Permobil · mid-wheel drive powerchair
Used Permobil M3 Corpus
The Permobil M3 Corpus is a mid-wheel drive powerchair with a compact base, made to order for its first user. It turns in a 1120 mm circle and carries up to 150 kg. Depending on the chair, its top speed is 6, 8 or 10 km/h, and some have a powered seat lift, tilt and recline. Permobil made it for people limited to a seated position, with a base small enough for tight spaces.
At a glance
Up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph)
Top speed
Up to 25 km
Range
150 kg
Maximum user weight
650 to 790 mm
Width (with the seat)
In stock now
None in stock at the moment.
Specification
Manufacturer's figures.
| Driving | |
|---|---|
| Drive | Mid-wheel drive |
| Top speed | 6, 8 or 10 km/h (3.7, about 5 or 6.2 mph), depending on the chair |
| Range | Up to 25 km (15.5 miles) at a battery temperature of 25°C, say Permobil's user manuals (29 km, or 18 miles, in the later manuals' specification tables and the product data; 30 to 40 km on the 2023 data sheet, depending on the batteries; maker's figures) |
| Maximum kerb climb | 50 mm from a standstill (75 mm with a 50 cm run-up) |
| Maximum safe slope | 6°: Permobil say take care on slopes steeper than 6° and never drive on slopes steeper than 7.5° |
| Ground clearance | 80 mm (Permobil say a car lock fitted to the chair affects it) |
| Turning circle | 1120 mm |
| Suspension | Yes (Permobil's Smooth suspension) |
| Wheels | 3.00-8 drive wheels with air-filled or puncture-proof (solid or foam-filled) tyres; solid castors |
| Electronics | R-net or Permobil's Power Platform, depending on the chair |
| Lights | LED lights: on some chairs |
| Batteries | |
| Batteries | 2 × 12 V lead acid: 65Ah (group 34) or 85Ah (group 24), depending on the chair |
| Charging | Through the socket at the front of the joystick, with a Permobil charger (the first manual says those chairs can also be charged at the base); it cannot be driven while it charges |
| Seat | |
| Seat width | 420 to 570 mm, depending on the chair |
| Seat depth | 370 to 570 mm, depending on the chair |
| Seat height (without the cushion) | 450 mm; up to 750 mm on chairs with Active Height |
| Powered seat lift (Active Height) | On some chairs: up to 300 mm, and it drives at up to 5 km/h fully raised |
| Forward tilt (Active Reach) | On some chairs: 5° to 20° (20° needs the VS legrest) |
| Powered tilt | On some chairs: up to 50° back |
| Backrest | Powered (85° to 180°) or manual (90° to 135°), depending on the chair |
| Legrests | Powered or manual (90° to 180°), depending on the chair |
| Size and weight | |
| Width | 650 to 790 mm with the seat (the base is 615 mm, says Permobil's data sheet) |
| Length | 1016 mm, say Permobil's manuals and product data (their data sheet gives 1080 mm as the longest, with the seat) |
| Height | 960 to 1170 mm |
| Smallest for transport | 855 mm long and 823 mm high (the data sheet says 825 mm high with the backrest folded) |
| Weight | 176 kg with batteries, say Permobil's manuals and product data (with 65Ah batteries, says their data sheet); their web page gives 173.0 / 185.6 kg without saying which batteries |
| Heaviest part | The backrest, 7.5 kg |
| Maximum user weight | 150 kg (23 st 8 lb); Permobil say it can vary with how the chair is set up, and it is 136 kg (21 st 5 lb) on a Dahl docking station |
| Travel | |
| Seated travel in a vehicle | Yes, facing forward, secured at its four tie-down points or on a docking station (ISO 7176-19, say the manuals for model versions 2 and 3 and the product data); Permobil recommend moving to a vehicle seat whenever you can |
| Air travel | Permobil say gel batteries usually do not have to be removed; check with your airline |
Before you buy a used M3 Corpus
How fast does the M3 Corpus go, and how far?
Its top speed is 6, 8 or 10 km/h (3.7, about 5 or 6.2 mph), depending on the chair. Permobil's manuals give a range of about 25 km (15.5 miles) at a battery temperature of 25°C; the later manuals' specification tables say 29 km (18 miles), and their 2023 data sheet says 30 to 40 km, depending on the batteries. Those are the maker's figures: hills, rough ground, cold weather and older batteries all shorten it.
What is the maximum user weight?
150 kg (23 st 8 lb), including anything you carry. Permobil say it can vary with how the chair is set up, and the limit is 136 kg (21 st 5 lb) when the chair is secured on a Dahl docking station in a vehicle.
Will it fit round my home?
It is 650 to 790 mm wide with the seat and 1016 mm long, and it turns in a 1120 mm circle. Permobil say its compact base suits tight spaces.
What can it climb?
Obstacles up to 50 mm from a standstill, or 75 mm with a 50 cm run-up; always drive at them straight on. Permobil say to take care on slopes steeper than 6° and never to drive on slopes steeper than 7.5°. Ground clearance is 80 mm.
Can I travel in a vehicle sitting in it?
Yes, in a vehicle made to carry wheelchairs. Permobil's later manuals and product data say it meets ISO 7176-19, so the user can stay seated in it facing forward, with the chair secured at its four tie-down points or on a docking station and the vehicle's lap and shoulder belts worn. Permobil recommend moving to a vehicle seat whenever you can. It weighs 176 kg with 65Ah batteries, and the backrest folds down or comes off to make it smaller.
Is the M3 Corpus right for you?
Tell us how you’ll use it and we’ll say honestly if another model fits better.