Sustainable Natural Fiber Adopted in Bucket Seats of High-Performance Electric Car

Seatbacks currently made from carbon- and glass-fiber composites will now switch to using natural flax fiber as the reinforcing material in the Cupra Born VZ electric vehicle. Cupra is the high-performance division of Spanish carmaker SEAT. For the car’s interior design, Cupra has collaborated with natural-fiber composite provider Bcomp and Sabelt, renowned for its expertise in high-performance automotive seats, to create the first full natural fiber CUP bucket seats in the Cupra vehicle line-up.

49% reduction in CO₂ emissions.

The new all-natural-fiber seatbacks offer significant reductions in emissions. The use of Bcomp’s proprietary ampliTex technical material reduces CO₂ emissions by 49% compared to the carbon- and glass-fiber hybrid version, while also offering end-of-life options. The incorporation of natural fiber offers other significant benefits, including enhanced vibration damping and increased safety, providing an optimal blend of sustainability and high performance.

Flax-fiber-reinforced composite seat backs lower environmental footprint in high-performance electric vehicle. Image courtesy of Bcomp.

Easy integration into car manufacturing process.

The close collaboration between Cupra and Bcomp also reflects the ability to rapidly integrate these natural materials into the production process. With a shared commitment to improving environmental responsibility without compromising performance, the transition from traditional materials to innovative sustainable materials has been remarkably swift. AmpliTex natural fiber provides both the structural layer and a visual surface that introduces an elegant natural appearance and higher level of comfort for drivers and passengers.

Related:Kia Revolutionizes Auto Interiors with Sustainable Solution

0 to 60 in under six seconds.

The natural-fiber-based CUP bucket seats are available exclusively for the powerful electric Cupra. The Cupra Born VZ delivers impressive performance with 322 horsepower and a massive instant torque of 545 Newton-meters (402 ft-lb), allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in just 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 km/h (120 mph) while offering a dynamic driving experience from the comfort of the supportive bucket seat.

Acceleration also notable in design and production.

Commented Per Mårtensson, chief revenue officer at Bcomp: “Everyone involved from Cupra, Sabelt, and Bcomp showcased unparalleled agility to deliver a world’s first series high-performance natural-fiber bucket seat within an extremely short timeframe, challenging standard automotive go-to-market timelines in favor of sustainability. We at Bcomp are happy to prove, once again, that we can deliver quality competitive products for the large-volume market that offer a much more sustainable solution to automotive interiors than standard materials.”

Added Francesca Sangalli, head of colour & trim concept & strategy at Cupra: “We’ve been researching the use of flax fiber for some time to integrate it in our car seats. We are now happy to say that it’s been successfully implemented. We are changing the sporty aesthetics to incorporate a functional part made of flax fiber in the interior of a car.”