Why does the passenger Seat go back farther than drivers??

[mnext02]

I was sitting in my smart Pure the other day and i noticed my passenger seat sits a little bit farther back than my drivers seat. So I tried to move my drivers seat back and it wouldnt go any farther. Then I looked at the bottom of the seats and it looks like the passenger side is actually mounted an inch or two farther back. I am 6'3 and could use any extra room I can get. This seems strange. Anyone else notice this?
Thanks

[SunDiego]

To offset the drivers and passengers shoulders for larger people, I believe.

[JPaul]

Yes, more elbow room...

[johnssc]

Look at the passenger footwell.

The battery and the compressor/refill kit live there so there is probably less room than you think (although I have not measured it). The passenger seat likely can move further back to give the same amount of legroom as the driver gets.

I am 6' 1" have no issues on the driver's side. The seat has a good bit to go before it reaches the rear stop.

[Evilution]

Actually, that offset chair design has been there even in the 450 prototypes to decrease body collision during a heavy side impact.

[mnext02]

Hmmmm. Ok

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by johnssc

Look at the passenger footwell.

The battery and the compressor/refill kit live there so there is probably less room than you think (although I have not measured it). The passenger seat likely can move further back to give the same amount of legroom as the driver gets.

yes, there is less foot room for the passenger at "equal" seat settings.

[JyveAFK]

Originally Posted by Evilution

Actually, that offset chair design has been there even in the 450 prototypes to decrease body collision during a heavy side impact.

AH! I thought it was just a design decision to get the car thinner without bumping shoulders, I never thought about the safety issues that this would help with. VERY clever engineering.

[MichaelJ]

Additionally, with the passenger set back a bit, it gives the driver a better view out the right side of the car.

[JPaul]

And the driver will be first to arrive at the destination...