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?
I would consider the presence of potentially stinky, wiggling feets in my peripheral vison a dangerous distraction.
Sitting in the back with your legs offset like that looks real comfortable, too.
And Citroen did this before McLaren, BTW.
This layout should be used in drivers’ education classes to condition smokers to use the ashtray and not the window.
Having sat in a McLaren F1, I have no idea why any mid or rear engine car uses any other layout. It is just plain better, awesome front view, controls right on center, no pedal offset, better side crash protection for the driver.
Since I have, and only plan to have, one kid, I’d be totally into this idea.
To quote John Lennon, life is what happens when you’re making other plans. In this case, at least potentially, literally.
“Yes, well, who wants a three-seater anything?”
Actually, more people than you might think. I would wager that a 4 seat vehicle carries 3 people far more often than it might 4. Think how many more wealthy people would buy a 2 seater sports-gt if there was room for an occassional third? I have long been curious that no mega-gt makers have offered a transverse rear seat where ordinarily there would only be a package shelf. Rich people have lots of friends.
It’s called, thinking outside the box. Although in this case, maybe “inside” is more appropriate.
BTW, think of how much more space could be created similarly in the average airline coach seating 3 person row. By moving the middle seat slightly forward of the window and aisle seats, a few more inches of precious shoulder room would be available without any widening of the cabin interior.
A Smart/Hayabusa mashup of this would be a mini-McLaren F1, although higher off the ground.
Like they said a the McLaren launch…
“It’s so you can ride with both your wife and your girlfriend at the same time!”
:)
Not certain fi it is Gordon Murray or not, but I have see a layout like this going for a patent already. It was not Daimler.
They may be late to the party, but I’m sceptical that it is patentable with the historical usage out there.
I agree that it is an interesting layout for a number of applications.
Bunter
Your Wife and your mother-in-law both able to see the speedometer.
BTW, think of how much more space could be created similarly in the average airline coach seating 3 person row. By moving the middle seat slightly forward of the window and aisle seats, a few more inches of precious shoulder room would be available without any widening of the cabin interior.
That would make entry and exit into the seats very difficult! Not much fun when it’s crash time.
However, I like any concept that could allow for more passenger capacity in the Smart. Its strict two-person limit (at least in the US) is one of the main marks against it.
Bunter1 :
August 5th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
They may be late to the party, but I’m sceptical that it is patentable with the historical usage out there.
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Also, the patent law usually forbids something “trivial” to be patented. Such as “using round wheels on a car.”
A 3-passenger car is at most a protected industrial design.
But of course, never under-estimate the ability of lawyers hired by a big company.
chaparral :
August 5th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Having sat in a McLaren F1, I have no idea why any mid or rear engine car uses any other layout. It is just plain better, awesome front view, controls right on center, no pedal offset, better side crash protection for the driver.
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To an enthusiast, you are right.
To a millionaire who is trying to impress his new mistress, a traditional two seater cannot be replaced.
Right here! I love the 3 seater layout. Would absolutely love it in a sports car. Yes, the F1 is my ultimate dream car.
I don’t think they are trying to patent the layout, just the car design. 3 seaters go way back.
http://www.nextautos.com/concept-cars/three-seats-are-a-charm-ferrari-365p-prototype-on-display-in-new-york
http://onemansblog.com/2008/09/17/every-3-seater-car-ive-ever-heard-of-or-drooled-over/
Three passenger vehicles, the constraints of a vehicle design being given, should be on the table. I like the packaging scenarios the facilitate. We need three-packs like we need six-packs (front and rear benches). There are niches for these variations.
How am I supposed to get road head in that thing? These super wide center consoles make it difficult enough as it is……sheesh.
Besides, if you’re super rich, both your supermodel girlfriends can squeeze into the passenger side of a Lamborghini anyways.
I’d love to have a center front seat. I bet it really makes you feel like you’re piloting a jet fighter. I just don’t want it in a Smart. Or rather, I don’t want a Smart. Put it in something sporty for about 20 grand. This would be perfect for the Honda CR-Z that’s coming out in a year.
Whoever was responsible for designing this never used a car to go out on a date.
This might be a workable layout for a city cab in Asia or parts of Europe. But I don’t see this one playing well in Peoria.
I like it — the concept is pretty brilliant. That said, the sexiest three-person layout is still that of the Matra Bagheera from 1973.
http://www.yclasicos.com/spa/item/resource/ART06061/DSCN2742.JPG
Sit back and enjoy the worlds most annoying Mclaren F1 delivery. I believe her name is Regatta.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2894700317215595316
Not going to fly.
Martin Schwoerer :
August 5th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I like it — the concept is pretty brilliant. That said, the sexiest three-person layout is still that of the Matra Bagheera from 1973.
http://www.yclasicos.com/spa/item/resource/ART06061/DSCN2742.JPG
Damnit… beat me to it…
Interesting idea… A good way to keep the wheelbase short while still making it bigger than the ForTwo.
One wonders, however, if the TakesThree will be any match, saleswise, for the ForFour. I’d rather SMART build a FitsFive, while they’re at it, but Honda already did that one.
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!