Why did Lotus design the Passenger Seat to not adjust? - LotusTalk

Trendy Exige · 10-19-2008, 04:11 AM

I find it rather annoying that the passenger seats cannot be adjusted forward/back the same way as the driver side. The trajectory of how the passenger airbag is deployed pending on a specific distance could a possible safety concern why the seating position is fixed. Thats understandable, but you can always adjust the seat all the way back when the passenger is in the car and still allow having the option to slide the seat back and forth when the passenger seat is not occupied.

At the moment, I'm seriously thinking about buying the sliders that goes on the left hand driver seat rails and put them on the passenger side. The passenger seat rails are also bolted down using a different bolt than the driver side. I personally find it much easier to remove the driver seats since ratchet tools are much comfortable to use in tight spaces, especially when trying to loosening the over torqued bolts.

Any warnings or possible negative impacts for doing so? If there are any reason why I should not do this, please don't hesitate to explain.

brooksfletcher · 10-19-2008, 04:18 AM

Although ive only test drove an elise and never sat in the passenger seat. Would it be easier to get an entire drivers seat with sliders and bolt it in. or does the passenger seat fit on the driver side sliders? Just a thougt.

gogogo · 10-19-2008, 04:32 AM

My car is RHD, 111R.
No airbags here and still the passenger seat is non adjustable.
I think its for weight saving purpose.

habendanio · 10-19-2008, 04:46 AM

because the drivers seat is toward the center and the passenger seat has no room to travel without hitting the sills

kestrel74 · 10-19-2008, 04:50 AM

All the passengers have to do is hold on.

RacyTracy · 10-19-2008, 05:14 AM

Are you saying you want to be able to move the passenger seat forward when there is no passenger? Just being nosy.....but why?

Aedo · 10-19-2008, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacyTracy

Are you saying you want to be able to move the passenger seat forward when there is no passenger? Just being nosy.....but why?

I can only imagine for storage space

But as habendanio has pointed out the seats are not mounted symetrically and as such there is no room for the passenger seat to move.

RacyTracy · 10-19-2008, 05:29 AM

C'mon, somebody say 'So the person in back can see the TV in the headrest easier'.....Oh wait, I just did.

Too bad they didn't make the seat tip forward for rear-panel access and getting chnge out from under the seat easier. But in the name of weight-saving.......every ounce counts.

The early Porsche 914 passenger seat was fixed also.

brooksfletcher · 10-19-2008, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacyTracy

C'mon, somebody say 'So the person in back can see the TV in the headrest easier'.....

I was gonna say so the passenger can have a better view of the engine in action

Lotusmotion · 10-19-2008, 07:42 AM

"Why did Lotus design the Passenger Seat to not adjust?"

Most likely for weight savings, simplicity of design, cost control, and utility.

The passenger really has nothing to adjust for...no occupant in the back seat to make room for, and no control pedals to reach.

TimMullen · 10-19-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trendy Exige

At the moment, I'm seriously thinking about buying the sliders that goes on the left hand driver seat rails and put them on the passenger side.

Save your money - you can't use them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotusmotion

Most likely for weight savings, simplicity of design, cost control, and utility

Nothing to do with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by habendanio

because the drivers seat is toward the center and the passenger seat has no room to travel without hitting the sills

Bingo, give the man a cigar. If you look carefully at the seats and their mountings, you will notice that there are two set of mounting holes - one set for LHD cars, and one for RHD cars. As pointed out, the seats are shifted to the right on LHD cars. The passenger side is close to the side sills. The side sills curve in slightly just ahead of the seats, and if you were to move the passenger seat forward, it would almost immediately hit the side sill preventing it from sliding forward. I'm not sure that the sliders could even fit, but if you did fit them, the seat would be prevented from sliding forward by the side sill.

By the way, not only are the seats are shifted to the right, but the rear view mirror is not centered - it's shifted slightly to the right.

Cardinal · 10-19-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habendanio

because the drivers seat is toward the center and the passenger seat has no room to travel without hitting the sills

Hooray, you win the thread.

khamai · 10-19-2008, 10:24 AM

Sliding rails would fit, but the seat would virtually have no ability to slide (as others have correctly pointed out).

