Why the ignition is between the seats?

[cubefx]

After owning the smart for almost a year and half I just realized why the ignition lock is located between the seats. I was driving today with my friend in his old SAAB 900 and noticed that the key is located in the same area as in our smarts. He said that the reason why the key is there, so if you crash, you will not break your knees on the key and ignition lock when your body slides forward. Makes sense IMHO. What do you think?


CUBE

[chobocobo]

I always thought they just did it to look cool. I can see what your saying tho maybe that is why they did it.

[John_H]

I also thought it was to simplify the collapsible steering column.

[wahi]

I thought it was due to the location of the engine.

[Neonspinnazz]

I thought cars from Europe generally had center ignitions.

That and I think it helps simplify the steering column also.

[broberts]

I thought it was to "confuse a potential thief"! I have (more than once) given the key to a friend for a test drive and they could not locate where to pout the key.

Bill

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by cubefx

Why the ignition is between the seats?

Because it would have been too inconvenient to place on the rear of the car, over the license plate, near the wind-up key!

[chobocobo]

Originally Posted by Big Panda

Because it would have been too inconvenient to place on the rear of the car, over the license plate, near the wind-up key!

lol

[orngandblack]

I thought............wait, I never gave it any thought.

[Kermit]

I figured it made it more cost effective for using less parts to make it a left hand drive or right hand drive. Less parts = less money. On the column they'd have to switch things around, on the dash they'd also have to switch things around. More engineering, more parts to keep in the parts bin, more money smart has to spend and less profit.

Think of Toyota's center mounted speedo pods. Same reason.

That's why I think it is in the center.