David L Slaughter

US Patent:

55539092, Sep 10, 1996

Filed:

Feb 28, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/399359

Inventors:

Bruno Sacco - Sindelfingen, DE
Johann Tomforde - Sindelfingen, DE
Anton Reichel - Ditzinger, DE
Gerhard Steinle - New Port Beach CA
Berthold Klein - Rutesheim, DE
David Slaughter - San Diego CA
Mike Ma - Rosemead CA

Assignee:

Mercedes-Benz AG - Stuttgart

International Classification:

B60N 200

US Classification:

296185

Abstract:

A small two-seater car, which has a driver seat and a passenger seat disposed laterally adjacent one another and in facing relationship to an asymmetric dashboard. The passenger seat is arranged to be longitudinally offset to the rear with respect to the driver seat located beside it, by up to half the depth of a seat cushion. The dashboard arranged in front of the seats extends back with its side which is directed towards the seat in its passenger-side region to such an extent that the distance between the dashboard and the seat front edge is approximately the same for the driver seat and the passenger seat. In the region of a rear axle, outer frame side members extend, in a bent-off section, up to at least the level of a tire upper edge, such that at least the passenger seat is protected with respect to side impact forces. The bodywork of the vehicle has virtually no overhang beyond the rear wheels, with the result that, in the event of a rear impact, the rear axle is used to absorb impact forces before more pronounced intrusion to the rear takes place.