2006-06-07 10:41:59 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
If thought about that before. I just figure the drive doesn't want to sit on the hump-LOL!
2006-06-07 10:45:36 · answer #1 · answered by A3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the steering wheel was in the middle, only one person could sit in the front seat comfortably. That would be the driver of the car. By placing the wheel, on the right, or left side of the car, the driver and a passenger, can both sit in the front of the car in complete comfort.
2006-06-07 10:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by Kipper 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question, and you'd have to get an auto engineer to confirm, but I'd suspect it's to put the driver into a position where he can better judge the relative position of oncoming traffic. By moving the driver closer to the center line (that is, to the driver's left in America, to the driver's right elsewhere), the driver can better see both the car's position relative to the middle of the road and to oncoming traffic.
2006-06-07 10:45:07 · answer #3 · answered by hogan.enterprises 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually there is a car that has the wheel in the middle and one on either side in the back, it's called the McLaren F1
2006-06-07 14:47:52 · answer #4 · answered by booboo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ford made a car which you could slide the steering wheel over to almost the middle. It was just made so you could slide it over when you got in. I think it was 1960 Thunderbird. It is more convenient on the side.
2006-06-07 10:51:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
McLaren F1 has the steering wheel in the middle and then two seats set a little further back on each side.
2006-06-07 10:44:51 · answer #6 · answered by allknowing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the engine is in the middle, the steering column has to be offset.
Also, if you are closer to the side of the car, it is easier to bail out when things go to s**t.
2006-06-07 10:59:18 · answer #7 · answered by cranksinatra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The BMW Isetta (and similar cars) have the steering wheel in the center.
2006-06-07 14:12:23 · answer #8 · answered by me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually some race cars have this or some super sports cars like the lamborghini have the steering whel in the middle
2006-06-07 10:45:57 · answer #9 · answered by Soda Pop 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has to be on the opposite side of the car, so that you can see what's happening when turning across traffic (ie turning right, when driving on the left (UK/Australia/Japan) or turning left when driving on the right (Europe/US)).
2006-06-07 10:48:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