Q-Pod Review, August 2005

The Q-Pod is described as 'unique in offering both off-road fun and excitement and on-road practicality and pleasure'. Put in more straight forward terms, it's a cross between a quad bike and a car. Manufactured in France and sold there as the FunTech, it's imported into the UK by the Unique Motor Company of Honiton, the chairman being one Noel Edmunds.

This is a two seater with a 340cc 4 stroke single cylinder petrol engine and continuously variable transmission driving the rear wheels. Designed for pumping water 24 hours a day the engine looks to be all but bomb proof, requires only minor servicing and results in a fuel consumption of around 60mpg. Similar in size and performance to many quad bikes, the Q-Pod differs by offering safety and comfort levels far above its rivals, including 3 point inertia reel seat belts, comprehensive roll over protection and a safety glass windscreen.

The seating position is very low to the ground, giving a sensation of speed, particularly off road, and certainly enhancing the 'fun' aspect. It will reach 45mph on flat tarmac and with decent acceleration, although the controls do take a bit of getting used to. It uses an inverted V cross bar for steering, with a twist grip throttle and has a single pedal for braking. Fortunately a 'breaking head unit' (i.e. hand control) is available as an option, which provides a cabling system to operate the foot brake by pushing the V bar forward. This is type approved so there will be no problems with insurance or legality. The unit fitted to the test vehicle was a bit stiff and required a good forward push to bring it to a halt, but the production version is said to be much easier to use. Technically this is a left hand drive vehicle but since it's only 1.3m wide the driving position feels quite natural, and the exceptionally low sills make access superb.

Off road the Q-Pod is an absolute blast, tackling grass and mud with aplomb. It will go up and down gradients that some 4 wheel drive vehicles might struggle with and can be thrown around with gusto. The standard sport version has no doors though, so expect to get muddy. As it has a moulded central cell, cleaning afterwards is just a case of giving it a good hose down, the very deep footwell had pre drilled drainage holes for this purpose. On road and at maximum speed you have to raise your voice above the engine noise to make yourself heard, and the steering is very responsive to the point of twitchy. That said it is very easy to drive, and the 'wind in the hair' experience takes your mind off a fairly bumpy ride.

With the roll over bar the Q-Pod is too high to fit inside most people carriers or vans, requiring 1.5m of clearance. The transportation problem has been overcome by the clever design of a tow hitch which attaches to the front and fits onto a standard tow bar, raising the front wheels off the road. It's possible to tow one of these for pretty much any distance required, and they have proven particularly popular with motor home owners.

The practicality of the Q-Pod depends on its intended use. It does have a small boot so would be a good vehicle for popping down to the shops, although this is above the engine so transporting fresh or frozen foods would not be a good idea (you could use the spare seat or footwell for shopping bags). The Unique Motor Company say that these are being purchased by some customers instead of scooters but since this is a road vehicle you need car tax and insurance, and drive one on the pavement and you'll probably end up in court. As a car replacement is doesn't really cut the mustard either, lacking the comfort, range and capacity of a small hatchback. Where it scores is as a second vehicle, something to pop to the pub (for an orange juice) in, or head off to the cinema and impress the locals. Anyone with access to off road sites will also enjoy the Q-Pod, and in much more safety than if they used a quad bike. On or off road, it's a smile inducing drive and certainly a head turner. However a long drive on a cold rainy winters evening would not be such a pleasant experience.

The good news is that those lovely people at HM Customs and Excise have agreed a zero VAT rating for disabled drivers buying the Q-Pod with the optional breaking head unit. Technically the vehicle purchased should also include some way of transporting a wheelchair, which may also mean investing in the sport rack which sits on top of the boot lid. The price is a little on the high side though, the sport model starting at £4195 ex VAT. Add to this £275 for the breaking head unit, £150 for the towing bar (assuming you want to transport it anywhere), £125 for the sport rack and (if you plan to use it in winter) £550 for a cab kit and set of full doors and you have the tidy sum of £5295 ex VAT. And don't forget to add £110 per year private light goods (PLG) car tax and around £120-£150 per year for insurance.

Currently the Unique Motor Company have 12 nationwide distributors of the Q-Pod, details are accessible via their web site at www.uniquemotorcompany.co.uk, or they can be contacted by phone on 0870 6000087

Many thanks to Nigel and Mike at the Unique Motor Company for providing the test vehicle and the forethought to fit hand control.

Reviewed by Dave Cooke of DCCS Limited

Copyright © DCCS Limited, 2005