Integrated child seat?
 

Does anyone remember the integrated child seat in the back of the rx-evolv?

A link with a picture of the child seat in the rx-evolv is below:

http://www.rx7uknet.dircon.co.uk/rx8dream.html

It probably won't make it to the production rx-8 but a little baby in that 5 point seat belt pictured would look pretty cool huh?

Brian

Well that would be nice. Many of us will buy the RX-8 because we do need the extra two seats. I am sure my 2-year-old boy will enjoy going for a drive in the RX-8. I hope they will make it to the production model, maybe as an option as Mazda is very much aware of safety.

before i say anything, i'd like to reiterate (as always) that i know nothing, and could be so totally wrong...

just some thoughts about child seat safety... the seat is recommended to be sized appropraitely for the child (thus a few different seats over the few years a child needs one), and especially for younger children to be facing backward (so their back is supporting them in the direction of the greatest acceleration, which'd be braking or, knock on wood, a head on collision)...

because a built in child seat is forward facing by nature, it would only be useful for much larger children, and MIGHT be a costly add-in, which would be unnecessary, considering that child seats at walmart are pretty friggin cheap (considering we're talking about LIFE OF A LITTLE PERSON...), it may simply be a better solution to ensure that there is more than enough space in the rear two seats for a rear-facing child seat and room for the other front passenger, then simply upsizing/changing the seat as your child grows (which as we all certainly know is very very fast... too damned fast... i'm still a kid and growing up, i feel like i'll be 30 tomorrow...:p)

i'm no expert, just some thoughts...

I remember it, but am keen on keeping children out of the car whereever possible. This may not be practical, as I have numerous nephews and nieces who I have helped and encouraged to become car enthusiasts. It would be unfair to exclude them when I finally get a proper performance car. I have a minivan for chidren, pretty childproof.

There might be another reason for the seat
 

I think you are very close to the real reason for the integrated seat. I too have a little one that has to sit in a seat and we've all seen the rear seats for the RX-8. Though, the seats look big enough for adults, child seats from Walmart and other retailers usually take up more space than an adult would. These safety seats are big and the RX-8 rear seats might not be big enough (due to the center transmission tunnel) to fit most of the child seats in the market. The integrated child seat might be a neccessity as an option for families with a need for them. Also, that type of seat would be able to fit children 20-80 lbs which should fit all children too big for the rear facing seats and too small for unboosted seats.

Just a thought.

Yes, different age groups require different seats. But remember, the child will require an infant seat for a shorter time than they will require a child's seat, which is the type that the integrated seat is meant to be.

The point isn't a matter of the cheapest, it is of convenience. Instead of having to move the seat from car to car, or hope that you have the seat when you have to pick your kid up (or happen to have to pick someone else's kid up), it's always there. And instead of having to store a rather bulky seat in the car somewhere when it's not in use, it's neatly tucked away when not in use.

---jps

Re: There might be another reason for the seat
 

I hope your right and they are offered as an option. It also appears that that it sits up higher so the child will have an easer time looking out the window. I have a 4 1/2 and 1 1/2 year old that would really like to be able to do that in our 2000 Passat.

I hope Mazda is listening, because this is a great point too! This would be a great feature for the times when the kids won't be around, like when I'm at work and want to drive to lunch and show off my RX-8 to my co-workers ... or just to drive around by myself, alone, without empty child car seats in the back seat.

I'm really just hoping that matching seats are available as an option. I have yet to see a child seat that wouldn't look fugly in the back of my RX-8. I would not mind paying extra for a coordinating seat.

Also, concerning "aftermarket" child seats and fit: the RX-8 will be fitted with the LATCH system by law, so I would imagine there are also applicable laws requiring the capability of fitting in a SAFE manner any such seat. Doesn't mean it would be the prettiest fit, just safe. We'll see...

I hope it's a reasonalbly priced option
 

It is important to me that they include the custom child safety seat in the RX-8. It's not a deal breaker, but it would help to rationalize my purchace to my wife:-) It doesn't have to be integrated like the one in the Evolve, I'd be happy with this one from the later red show car.

They way I drive, no one wants to ride in my car. ;)

3rd Party
 

Hey, why doesn't Mazda cut a deal with one of the popular car seat manufacturers to deck-out one of their models (that will fit) RX-8 style. Make the apolstry (sp?) match the interior colors, add some rotary cues and vola! a great sales tool. Dealers could sell the seats as options. Mazda gets around the whole liability issue and the added expense of designing a car seat. We all get seats that work well and look good in our new 8. Sure, we don't get the niceties of a built in but that's not a show stopper for me.

Ummm yeah..... baby seats are cool :rolleyes:

I think mazda just put that in to show that the car can be a family car. Its rediculous to think that mazda would actually make a functional one.

Why? Other manufacturers have offered them in cars in the same price range.

---jps

hey that baby seat went along way in convincing my wife that this should be our next car. i need that thing:D