Visibility Out The Wind Screen/windshield

[ABC123]

Friends, the headroom spec for the driver seems generous, yet I'm concerned that the shape of the roof along with what appears to be a 2" black band going around the windshield will make visibility difficult for really tall drivers or those who sit rather upright. If you have to tip your head forward to look out, that could make driving uncomfortable. The headroom was designed for a 7' driver. Would those who've sat in the cab care to comment? -/Mark

 

[Coss]

Friends, the headroom spec for the driver seems generous, yet I'm concerned that the shape of the roof along with what appears to be a 2" black band going around the windshield will make visibility difficult for really tall drivers or those who sit rather upright. If you have to tip your head forward to look out, that could make driving uncomfortable. The headroom was designed for a 7' driver. Would those who've sat in the cab care to comment? -/Mark

I'm 6' tall and saw forward just as any normal car; about 4" to 6" over the top of the wheel. the top of the windshield was never even mentioned by people that were 6'5" to 6'10" in any review that I've ever seen.
Now when I had my Magnum, I did have a hard time seeing traffic lights if I was first in line; they are big cars, but the sight lines were really bad in some spots. Even though it looks small on the outside, there is a lot of driver space in it.
The Elio is not that small of a vehicle; if you go to the EM site/media/Gallery they have pictures of it next to a Caddy CTX, a Civic and a couple of others.

 

[wizard of ahs]

I'm 6'4" and had no trouble seeing out of the P4 or P5

 

[Kuda]

I'm 6' tall and saw forward just as any normal car; about 4" to 6" over the top of the wheel. the top of the windshield was never even mentioned by people that were 6'5" to 6'10" in any review that I've ever seen.
Now when I had my Magnum, I did have a hard time seeing traffic lights if I was first in line; they are big cars, but the sight lines were really bad in some spots. Even though it looks small on the outside, there is a lot of driver space in it.
The Elio is not that small of a vehicle; if you go to the EM site/media/Gallery they have pictures of it next to a Caddy CTX, a Civic and a couple of others.

I can't understand the obsession with size.....Elio is continuously regarded
as a 'small' car. First it isn't a car and it certainly isn't small. Must have something
to do with hands................

 

[Coss]

I was just watching a video that Booboo posted; I think the thread was titled Guns, Elio's and Jerome.
Jerome was talking about the P4 and in the first 90 seconds he mentions " the Elio is designed for a driver up to 7' tall"

ABC123 does that answer your question?

 

[ABC123]

Thanks, Coss. I mentioned in my original post, and you confirmed, the 7' design parameter. I found a post that had pictures and videos from the LA auto show. While I was looking for the location of the oil filter, there were pictures of a couple different drivers sitting in the cab. It looks like there is enough headroom as well as visibility with the current windscreen. My FIL and I are the same height, yet he does not need the same amount of headroom as me, so fitting is important, as well as comfort. I love the amount of headroom in a Honda Element. -/Mark

 

[Coss]

Thanks, Coss. I mentioned in my original post, and you confirmed, the 7' design parameter. I found a post that had pictures and videos from the LA auto show. While I was looking for the location of the oil filter, there were pictures of a couple different drivers sitting in the cab. It looks like there is enough headroom as well as visibility with the current windscreen. My FIL and I are the same height, yet he does not need the same amount of headroom as me, so fitting is important, as well as comfort. I love the amount of headroom in a Honda Element. -/Mark

Your FIL? And you never said (I don't remember anyone asking) are you 7' tall by some chance?

 

[Karnaj]

Your FIL? And you never said (I don't remember anyone asking) are you 7' tall by some chance?

I'm assuming Father In Law...

 

[ABC123]

I'm only 6'2" but for some reason, find headroom to be particularly lacking in most cars. Even with the seat all the way down, I find that with the seat back in an upright rather than reclined position more comfortable, and my hair tickles the roof liner (often reduced in height because of a sun roof). I'm hoping that no sunroof helps. When you sit this 'tall' in the seat, the downward slope of many car roofs coupled with a sun visor cause me to have to shrug down a bit to see out to top of the windscreen. I agree with others that I will have no problem viewing the brake lights of the car in front of me, but viewing overhead traffic lights can be a pain.

confirmed FIL = father-in-law (and we do get along)

 

[Lynn D]

Traffic light issue may be solved with a periscope type device (prism) that redirects the angle of view when attached to the top of the windshield inside.

http://www.lightinsight.com/work.aspx