This question has some history. It was asked shortly after the cars started getting to customers in mid-2004 and the factory response was "Yes, but it won't slide."

Cheers,
Kiyoshi

CertifiedCC · 10-19-2008, 11:11 AM

who here has actually SAT in the passenger seat??

jlj3394 · 10-19-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CertifiedCC

who here has actually SAT in the passenger seat??

I got to sit there when the wife exercises her turn to drive.

I actually like that it is fixed as there is really no reason for it to move. Saves weight, costs, and complexity.

Bavarian Motorist · 10-19-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacyTracy

Are you saying you want to be able to move the passenger seat forward when there is no passenger? Just being nosy.....but why?

Because crap gets stuck under there and you can't get it out unless you have really tiny hands...

My wallet was stuck under the back side of the passenger seat once. That was not fun.

Trendy Exige · 10-19-2008, 04:15 PM

I just measured it and realized that the the seat rail brackets are closer together on the passenger seat than the driver seat.

The difference is the equivalent distance where the two set of mounting holes are.

What about making sliders for the brackets that hold the passenger seat? Any Lotus engineers want to come up with that? If you make it, I will buy it! (as long its reasonably priced)

I've seen so many people designing clever tools that make our Lotus more enjoyable to work on.

Anyone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

If you look carefully at the seats and their mountings, you will notice that there are two set of mounting holes - one set for LHD cars, and one for RHD cars. As pointed out, the seats are shifted to the right on LHD cars. The passenger side is close to the side sills. The side sills curve in slightly just ahead of the seats, and if you were to move the passenger seat forward, it would almost immediately hit the side sill preventing it from sliding forward. I'm not sure that the sliders could even fit, but if you did fit them, the seat would be prevented from sliding forward by the side sill.

By the way, not only are the seats are shifted to the right, but the rear view mirror is not centered - it's shifted slightly to the right.

RacyTracy · 10-19-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

Because crap gets stuck under there and you can't get it out unless you have really tiny hands...

Yeah, I had to use duct tape on a stick several times......

Gizmo3000 · 10-19-2008, 08:32 PM

I totally get why the passenger seat is fixed
(one less thing to break as well!)

tho while it makes complete sense for so many reasons.
- it still kinda wish it could slide forward a tad.
I'm a short guy (5'5"), so I have to move the seat up a fair amount so I can reach the pedals while driving.
The result is that I'm sitting further up then my passenger. not side by side.
Even when the car is sitting still and I'm not in it, the seats look off kilter.
if I could slide the passenger seat forward, I would!

BatmobileS240 · 10-19-2008, 08:42 PM

Because the fire extinguisher is in the way (for those that have one).

10-19-2008, 04:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Trendy Exige Exige Prestige Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Where the CARB regulation is your enemy Posts: 573	Why did Lotus design the Passenger Seat to not adjust? I find it rather annoying that the passenger seats cannot be adjusted forward/back the same way as the driver side. The trajectory of how the passenger airbag is deployed pending on a specific distance could a possible safety concern why the seating position is fixed. Thats understandable, but you can always adjust the seat all the way back when the passenger is in the car and still allow having the option to slide the seat back and forth when the passenger seat is not occupied. At the moment, I'm seriously thinking about buying the sliders that goes on the left hand driver seat rails and put them on the passenger side. The passenger seat rails are also bolted down using a different bolt than the driver side. I personally find it much easier to remove the driver seats since ratchet tools are much comfortable to use in tight spaces, especially when trying to loosening the over torqued bolts. Any warnings or possible negative impacts for doing so? If there are any reason why I should not do this, please don't hesitate to explain. __________________ '07 Exige S (Storm Titanium) - Gotham 265, Arqray Titanium Double-Tip Exhaust w/ Arqray Sport Cat & Euro Grills, TWR Dry Carbon Cup Roof, LEA Dry Carbon Adjustable Wing, Prototype Composite Dry Carbon Front Spoiler, Reverie Dry Carbon Side Skirts & Dry Carbon Side Scoops, 17's Team Dynamics 1.2G Matte Black Wheels, Painted Bulkhead Panel, Painted Consoles, 6k HID w/ Raybrig JDM blinkers, Cup Car Airbox, RLS IC Pipes, Saikou Michi Catch Can, Rear Camera, Venture Shield Entire Front Clam etc. Last edited by Trendy Exige : 10-19-2008 at 04:20 AM.

