When you hear about a UK-built two-seater EV sportscar you’re probably thinking of Lotus or Caterham, but the Firefly Sport is a whole different animal. The model from Young Driver Motor Cars is actually a toy car, designed with the goal of introducing kids to road safety and EVs, while offering driving dynamics similar to a full-sized automobile.
The Firefly Sports measures only 2.1 m long, and its two-seater cabin can accommodate children aged
between 4 and 10 years old. Thankfully, the roof is optional which means there
can be unlimited amount of headroom. The company will soon unveil a special
variant for adults, who won’t be able to fit in the current model.
The exterior design of the Firefly Sport
was designed by Puremedium, incorporating styling cues from modern supercars
and sportscars. Indeed, the aggressive LED lights, the bulged bonnet, the
muscular profile, and the aerodynamic rear deck look too sporty for something
that can be driven by kids, with the thin wheels and the steering wheel that
sticks out of the short windshield betraying its true nature. Inside we find a
speedometer, a range indicator, a clock, a reversing camera, plus switches for
operating the headlights, taillights, and indicators.
Similar to much-larger vehicles, the
Firefly Sport is based on an aluminum chassis, featuring independent suspension
and rack-and-pinion steering. The goal of this project was to build a vehicle
for kids that handles like a car. Thus, among the people involved with the
development were production engineer Steve Rawson who used to work for Aston
Martin, and powertrain engineer Dr. Ian Pogson who worked for JLR and MG.
The powertrain comprises two 24-Volt
electric motors, a gearbox, and dual rechargeable and recyclable 12-Volt
batteries. Depending on the configuration, the top speed ranges from as low as 11 km/h up to 40 km/h, making it suitable for different age
groups. For safety reasons, supervising adults can remotely cut off the power
within a 200 m range, while the vehicle is also equipped with a
sensor allowing it to automatically cut off power when it detects obstacles
ahead.
The company suggests that the Firefly
Sport is the first all-British EV since the batteries are sourced from
Bromsgrove, the electric motors are sourced from Bournemouth, the chassis is
made in Coventry, and the body is built in Huddersfield. The model will be
deployed in Young Driver’s UK training sites where kids can enjoy a 15-minute
test drive for £ 20 (US$ 24). It will also be available for purchase for families
who intend on using it on private land. Pricing will be announced during the
official debut at the British Motor Show on August 18, with production starting
this month. As for the much-anticipated adult-friendly variant, Young Driver
Motor Cars will announce more details in the near future.
