[Guna]

3 in the front is possible (after shifting the gear stick to elsewhere of course) but they all cannot be in the same line. Since the shoulder is what takes the maximum width, the middle seat has to be offset (towards back). But this is going to affect the leg room of the person sitting in the (middle) rear seat.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by Guna

3 in the front is possible (after shifting the gear stick to elsewhere of course)

Also shifting the handbrakes to a different location is troublesome.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by saket77

Also shifting the handbrakes to a different location is troublesome.

Should not be so much of a problem. cars like Go, Enjoy etc already ave then on the dash.

[arunphilip]

Originally Posted by Arch-Angel

On a funny note, we had a trip long back, where three of us including the driver were sitting in the front and my cousin had his legs on either sides of the gear lever. My cousin who was sitting in the rear exclaimed to the driver and asked him to be careful not to shift the wrong gear .

OT, but under the circumstances he was in, I'd wonder why your cousin *has* a gear

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by yogibear007

So should we have vehicles driving sideways rather than up front?

We already do. The back seats of Gypsy and many Jeeps (3rd row of SUVs) are facing sideways so in effect, their bodies are moving sideways in relation to the direction they are facing.

Also, who’s stopping you from asking for four seats rather than three ones you get a model with three proper sits in the front?

And & whats stopping you from 5?

The question posed is that if 3 can sit in the back seat, why not in the front. Relocate components and accomodate a 3rd ....given that its already been done in the 70s with Fiat & Amby.

[amitoj]

I think OP has a point.
Many pick up trucks in US come with bench seats at the front to seat 3 people. The gear shift lever is mounted on the steering column and the handbrake is below the dashboard.
Here is a pic of a 2010 Chevvy Silverado

[norhog]

Please see post no 29 last part regarding chassis stiffness.
Can some one dealing with body torsional rigidity and its design factors chip in on that point.
Placement of HVAC, hand brake etc can be taken care of and has been done in some car models in the past.
This stiffening bit can push up costs and complexity of manufacturing process.
Cheers

[theMAG]

I think its primarily to do with:

1. Driver ergonomics (and upstream engineering implications)
2. Passenger ergonomics

in that order.

[KiloAlpha]

The Honda FRV mini MPV was a 3+3, just like the FIAT Multipla.

Image courtesy http://www.mpgomatic.com/honda_fr-v_diesel.html

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by norhog

Please see post no 29 last part regarding chassis stiffness.
Can some one dealing with body torsional rigidity and its design factors chip in on that point.
Placement of HVAC, hand brake etc can be taken care of and has been done in some car models in the past.
This stiffening bit can push up costs and complexity of manufacturing process.
Cheers

Chassis stiffness is a non-issue. Widening will have minimal effect on it

But the point is...if you can fit 3 in the back seat, then you can squeeze 3 in the front. SAME width

Originally Posted by amitoj

I think OP has a point.
Many pick up trucks in US come with bench seats at the front to seat 3 people. The gear shift lever is mounted on the steering column and the handbrake is below the dashboard.
Here is a pic of a 2010 Chevvy Silverado

Are they officially calling it a 6 seater?...is it crash tested as such

The center seat doesn't have an head-rest or 3 point. (unlike FRV & Multipla)

[Sutripta]

^^^
What about airbags?

Drivers shouldn't be squeezed.

Another thing I'm thinking of is the packaging of the cat.

Regards
Sutripta

[Recallers]

why not replace seats with benches then? it would provide more space and would help to cut costs! [sarcasm]
adding an extra seat in the front would prove to be something undesirable both for the driver and for the passenger. it would not only hamper visibility but also take the safety of the passenger for a ride. long gone are the days of the ambi, no point in talking about it's outlay.
Note: public outrage not intended!

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Mpower

Are they officially calling it a 6 seater?...is it crash tested as such

The center seat doesn't have an head-rest or 3 point. (unlike FRV & Multipla)

Yes. Their website lists it as a six seater. I did a quick comparo on edmunds.com between Chevvy Silverado, Ford F150, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra. They are all listed as 6 seaters. Here is the link (not sure whether it will work though)
Comparison

Pickup trucks dont generally fare well on crash test ratings anyway.

[norhog]

Originally Posted by Guna

3 in the front is possible (after shifting the gear stick to elsewhere of course) but they all cannot be in the same line. Since the shoulder is what takes the maximum width, the middle seat has to be offset (towards back). But this is going to affect the leg room of the person sitting in the (middle) rear seat.

Yes you are right Mr Guna, , in that case the corresponding rear seat can be similarly offset behind. This will cause a little reduction in the cargo area but I think its better than a person sitting on the third row with his head only inches from rear wind screen.

Also as per concerns of safety aspects please see the air bag design which will protect the middle passenger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7csBqVEauVk

[saket77]

Originally Posted by Recallers

why not replace seats with benches then? it would provide more space and would help to cut costs! [sarcasm]

You loose the independent and easy sliding & reclining luxury.

Also, since most cars are family hatchbacks or sedans, so without compromising too much on luxury, they seat five, which is generous enough for most families I guess.

On a lighter note, most people may not prefer a third passenger between their wife/ girlfriend; neither a vacant seat in between