Power Base
The Permobil M3 Corpus Powerchair power base is designed as the all-rounder of Permobil's range for a more comfortable driving experience both in the home and outside it. The small footprint and central driving position allow for precision turning indoors, further helped by the consistent driving experience including at low speeds. Flexlink suspension provides advanced vibration reduction and keeps all six wheels on the ground - improving handling and comfort over rougher ground outdoors. This helps to maintain your positioning in the seat, allowing you to feel more secure and reducing driving fatigue. Uniquely, full suspension is maintained at any seating position (including with lift and tilt activated), unlike other powerchairs which may lock the suspension out at certain seating positions.
A top speed of 6 mph is available, and the standard 60 Ah batteries can be upgraded to large 70 Ah ones for an even longer range. For those who love off-roading, chunky snow/mud tyres are available, which are designed to cope with harsh Swedish winters - so can take anything the South East will throw at you.
If using special controls, an ESP module (gyro) can be added, to maintain straight-line driving without the need for constant corrections to your course, making for a more relaxing driving experience.
Seating
All Permobil powerchairs feature the Corpus seating system, which is completely customisable to meet your demands - whether for comfort, support and function. The seat will be set up to your exact size, with a wide array of cushions and backrests (including third-party ones) available to provide the ultimate comfort for you. Roho air cushions and backrests are a popular upgrade for those that require higher levels of pressure relief, and positioning options such as headrests, lateral supports, hip guides and more can be fitted. The end result is a seat tailor-made precisely for you, and which can be adjusted going forward to account for any changes in your needs.
The Corpus seating system offers a choice of powered seating options above and beyond what is found on equivalent models. The power seating functions are completely customisable, with three memory positions available as standard for optimal pressure relief and relaxation. The power recline goes back to a full 180° - most powerchairs of this level don't recline anywhere close to flat, and even those with "lie-flat" recline tend to go to around 175° at most. Bio-mechanical anti-shear and a close pivot point ensure your positioning accessories (such as the headrest) support you consistently all the way back, and reduces friction. The power tilt is an impressive 50° for optimum pressure relief - when tilt, recline and power elevating leg rests are combined they are an ideal treatment for oedema, raising your legs above the heart.
Active Height is a seat riser that lets you remain active whilst elevated up to 12 inches. You can drive at 3.2 mph whilst fully elevated - and with full suspension - ensuring you never sacrifice comfort for function. The riser lets you meet people eye to eye, reducing the need to look up all the time. Active Reach is a feature unique to Permobil chairs - it's not found on seating systems from other manufacturers such as Invacare or Sunrise Medical. A combination of anterior (forward) tilt and the seat riser, it gives you the ultimate advantage in accessing your environment, putting the world within your reach. With this, you can reach beyond obstructions, into high cabinets, or even just assist with forward transfers.
Controls
Renowned R-Net controls come as standard, and we strongly recommend upgrading to the high-definition LCD joystick with a high quality display screen for clear control of your powerchair, as well as memorising your favourite seating positions. This highly customisable control system will be individually programmed by our specialists to match your requirements, with personalised seating functions and drive profiles.
Permobil powerchairs are the ideal base for those with special control requirements, with numerous options available - such as chin or head controls, or switch boxes for quick access to seat functions. Bluetooth and Infrared allow you to digitally interact with your environment, whether that be operating your TV, linking with a tablet or controlling remote doors and lights.
Appearance
Permobil have long set the standard for sleek and stylish powerchairs, and the M3 is an exemplar of its class. With a clean matt black appearance, your choice of accent colours, plus two upholstery finishes, you can personalise your chair to ensure it turns heads. It's no surprise that other manufacturers are starting to style their chairs in a similar way to Permobil - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
The M3 and Corpus seating system have a clean design, with adjustments, actuators and cabling hidden discreetly away. Notably, Permobil provide photos of the rear view of their powerchairs - some other manufacturers don't as they're cluttered with cables and bolts!
Our Verdict
Permobil products have a somewhat undeserved reputation for being expensive, yet when compared to similarly pitched competitors' products such as the Quickie Q500M and TDX SP2 NB, the M3 is very close in price whilst offering much more.
We can't recommend the Corpus system highly enough - its versatility allows it to always provide you with the comfort and fit you require. Beyond that, it has powered seating options that are only found on the competitors' top-level (and significantly more expensive) products. Even then, the Corpus seat offers features like the Active Reach anterior tilt that aren't available elsewhere.
If you're looking for a versatile powerchair to use throughout the day, wherever you go, the M3 is well-worth considering.