An innovative alternative to conventional sports seat upholstery is in development with a 3D-printed bodyform full-bucket seat

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The new bucket seat is based on Porsche’s existing driver seat and its “sandwich construction” enabling reduced weight, improved comfort and even passive climate control.

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The seat design will also feature panels exposing a view of the 3D-printed structure

The base support of expanded polypropylene (EPP) is bonded to a breathable comfort layer – a mixture of polyurethane-based materials made through an additive manufacturing process, ie, 3D printing.

The outer skin is made of Racetex – a waterproof but breathable material – detailed with perforations for passive climate control. The seat will also feature panels exposing a view of the 3D-printed structure.

The innovation is still at development stage and, as such, production is initially be limited to 40 seat prototypes for use on race tracks in combination with a six-point seat belt.

Customer feedback will be incorporated into the ongoing development process with the final road-legal models targeted for production in mid-2021.

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