[Ascari]

Has anyone else noted that the A and B pillars on the S60 are quite thick and can cause a blind spot if the mirrors are not positioned properly. I really notice the difference when I go from my S70 to my wife's S60.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

quote:

Originally posted by Ascari:
Has anyone else noted that the A and B pillars on the S60 are quite thick and can cause a blind spot if the mirrors are not positioned properly. I really notice the difference when I go from my S70 to my wife's S60.

The A pillar is somewhat a bit of a "problem" (actually I am used to it by now); it is the same in the S60s, my car and any S80 I have driven. I guess we pay the penalty for the more slanted windshield, hence the less boxy and more aerodynamic look.

The B pillar is a bit thicker but not by much.

I don't think that the B pillar is a big deal whereas the A pillar takes some getting used to.

Yannis

 

[Lisa62]

I must admit that the A-pillar is a bit big, and takes some getting used to, and I think the issue is more pronounced for shorter drivers than average-height ones. Why?

Well, a person who's 5'4" needs to have the seat pretty far forward for their feet to reach the pedals. If you look closely at the angles of the A-pillar, you'll notice that the farther forward you sit, the WIDER it gets.

I'm thinking they designed it for an average-height person's sight angles ("field of veiw", or whatever it's officially called), because I noticed that when I tried scooting rearward by a few inches, the cross-section changed. I noticed that there was a point at which the A-pillar didn't seem as wide, about midway along the fore-aft travel of the driver's seat. Oh, well...they can't please everybody, I suppose!

[This message has been edited by Lisa62 (edited 07-17-2002).]

 

[daimoni]

Try driving a New Beetle.

I do agree that visibility was a problem when I test drove the S60's... so I opted for a V70 instead.

 

[NJ850N/A]

Is it because we have side curtains so we have thick A-Pillars?

 

[Lisa62]

Yes, I bet you're right. It might have to do with the side curtains.

[This message has been edited by Lisa62 (edited 07-26-2002).]

 

[S.R.]

I think the reason that they are thick is because since they are highly curvilinear in nature, they needed to beef them up to provide proper roll-over and off-set crash protection. Since the A-pillers are only used to anchor the curtain-airbags, it is most likely a structural safety issue.

-Drew

 

[Lisa62]

Good point, Drew. That's gotta be it. The windshield is very raked back, so to withstand roof-crush & rollover requirements, the A-pillars would HAVE to be thicker than on vehicles with relatively upright windshields. Either way, I got used to them being thick, and I don't notice it as much as I did when I first drove the S60.