The 850 cockpit is a work of art

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Jun 2013, 00:34

It should be in MOMA, or the Guggenheim.

It's simple and laid out well. The controls and their distance from the driver are perfect, IMHO. Tactile response, nighttime vision, and switch durability are all excellent. My 850's stock steering wheel is beautiful.

The art exhibit should include the seat, so people can sit in it and understand the beauty and comfort of the front seats.

I just got out of my 850, and I had to praise this here after really looking and using the controls while I was driving, and waiting at stoplights.

Post by **Ben850** » 26 Jun 2013, 05:22

The art exhibit should include the seat, so people can sit in it and understand the beauty and comfort of the front seats.

The seats are so comfortable, I had to multi-purpose the passengers seat I recently removed from the wagon for use in strut surgery.

: On a 90 degree day, a little shade and comfort for the job.

Post by **JRL** » 26 Jun 2013, 05:48

I'm sorry Matt but it's not.
While of course the seats are almost as great as X-70 seats, the dash and console is an ergonomic nightmare
Think about it carefully; from the goofy, almost useless cupholder (carried over to the 70s) where if you spill your drink it will fry the window and side mirror switches right underneath, to the placement of certain dash buttons like the door lock switch on the upper left dash (what were they thinking with that!) to the sunroof switch (also carried over) on the dash, not on the headliner where all other cars have it.
At least in the X-70s they moved the locks and windows to the door where they should be and fall right in hand (but not the sunroof switch and the cupholder).

Post by **jblackburn** » 26 Jun 2013, 05:58

I've always thought the 850 steering wheel was the worst part

The S/V70 looks fantastic with wood trim and a charcoal interior. The tan one with black bits here and there is really, really ugly though.

The new Australian VW Golf or Volvo S60 interior are really pretty. Kudos to whoever designed the Golf. The S60 looks very difficult to use the infotainment stuff though.

Post by **abscate** » 26 Jun 2013, 06:51

the sunroof switch (also carried over) on the dash, not on the headliner where all other cars have it.

IMHO, Volvo is the only one to get this right. Why should a sunroof switch be overhead, when the critical controls of steering wheel and shifter are at chest level or below?

The other car makers have blindly followed tradition, IMHO.

The V70 cup holder no longer puts electronics at risk, btw.

Forum note - add car ergonomics to sex, religion, politics, oil change intervals.....

Post by **jblackburn** » 26 Jun 2013, 07:00

IMHO, Volvo is the only one to get this right. Why should a sunroof switch be overhead, when the critical controls of steering wheel and shifter are at chest level or below?

Honda puts it where the passenger can't reach it...hidden beside the driver where you have to search for it. The cruise control switch too. Bah.

Post by **precopster** » 26 Jun 2013, 07:45

I always thought the 850 dash is a bit garish with the woodgrain trims which peel their plastic coating. I have to agree with JRL on the window switch placements;whenever I drive the wife's 850 I almost run into a pole looking for the right switch. She loves her 850 though.

The first V70/S70 has really good ergos. I drive my P80 V70 '00 a lot for work and I'm always comfortable and arrive fresh at my destination (except when the a/c loses charge but that's another story)

As far as the P2 is concerned it's not a thing of beauty that big slab of a dash. I'll have to reserve judgement on the seats and ergos when I get into my XC.

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Jun 2013, 10:12

Should have added to my OP: the graphite/fake woodgrain interior with an all-black wheel in 850s is very good. It's dark, and it doesn't reflect sunlight into the driver's face. This is important in regions like Colorado where sunny days are 300+ per year. My P2 V70 was a mess in this regard. More on that interior later.

Ben850 wrote:The seats are so comfortable, I had to multi-purpose the passengers seat I recently removed from the wagon for use in strut surgery.

JRL wrote:I'm sorry Matt but it's not.
While of course the seats are almost as great as X-70 seats, the dash and console is an ergonomic nightmare
Think about it carefully; from the goofy, almost useless cupholder (carried over to the 70s) where if you spill your drink it will fry the window and side mirror switches right underneath, to the placement of certain dash buttons like the door lock switch on the upper left dash (what were they thinking with that!) to the sunroof switch (also carried over) on the dash, not on the headliner where all other cars have it.
At least in the X-70s they moved the locks and windows to the door where they should be and fall right in hand (but not the sunroof switch and the cupholder).

You drive a wider variety of cars than I do, so your point is accepted.

Three arguments:

850's window switch placement in and of itself isn't the problem vis-a-vis cupholder, the cupholder is ill-placed.
The single-failure-point of having one set of switches in the center is by definition more robust than having one on each door.
Now for the window switch placement: I think switches on the right are better ergonomically because the right hand is used for most of the other switches. My left hand is always on the wheel. My right hand has muscle memory of these switches. I agree people don't know where to go to operate their window, but after I show them, they know.

Post by **JDS60R** » 26 Jun 2013, 10:24

I agree with Matt

I work on all sorts of cars and there is something very pleasing about the 850 with the big speedo and simple gauges. I love that turbo gauge -love it !!!! Sure, I hate the light dimmer failure and the cup holder could be better placed but all in all it is beautiful and comfortable in my eyes. I love being in one.

Keep in my that a beautiful work of art isn't always an ergonomic masterpiece. Whether it be a car, or a person the beautiful ones always have an issue or two. That being said, you have to pick the one you love and try to stick with it faults and all. Hopefully we all find one we like best.

People called the Delorean design beautiful but those windows are horrible. Same with the Subaru SVX. You can find something to dislike in every car but the 850 cockpit is one of my favorites. I get into it and just say "Yes" .

Everyone's opinions are welcome- none are wrong - this was mine.

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 26 Jun 2013, 11:42

JDS60R wrote: People called the Delorean design beautiful but those windows are horrible. Same with the Subaru SVX. You can find something to dislike in every car but the 850 cockpit is one of my favorites. I get into it and just say "Yes" .

I slip into my V70 and say "PLEASE START"

.