Porsche’s 3D-printed bucket seat which was revealed as a concept last year, is now ready as an optional equipment. A group of Porsche drivers has been putting the new 3D-printed bucket seat through its paces, including the folks at Manthey-Racing, in a pilot phase that has apparently generated lots of valuable feedback.
The seat is now available to order from Porsche Tequipment for certain Boxster, Cayman and 911 models, and can be retrofitted at a Porsche Centre in a few minutes. The seat is available for both driver and passenger, but depending on the vehicle’s production date, only the driver’s seat will be available. In the U.S. market, only the driver seat is available, and if you live in China or Taiwan, these seats are not available at all. From February 2022, the seat can also be ordered from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and will be integrated into the Porsche Car Configurator as well.
The central section of the seat is the key highlight. Parts of the cushion and backrest surfaces are produced with a 3D printer and are available in three rigidity levels: soft, medium and hard, meaning the seat can be customized to suit the driver’s specific needs. The outer skin of the seat is made of Race-Tex, a non-slip material with a unique perforated surface. Compared with conventional full bucket seats, Porsche’s 3D-printed seat is said to be more than 8% lighter.
“During the initial test drives I was impressed by the ergonomics—the slightly lower seat position and improved thigh support are similar to what you get from a seat in a racing car. The passive ventilation is impressive too,” said Lars Kern, Porsche test driver.
Price? Well, a single seat costs EUR 2,677.50 in Germany (including 19% VAT).
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