, School of Design,Temasek Polytechnic