Ask the Best and Brightest: Is Three a Crowd?
Daimler’s mob have filed a patent with the IPO re: a three-seater smart [ download German language pdf here]. CNET connects the [dipping] dots: “Obviously drawing inspiration from the McLaren F1 supercar, the rumored Smart will feature a 1+2 layout with a centrally positioned driver’s seat flanked by two passenger seats mounted slightly behind. To facilitate easy entrance and egress, the driver’s seat looks like it should be able to rotate slightly and slide on rails toward the door. Also, depicted in the patent drawings is a trick fold-flat pedal, which should clear the footwell when seats start sliding.” Yes, well, who wants a three-seater anything? McLaren amusement park ride or not (anyone remember the UK accident where a test drive turned fatal?), are we looking at TWO backseat drivers?
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Pininfarina patented the exact same seating arrangement in the mid-1960s. The Daimler (by the way, whatever happened to Benz?) patent is concerned with certain safety features in a car using this layout.
Since we only have one car, we need to be able to get groceries and pick up a couple of people and 2 suitcases from the airport. So this thing, no matter how 'smart,' still doesn't have the cargo space I need. But my '78 Fiesta did...
Tosh: ...‘78 Fiesta ... It was a splenid little car wasn't it!