Front Seat
7201 Front seat
The seat system in a 911 has to fulfil special requirements in terms of driving behaviour and package. Added to this is the fact that safety and weight requirements have also evolved since the predecessor. In order to meet these requirements without compromise, the front seat system has been completely redesigned.
It is distinguished by the following innovations:
- Considerable improvement in comfort on short and long journeys
- Improvement of the lateral support
- Lowered seat position with more headroom
- Improved ease of access to the storage area in the rear and ease of entry
- Consistent implementation of light-weight construction techniques
- Option via Tequipment to integrate ISOFIX and LATCH (UCRA) child seats
(LATCH = Lower Anchorage with Tether for Child)
(UCRA = Universal Child Restraint Anchorage)
- Integration of additional thorax airbag for each front seat
- Higher backrests with improved headrests
Comfort
To take account of this fact the front seats were designed for larger people, particularly in relation to the width of the shoulder area and the seat cushions. This was done using a slimmer seat frame with the same outer contour. The slimmer frame meant that the available interior seat dimensions were increased which allowed the use of foam that is approx. 20 % thicker than in the predecessor.
The main influencing factors for relaxed driving are the level of shock absorption and the level of support offered by the seat.
Following extensive testing of damping behaviour in the vehicle, Porsche has developed a patented damping/vibration system for its seats.
Lateral support
Lateral support for occupants is very important, particularly with high lateral acceleration. A seat with good lateral support will stabilise the driver, for example when cornering at high speeds, without the need for any additional effort on the driver's part. This is a prerequisite for precision control in extreme driving situations. Lateral support in the new seats is provided by the higher side pieces. The side piece cushions are further reinforced by the contour of the frame. The lateral support offered by the sports seats is even greater than that offered by the standard seats. Lastly the adaptive sports seat system even offers a facility for individually adjusting the side pieces of the seat cushion and the backrest to the respective driver.
Lowered seat position with more headroom
The aim with any sports car is to have as low a sitting position as possible in the vehicle. The advantages of this are enhanced dynamic performance thanks to a lower overall centre of gravity and a subjectively more comfortable response to acceleration.
The lower seat position was achieved by means of two measures: firstly a change in the body-in-white allowed the seats to be installed lower in the vehicle and secondly the seat itself was made shallower. The combined effect of these measures for the customer is a sitting position that is approx. 10 mm lower. The result is considerably better headroom, particularly for people with a long upper body.
Improved ease of access to the storage area in the rear and ease of entry
Ease of access to the storage area behind the front seats and ease of entry have been improved by means of two measures:
- Firstly the backrests can be swivelled forward another 19°. Moving the swivelling axis of the backrest forward creates more space when the backrest is folded down, making it easier to climb into the rear.
- Secondly the backrest swivel mechanism is now smoother, even under load. This means the backrests can be unlatched without much force, even if braced by a load.
Light-weight construction
The overall weight of the vehicle has a direct influence on performance and fuel economy. The consistent use of light-weight construction techniques in the new seat system has facilitated a reduction in weight despite the higher strength requirements. As a result, the new seat system is approx. 6 kg lighter than a predecessor seat equipped with comparable functions.