Offset driving position

fricatus

Hi all,

I heard recently that certain cars (e.g. the Merc E-Class) have an "offset driving position", which I take to mean that the seat, steering wheel and pedals are not all in a straight line.

I would have thought that the most logical thing would be to have all these bits in a straight line, and that especially on a premium car like the E-Class, things would be done "correctly".

Obviously they've thought about this though, and are happy to go with that. Has anyone here got any experience of driving a car with an offset driving position? What were your thoughts? Did it make any difference, good or bad? Did you even notice?

Zubeneschamali

fricatus wrote: »

Has anyone here got any experience of driving a car with an offset driving position?

The Clio was always said to have offset pedals in reviews, but I drove one for years without any issues.

Anan1

It depends how offset. A bit is fine, but I have driven cars where I felt a bit twisted.

Nissan doctor

I remember driving an old alfa years ago(alfa33 I think maybe) and it was nearly like driving from the passanger seat!!:D Steering wheel was way off line with the seat.

peasant

In some cars it's the RHD version that suffers particularly from this ....designed as an afterthought and all of a sudden something behind the dashboard is in the way and they have to squeeze things in

Max_Damage

The Vauxhall Nova had the pedals offset to the seat. Made for awkward long distance driving, or so I'm told.

colm_mcm

It's usually European cars that suffer, 206, clio, e46 e series, all designed mainly for lhd markets, the wheel arches intrude. USually means there's little room for your left leg and the pedals are offset.