Old Tele Man "...when you "design" for an environment, you'd assume they (the designers) would know enough about it to be able to "optimize" things to a far better level than they've done to date..."
Two problems:
1) Function follows form - Stylists beat designers every time,
2) What "environment" do you design for? - Look at the commute distance poll. There are two major groups just within the few people that have taken the poll so far. There are hose that are just a few miles away and for whom electric vehicles, bicycles, public transport etc options are viable, and those that are 45+ miles which don't have as many options.
And that doesn't even address the demographics of physique. An aluminum camp chair can work for a 100 pound person at 35 MPH, but you better have a little more structure for a 300 pound driver at 65 or 70 MPH.
Personally the only problem I have with a Jetta or Metro sized vehicle is that they try to put four seats in them. Move the steering wheel to the center and put in a Lazy-boy and I would be happier.
