Wheelchair_Wonder

Hi @Stonekeeper Thanks for putting that YouTube video up... A steering wheel ring is an option, but I would suggest that the majority of us drive on standard push/pull controls. I did try a steering wheel ring once and just couldn't get on with it. I've now actually seen the Mk4 and sat in it at my Skoda dealer and yep, it's definitely a problem that shows Skoda / VAG have made no consideration for their disabled customers which is greatly disappointing.

@Fatso Might be a tad tricky whilst your driving though!!! 😆🤣😆

Hi Fatso, I've been wondering if anyone has got the new Mk4 Superb with hand controls yet due to Skoda moving the position of the gear lever up onto the right hand side of the steering column - the same place that most hand controls go. It's the fact we have to push the brake pedal in order to start the car and put it in gear, but also we can currently use the gear stick to flip it across into "Manual mode" or quickly flick the stick towards us to put it in Sports mode whilst still having our right hand on our throttle/brake. I just can't see how we are going to be able to do these things with the new layout? I have written to Skoda directly about this seeing they have gone down this route with 2 of their models already and suspect remaining models will follow suit as they get replaced / updated. Unfortunately Skoda weren't interested and just apologised that these 2 models don't fulfil my needs as a disabled customer.... I just haven't had the energy to fight this any further, especially as I'm not in a position to purchase a new car yet. What frustrates me is that the Skoda Superb estate has the biggest boot space in it's class and when your a para-athlete in a wheelchair, with all my sports equipment, Triride and my assistant in the car, no other model even comes close.... I've currently got a Mk3 Estate on hand controls and absolutely love it!!! The difference adaptive cruise control and traffic assist makes is amazing and significantly reduces hand control reliance...… Speak to your local Skoda dealer and see what they have to say.... I'll be really interested to hear how you, or any other disabled owner, get on with this new interior layout.

Thanks for that Stonekeeper... My car is already looked after by Group 1 Skoda - I own my car privately, I.e. it's not part of the Motability scheme. This change made by Skoda seems to have caught out the dealers with them saying "oh I hadn't thought of that... 🤦🏻‍♂️"

Thanks Ootohere and yes there are certainly some geniuses around who will hopefully find a solution, just a shame they don't work for Skoda or the Volkswagen Group!!! 🤣 I think this comes down to 2 areas: 1) The practicality of modifying a production vehicle so that disabled drivers can use it. 2) and this is probably the more important one and that is that Skoda / VAG should have thought about this as part of their design process BEFORE the vehicle went into production!!! Not only should they have feedback user groups but they should also have disabled user groups to ensure that their vehicles are accessible. Now I acknowledge that isn’t always possible when you have wheelchair users who can't transfer and often a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) is the only solution, but there are many of us who are permanent wheelchair users who are capable of transferring into cars from our chairs and even lifting our chairs across our laps onto the front passenger seat.

My current Mk3 has the automatic electronic parking brake, but in order to start the car or put the car into gear, one has to push and hold the foot brake - which in my case is to push my hand controls to apply the brake. Currently I can also drive on hand controls and drop the vehicle down into Sports mode or can use the paddles to change gear and always flip the gear stick to turn it back to full auto mode. With the gear lever gone and moved to the steering column, one can't push on the brake AND put into gear using the same hand at the same time. As for other functions on the gear selector - well it looks like just forget it!!! Even if Skoda had moved this new gear selector to the left hand side of the steering wheel rather than having it on the right would have made a huge difference. It just seems that when the designers at Skoda came up with these ideas, they didn't even consider their disabled drivers at all and have produced a product that is far from, shall we say, "disabled friendly" 🤦‍♂️

I am wondering if there are any disabled (hand control) drivers out there looking at the new Skoda Superb MK4? I currently own a 2020 Skoda MK3 2.0TSI L&K Estate and drive it on hand controls and have to say that I absolutely love this car!!! The only thing that annoys me is that I can't close the boot from inside the cabin which when your in a wheelchair would be very useful. My concern is the BIG change Skoda have made to both the new Superb and Kodiak by moving the gear selector to a stalk off the steering column. The stalk sits on the same side that most disabled drivers have their accelerator/brake control. So unless I have some genetic deformity and have grown 2 right arms, how can disabled drivers press the brake AND select a gear at the same time??? 🤷🏻‍♂️ I have written to Skoda UK about this and they have been absolutely useless with the following in one email reply: "I understand that the latest modules do not cater to all drivers, and your feedback may be considered for the future of Škoda vehicles. You are welcome to discuss this with the Sales Team at your nearest Škoda Retailer as there are the Motability vehicles that could be considered. As you are aware these vehicles can come with optional builds or extras to suit your driving needs. While I cannot assure you that it could be done at this time for the latest versions of the Superb and the Kodiaq you have mentioned, however, this is something that may be looked at if requested. I trust that the above information proves helpful. Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details below." So basically it would appear that Skoda are changing their direction with their vehicle platforms and interiors and have totally ignored the needs for their current (and future) disabled customers.... Looks like my current Superb is going to be my last Skoda!!! 😫

And what's the point if its never going to be available for Skoda customers to purchase? Even with a restricted limited run. So we can all drool over it, but none of us are ever going to own it!!!