10-19-2008, 04:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
gogogo rare 06 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Yokohama, Japan Posts: 84	My car is RHD, 111R. No airbags here and still the passenger seat is non adjustable. I think its for weight saving purpose. __________________ ..... 2006 JDM 111R Old English White .....

10-19-2008, 04:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
habendanio Henry Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fairfield CA Posts: 728	because the drivers seat is toward the center and the passenger seat has no room to travel without hitting the sills __________________ Henry http://www.abendanio.com/ 2005 Elise, AR, Touring, Sport, HT (RIP 10-6-08) 2005 Elise,Touring & Sports,Bordeaux Red Pearl 1986 Pontiac Fiero Gt, 1986 Toyota Pickup

10-19-2008, 04:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,268	All the passengers have to do is hold on. __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

10-19-2008, 05:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
RacyTracy V Not my picture V Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 9,074	Are you saying you want to be able to move the passenger seat forward when there is no passenger? Just being nosy.....but why? __________________ Tracy 1996 Porsche 993TT 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser LOG 29 photos

10-19-2008, 04:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
brooksfletcher Corners Like A House Fly Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kuwait, Alaska and California Posts: 107	Although ive only test drove an elise and never sat in the passenger seat. Would it be easier to get an entire drivers seat with sliders and bolt it in. or does the passenger seat fit on the driver side sliders? Just a thougt.

10-19-2008, 05:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
RacyTracy V Not my picture V Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 9,074	C'mon, somebody say 'So the person in back can see the TV in the headrest easier'.....Oh wait, I just did. Too bad they didn't make the seat tip forward for rear-panel access and getting chnge out from under the seat easier. But in the name of weight-saving.......every ounce counts. The early Porsche 914 passenger seat was fixed also. __________________ Tracy 1996 Porsche 993TT 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser LOG 29 photos

10-19-2008, 07:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
Lotusmotion Keep it simple and real Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 925	"Why did Lotus design the Passenger Seat to not adjust?" Most likely for weight savings, simplicity of design, cost control, and utility. The passenger really has nothing to adjust for...no occupant in the back seat to make room for, and no control pedals to reach. __________________ '06 Exige - Ph. Black/Touring/Track/LSD/TC/SS. Mods: corner balanced - RTD brace - Manly's inserts - decambered - Pagid Blacks - Motul fluid - tow hooks - Schroth belts - extinguisher - AIM timer - Green Filter - Larini - oil temp & pressure gauges - AO48s & Rotas on track - T1Rs & OEM wheels on street - rear camera & monitor - Stebel horn - speakers upgraded, sub & iPod controller - DRL disable switch - aux. fuse panel - sill pockets - leather console - Bootie - roof scoop functional.

10-19-2008, 10:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
khamai Plain ol' Lotus-nut Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 3,559	Sliding rails would fit, but the seat would virtually have no ability to slide (as others have correctly pointed out). This question has some history. It was asked shortly after the cars started getting to customers in mid-2004 and the factory response was "Yes, but it won't slide." Cheers, Kiyoshi __________________ life is better behind the wheel of a Lotus...

10-19-2008, 11:11 AM	#14 (permalink)
CertifiedCC BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern VA [The BEST Part of VA.(Sadly)] Posts: 875 Images: 4	who here has actually SAT in the passenger seat??

10-19-2008, 08:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
Gizmo3000 Register Abuser Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sherman Oaks Posts: 962	I totally get why the passenger seat is fixed (one less thing to break as well!) tho while it makes complete sense for so many reasons. - it still kinda wish it could slide forward a tad. I'm a short guy (5'5"), so I have to move the seat up a fair amount so I can reach the pedals while driving. The result is that I'm sitting further up then my passenger. not side by side. Even when the car is sitting still and I'm not in it, the seats look off kilter. if I could slide the passenger seat forward, I would! __________________ 2005 Starlight Black Elise, -hardtop/touring/black interior/sector111 carpet buttons! 1991 300ZX 2+2 1974 MGB Roadster

10-19-2008, 08:42 PM	#20 (permalink)
BatmobileS240 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 553	Because the fire extinguisher is in the way (for those that have one).

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