Ssangyong launches an all new initiative, utilising the new Tivoli as a Driving School car, and it will be good.

• SsangYong launches a programme for driving schools

SsangYong Motor UK is launching a special programme on its new Tivoli SUV dedicated to driving schools.

Available on all Tivoli 1.6 petrol and diesel models and worth £500 to officially recognised driving schools, the programme includes the free fitment of dual control pedals, and a £100 contribution towards the cost of a roof mounted learner A board and ‘L plate’ magnetic graphic panels.

In addition, SsangYong is providing a £500 ‘congratulations on passing your test’ voucher to those who have learnt to drive and pass their test in a Tivoli, redeemable either as a cash discount or a deposit contribution when buying a new car.

A number of SsangYong dealers will also be established as expert driving school centres where a Tivoli with dual controls can be demonstrated.

The contemporary SsangYong Tivoli B-segment SUV is available with 1.6 litre petrol or diesel power, manual and automatic transmission, two-wheel drive or 4x4.

“We know that many driving instructors need a car that’s easy for their pupils to learn on, while also doubling as their own personal transport,” says Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK. “Highly responsive and light to drive, the Tivoli meets both these demands, and also comes with a market leading 5 year limitless mileage warranty to give driving school owners complete peace of mind.”

Tivoli SE - from £12,950

The Tivoli SE starts from just £12,950, and is powered by a 1.6 litre Euro 6 engine with manual transmission.  Finished in a smart grey cloth trim, it includes 16” alloy wheels, cruise control, a stop/go system, Smart steering (normal, comfort and sport modes), an RDS/Bluetooth radio and seven airbags.

Tivoli EX - from £14,600

The EX features cruise control, smart steering (normal, comfort and sport modes), an RDS/Bluetooth radio and seven airbags, grey or beige leather upholstery, 18” alloy Spiral wheels, dual zone climate control, 7” touch screen smart audio system with rear view camera, heated front seats, front fog lights and a luggage load cover.

Tivoli ELX - from £16,000

The top of the range ELX adds the choice of manual and automatic transmission, and features Diamond cut alloy wheels, a smart instrument cluster, smart keyless starting, front & rear parking sensors, privacy glass, rear spoiler, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, full TomTom navigation system with 7” touch screen, rear view camera, and the option of the styling pack and red leather pack with My Tivoli.

5 year limitless mileage warranty

All models in the SsangYong range are covered by a best-in-class 5 year limitless mileage warranty.  Designed to be totally transparent and give customers complete peace of mind, ‘limitless’ means just that: not a maximum mileage condition that some brands impose in their small print.  All the major mechanical components are covered including the engine and drivetrain, wheel bearings, suspension joints and bushes, steering joints, shock absorbers and even the audio system.  Wearable components such as clutch friction plates and brake pads which could have their life reduced by poor driving are covered for one year or 12,500 miles, and the battery and paintwork for three years.

The MG3 hits the nail on the head for Pennie and her New Driving School.

A near tragic accident gave Pennie Alexander a burning passion to teach youngsters to drive safely. But she had almost given up on her ambition until a new MG3 turned Pennie’s dream into reality and has changed her life around.

Just two weeks after Pennie’s daughter Bobbie-Jo passed her driving test, Bobbie-Jo was involved in a horrific accident with a truck on a busy dual-carriageway.

Although Bobbie-Jo wasn’t seriously injured, the mangled wreck of her car was a complete write-off. At just 18-years-old, Bobbie-Jo was traumatized by the accident and it took weeks of patience, encouragement and coaching for Pennie to get her daughter back behind the wheel.

The accident happened six years ago and since then Pennie has dreamed of becoming a driving instructor. She explained: “I was a gymnastics coach for 15 years and always tried my hardest to get the best out of the gymnasts. I loved seeing them achieve new skills and missed the feeling of fulfilment knowing that I’d helped them accomplish their goals.

“Becoming a driving instructor was the obvious way for me to get that sense of gratification and to use my skills to help youngsters learn to drive.

“Bobbie-Jo’s accident was typical of so many involving youngsters, although not all young people are lucky enough to escape injuries. My belief is that you need to teach young drivers from an entirely different perspective than older people.”

But Pennie’s dream of opening a special driving school dedicated to younger drivers had to be put on hold. She explained: “There were always two major hurdles in my way – I just couldn’t find a car that I thought suitable for youngsters, and the cost of cars put the whole plan out the window.

Pennie looked at a raft of small cars, but none came close to fitting the bill, until by chance she found out about the MG3. She had owned an MGF sports car for a few years, so she knew the brand.

Then Pennie discovered that W.H. Brand in Spalding, not far from her home in Wisbech St Mary, was an MG dealer. She said: “I went for a test drive and just couldn’t believe it – the car was exactly what I wanted in every detail. 

“I wanted a car that was simple to use and the MG3 ticked that box. I wanted a straightforward un-cluttered layout, and the MG3 was exactly that. I wanted a car that had plenty of vision and was good on clutch and accelerator controls and guess what, the MG3 scored there too.  

“I think I would have done the deal there and then anyway because no other car I’d tried came anywhere close. But when they told me the price – that was it, I was dumbfounded.” 

So Pennie’s dream driving school, DARE2DRIVE, was formed. Now she is teaching both young learner drivers and is hoping to make contact with schools across the Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk borders to set up off-road teaching for 14-17-year-olds.

She said: “Driving can be a formidable experience for youngsters, but my method of teaching means that even youngsters who have never sat in a driving seat before can start to learn the techniques about car control. That allows them to very quickly build confidence and then they are open-minded about all the key safety messages my method is founded on. 

“To be honest, I don’t think I could make this progress so quickly in any other car. It’s because the MG3 is easy to drive, doesn’t distract their concentration, has a brilliant stereo, and fantastic door mirrors giving excellent visibility. For me, and my students, the MG3 is just perfect.”  

Adam Brand, of W. H. Brand, said: “We are delighted that Pennie is so obviously pleased with the car. All of our customers are, Pennie is now almost as passionate about the MG3 as she is about her ambitions to teach youngsters how to drive properly and safely.”