Form and Function
Automakers have realized that in an increasingly competitive market, one thing that can set them apart is a stylish seat. They're going beyond providing lumbar support to incorporating high-tech materials that can keep interiors cool in summer and be sculpted into elaborate shapes.
Chauffeur Not Included
You can get a Lexus LS for about $90,000 (closer to $120,000 for the loaded, hybrid 600hL version) that has a rear seat with sleeper recline, leg rest, and shiatsu massage options. Climate-control sensors measure passengers' body temperatures and adjust air-conditioning automatically. The executive seating package also includes a DVD player, power sunshades, beverage cooler, and foldout table.
Cool Tech
In the BMW 3 Series convertible, sizzling days no longer mean sizzling skin: The seats, armrests, and shift knob are covered with reflective pigments that reduce the leather's surface temperature by up to 36 degrees F. BMW's Sun Reflective Technology was initially developed for the company's motorcycle suits; its use in the 3 Series is an automotive first.
Green Upholstery
The 2008 Ford Mustang's seats will use a soy-based foam made with up to 25 percent renewable content, which cuts energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions. Ford's Escape and Escape Hybrid S.U.V.'s will also be the first U.S. vehicles with seat fabric made entirely from recycled material, saving an estimated 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually and more than 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity.
No Pain in the Neck
Seats and headrests that prevent or reduce whiplash injuries were pioneered by Saab and Volvo in the late '90s and are being integrated by several automakers. Volvo's whiplash protection system has a moving headrest and spring-loaded back cushion that pivots when the car is struck from behind. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says the system reduced whiplash injuries by 49 percent.
Fatigue Fighters
Sophisticated seats in the Mercedes S-Class sedan—with massage functions and 15 adjustable pneumatic chambers—are part of the company's scientific approach to reducing driving stress and fatigue. Through its ongoing monitoring of test drivers, Mercedes has developed a new fatigue-detection system that measures and analyzes EEG brain waves in both a driving simulator and in long-distance tests.
Room With a View
General Motors offers headrest entertainment on a variety of models, including Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Hummer, and more. Its system includes seven-inch flat L.C.D. screens and dual DVD-CD-MP3 players with twin wireless headphones in the headrests, allowing backseat passengers to watch separate shows or play different videogames.
Form and Function
Audi has long had a reputation as a leader in interior design, beginning with the Bauhaus detailing of its original TT coupe. The limited-production S6 sedan is notable for the company’s latest sport seats, with their sleek integrated headrests. As an option, the seats can come in silvery-white napa leather—indisputably gorgeous, though they may require a dedicated crew to maintain that pristine look.
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