What do you guys think? Is it worth it to develop a front 60/40 seat and column shifter?

 

Dear GOD No.

GM is finally almost sorta starting to kinda maybe a little bit produce cars that are refined inside and out. The last thing they need to do is chuck that out the window with a bench seat.

Why don't we stick some Corinthian leather and a faux spare tire on it while we're targeting the over 100 crowd.

If you covered it in that furniture plastic you could probably get two more sales from families of six who want to take roadtrips with no danger of stains...

 

If it is going to have this huge trunk I've been hearing about then sure, but ONLY on the entry level models and ONLY as an option. It will appeal to the older buyers that will not want a Buick.

On the SS models, it should be pure performance oriented.

 

YES YES YES YES YES

Anyone who says there shouldn't has no clue of what will happen. There must be bench seat available on the base and second level trims as there is now. That is, if the new Malibu has no bench option, as I suspect it won't.

No to a 60/40 split, it has to be a 40/20/40 split as it is now also.

Buyers, here at least, demand it.

 

I think I meant that Lew, but I'm maybe alittle confused on my terminology. What's the difference again?

 

A 60/40 split would be the driver's seat and center seat as one piece that moves together.

A 40/20/40 is a driver's seat and passenger seat that move independent, with the center seat stationary.

 

I agree.

 

Why not as an option across the board?

 

So you can't have a refined interior and have a bench seat?

What about the back seat? Should all cars be four seaters, then, so the rear seat is "refined"?

I kinda see where you are coming from. My worry would be that compromises would have to be made to the dash so that it could support the bench option. But that would be more of a styling issue; it could still be very refined.

For an example, see the Caddy DTS. The center console is well integrated with the dash (complete with floor shifter) on 5 seat models. On the six seat model, the upper part of the dash would be the same, but the lower part (center console) would go away, and the shifter would go to the column. On the other hand, making it buckets-only allows the center console/dash to be more integrated (like the new SRX interior). So from that styling standpoint, I'm with you, but I still think one can have a very refined interior, even with a bench option (like the aforementioned DTS).

Like Lew said, many customers still opt for this (which kinda surprises me, actually). Like it or not, the Impala is a pretty bread and butter car. Interestingly, the new Avalon is apparently only a 5 seater. I think the previous generation had a bench option. Evidently the take rate on that layout was low enough to justify eliminating it. But the Avalon sells in significantly lowe quantities than the Impala.

 

After losing a ton of Intrigue sales to Buick between '00-'02, I'd say yeah, give 'em a bench seat a little while longer. But in 10 years, pretty much anyone who gave a **** will be dead, so at that point get rid of it

 

I agree that it should be offered..... there are still a few buyers out there who want the full bench.

The 40/20/40 split must be pretty rare..... I can't recall ever seeing such a beast (outside of a console equiped or police car where the 20 part was used for placing some of the stuff that goes into a cruiser). I have seen 60/40 and no split, however.

Can you really have a 60's inspired Impala and NOT offer a bench - that's just un-American ... I can see the Motor Trend backlash now ...........

(with bench) a curious throwback to yesteryear in a car that should have helped to re-invigorate the troubled automaker. Sadly, the performance the car offers cannot be fully enjoyed due to seriously lacking lateral support in the front seating when compared to other sedans in its category that offer only bucket seats up front...... score another one for Camry.... so much for Car of the Year honours.

(without bench) A pretty nice twist on an old American favourite, but Chevy has committed the ultimate sin and is not offering bench seating up front. As a result of such short-sightedness, the troubled automaker will continue to lose market share to the Camry and Accord.... so much for Car of the Year honours.

 

For the purpose I mentioned in my initial thread. To please those buyers that will not want the Buick, but still want a RWD vehicle with a benchseat. Meaning, older buyers.

Lets face it, Buick still carries the "old mans car" stigma and will for quite awhile.

The benchseat is more of an "older person" feature. Buyers of the Impala SS, family guys in their late 20's early 30's will not relate to a benchseat in their RWD performance oriented car. The only one their wives would let them purchase because it has enough room for the kids and the groceries.

The Impala SS should not offer a bench option on the SS. Image, image, image.

 

I'd buy a bench seat... although not if I was buying a High Performance SS - I'd want buckets then.

But I do like Bench Seats in the front... And I'm only 25.

 

LMAO! Nice to see I'm not the only one who can pretty much compose an MT article in advance.

They are so predictable, it really is amazing...

 

What's the point of a bench seat? Less lateral support? So you can put the moves on your girl at the drive-in? Ok... Manufacturers aren't going to blatantly disregard seatbelt laws for this "feature" and no kid who can fit up front in the middle belongs there because of air bags. Sorry, don't see it happening.