Kids, especially boys all over
the world, love cars and if they were to get their hands behind the wheels of
one, they would be super thrilled. In India, it’s often seen that rules are
tossed out of the window and parents make their children sit on their laps so
that their little boys can learn how to drive. Norms are flouted and those who
are not even eligible to drive because of their young age can be seen driving
vehicles in India and getting killed or injured in accidents.
But in countries like Japan,
it’s a different scenario. The young are encouraged to drive, but in a safe
way. They have toy cars to drive and satiate their desire to sit behind a
wheel.
To these children, Toyota will
be handing over keys to its latest concept roadster at the Tokyo Toy Show which
begins from June 1 to 4, 2017. Young visitors to the show will be able to get
behind the wheel of the Camatte Petta concept car for a hands-on driving
experience around a test track on Toyota's stand.
The Camatte School is designed
to capture the imagination of the next generation of drivers (and their
parents) by showing them much fun driving can be. It's a dream-come-true for
the youngsters who would normally have to wait years before climbing behind the
wheel of a real vehicle.
By participating, children
will first learn how to use a car's steering wheel, accelerator and brake on a
simulator before using these skills to take control of a real vehicle.
An adult seated behind and to
the left of each child can monitor steering and braking to help develop their
driving skills. Once they have completed the course, the junior motorists will
be rewarded with their own "driver's licence" complete with photo.
The Camatte Petta is the
latest in the Camatte series of concept cars Toyota has presented at the show
for the past five years. It is more than three metres long with three seats and
is powered by an electric motor. The name Camatte is based on the Japanese word
for caring.
Before driving the Toyota,
each child will be able to give their car a personal design with colourful
magnetic decals and panel designs for the bodywork.
Younger children and those not
tall enough to drive the Camatte Petta will still be able to learn how to
operate a car by using the driving simulator before sitting in Toyota's Camatte
57s concept car and receiving a "provisional" licence. The colours
and style of the Camatte 57s, which debuted at the show in 2013, can be
customised by using 57 easily removable and installable body panels.
CAMATTE PETTA
DIMENSIONS
|
Length
|
3075mm
|
|
Width
|
1235mm
|
|
Height
|
1315mm
|
|
Wheelbase
|
1800mm
|
|
Seating capacity
|
3
|
|
Powertrain
|
Electric motor
|
Source: Toyota / Motown India