Porsche is releasing 3D printed sheets.
Porsche has been experimenting with 3D printing of components for years, and now some components are beginning to hit the market.
Porsche on Thursday began offering racing-style bucket seats for various 911 and 718 models made with 3D printing.
The seats, which have already been extensively tested on the race track, will be available through Porsche Equipment. In addition, starting next February, they will be available through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and will be included in Porsche's online configurator.
The seats are based on Porsche's existing lightweight bucket seats, only parts of which have been 3D printed. Layers of breathable 3D printed polyurethane form the cushion over a polypropylene base and are attached to a standard seat frame. A portion of the 3D printed lattice structure that forms part of each cushion is cut out and can be ordered in black, red, or yellow. More colors will be added next year. The outer skin of the cushion is a grippy material called Lace-Tex.
Just as racing drivers have custom-fitted seats, Porsche believes that 3D printers can create seats for individual customers. Initially, the seats can only be ordered in hard, medium, or soft hardness. However, as the technology develops, the automaker hopes to increase the level of personalization and eventually be able to design seats to fit the contours of the individual buyer's body.
In addition to offering a new level of personalization to the buyer, these seats are said to be 8% lighter than traditional bucket seats.
In most markets, these seats can be installed in both the driver's and front passenger's seats, but in the U.S. they will only be available in the driver's seat. Porsche has not announced U.S. pricing, but in Europe the seat is priced at €2,677.50 (about $3,105).
Eligible models include the 991- and 992-generation 911s and the 981- and 982-generation Boxster and Cayman.