While launching another addition to its Quantum range recently, Toyota took the opportunity to introduce motoring scribes to the company’s advanced driving initiative.
The multi-people carrier Quantum, which was launched in 2005, is now available in 10-seater form, and Toyota tells us that you do not need a professional driver’s permit to drive a 10-seater vehicle. They expect to sell the newcomer to car rental companies, big families and such.
The new Quantum comes in petrol and diesel form, and is surprisingly easy to drive.
A standard feature on Quantums is Data Dot, a microscopic dot that is invisible to the naked eye, is virtually impossible to remove and contains information about the vehicle such as its vehicle identification number. The dots are sprayed (no less than 10Â 000) on the vehicle’s engine and body parts and are a measure that will hopefully make it more difficult for vehicles to be chopped up and its spare parts sold illegally.
While there is no charge for the Data Dot on Quantums, it is available on all Toyotas for about R400.
Toyota’s advanced driving courses are available primarily for Toyota customers and can be arranged via Toyota dealerships, but the course can also be purchased by anyone in possession of a driver’s licence.
With everything from off-road driving courses to hijack prevention courses and high performance courses, Toyota foresees its courses becoming quite popular in South Africa, and they have purchased two skid-monster units to cater for demand.
The skid monster is a simulator that allows instructors to create controlled skid scenarios without a skidpan, and this allows Toyota’s advanced driving courses to take place anywhere in the country.
Two Toyota Run X models have been fitted with the skid-monster units, which make the car look as if normal rear wheels have been replaced by shopping trolley-sized wheels. Inside, there are switches that, when depressed, allow the rear wheels to rotate up to 360°, thereby simulating skids at very low speeds.
Contact your nearest Toyota dealership or check Toyota’s website if you’re interested in an advanced driving course.