Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave
A seating position that is nearly bolt-upright is far more comfortable than a semi-reclined seating position.
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Yup. In general the transmission of NVH -- and road shock -- is less noticeable to pax with an upright position versus a semi-reclining one. I can say that my "personal preference" is for the latter but one need only test it on a long day behind the wheel I've learned.
The perception of ride quality is at least as important as it's measured qualities. Or so I read some time ago about the shortened wheelbase of luxury cars versus their predecessors; that the closer one is to the front wheels, the better an upright position is. (Maybe it was Cumberford). It certainly matches my experience: the front axle center at 6' away is a better ride than at 3.5' from the seatback or B-pillar of a sedan.
As to tall versus low a mid-fifties Imperial was "more comfortable" for seating height (taller) and greater headroom (accommodated hats) than was it's mid-60's successor, even though the latter has a similar wheelbase, weight and better design in re aero, roadholding (more work with less effort) and drivetrain, etc. The greatest subjective change beyond seating was in glass area ratio. Ingress & egress was similarly better beyond a door width comparison.
I recall Cumberfords example of a 1997 Ford F-150 cab being given a trunk in order to form the body of a car as being a decent example of both aero and practical use for a sedan. Too low is no better than too tall (4wd trucks) for many people. A tall sedan makes sense to me.
There are
good reasons SUV's & pickups are popular when one looks at them in this way. It isn't just overall size & weight, or, the
bad reasons. I would also want it to be able to tow a 7k trailer. If one looks at the need of an extended family for a car versus a driveway full of "personal vehicles" then a sedan of the sort described above trumps the air-conditioned go-karts in all ways.
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