918 Type 'Sport Bucket Seats' News...
05-13-2014, 09:42 PM
#1
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
918 Type 'Sport Bucket Seats' News...
918 Type Sport Bucket Seats appear on German gt3 website! As reported today by Rennteam forum member Rotbart: "Just found the 918 seat option on the German GT3 price list, probably available for MY 2015 cars." 
Rotbart also posted the gt3 parts page (first attachment below). It doesn't appear to be the tilt forward (like gt2 type), so same as found on the 918. The gt2 tilt forward sport bucket seats appear to remain an option in Germany and probably ROW, thus giving owners a choice if they need to access rear of cabin. The 918 sport bucket seats come with an integrated thorax air bag! As most of you know, the gt2 type seat which was introduced in the 2008 gt2 and became an option in US models .2 997, .2 gt3's, .2 gt3 RS, '12 Cayman R's and '11 & '12 Boxster Spyder's is no longer available for US 991's or 981's. It is expected that this new 918 type sport bucket seat will meet approval of US DOT authorities which no longer certified the gt2 type sport bucket seats for current US Porsche models.
These 918 type seats were created by Thorsten Klein, a designer for Porsche (see US patent & photo of Thorsten below). He is a friend and fellow R Gruppe member!
After all of our speculation, it's nice to see that they are finally here! Let's see how soon PCNA shows it as an option on the MY2015 991 gt3 for North America! They are expected to be either standard or an option for sure in the MY2015 991 gt3 RS for NA! Hopefully, they might become an option in some future .2 991 (e.g. gts...or even regular 991) for North America!
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel, CA
.
Rotbart also posted the gt3 parts page (first attachment below). It doesn't appear to be the tilt forward (like gt2 type), so same as found on the 918. The gt2 tilt forward sport bucket seats appear to remain an option in Germany and probably ROW, thus giving owners a choice if they need to access rear of cabin. The 918 sport bucket seats come with an integrated thorax air bag! As most of you know, the gt2 type seat which was introduced in the 2008 gt2 and became an option in US models .2 997, .2 gt3's, .2 gt3 RS, '12 Cayman R's and '11 & '12 Boxster Spyder's is no longer available for US 991's or 981's. It is expected that this new 918 type sport bucket seat will meet approval of US DOT authorities which no longer certified the gt2 type sport bucket seats for current US Porsche models.
These 918 type seats were created by Thorsten Klein, a designer for Porsche (see US patent & photo of Thorsten below). He is a friend and fellow R Gruppe member!
After all of our speculation, it's nice to see that they are finally here! Let's see how soon PCNA shows it as an option on the MY2015 991 gt3 for North America! They are expected to be either standard or an option for sure in the MY2015 991 gt3 RS for NA! Hopefully, they might become an option in some future .2 991 (e.g. gts...or even regular 991) for North America!
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel, CA
.
05-14-2014, 06:39 AM
#2
Finally!...Thanks for the update.
05-14-2014, 11:02 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
Awesome CF seat!
I personally love the lighweight minimalist design and ergonomics but this chair is probably not comfortable for those who prefer the 14/18 way adjustability of the 991's optional units.
Most racing seats (even in street cars) have little or no electrical assistance available for obvious reasons, the 918 has up/down only. This was my rationale for choosing the base sport seats in the 991, they are supportive and comfortable for my frame (5' 9" 185#). I have had to adjust them only one time since getting the car............coat or no coat.
Now...........if those seat were available for the 991...........mmmmmm.
I personally love the lighweight minimalist design and ergonomics but this chair is probably not comfortable for those who prefer the 14/18 way adjustability of the 991's optional units.
Most racing seats (even in street cars) have little or no electrical assistance available for obvious reasons, the 918 has up/down only. This was my rationale for choosing the base sport seats in the 991, they are supportive and comfortable for my frame (5' 9" 185#). I have had to adjust them only one time since getting the car............coat or no coat.
Now...........if those seat were available for the 991...........mmmmmm.
05-14-2014, 11:32 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
I would guess a $15-25K USD option.......no?
If you lay that seat down flat and put ski's on, it would make great skeleton!
05-14-2014, 11:50 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
No access via folding back and the likely price makes swapping in a much less expensive and better fixed seat for the track a more enticing option. The GT2 seats fixed the issue compared to the first gen GT3 seats for 911s but these would be great for a Cayman or possibly a 918....:-)
05-14-2014, 12:51 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
I expect the US price of this option to be much lower, comparable to the price of a gt2 sport bucket seats on a MY2009 .2 997 adjusted for price inflation! In Europe & ROW, Porsche 991/981 customers can choose from either 918 type fixed buckets or gt2 type tilt-forward buckets (handy for 991 owners). Here we know the gt2 type is no longer approved by US DOT. We will be lucky to have US DOT approve the 918 type for the gt3 RS.
Even if US DOT approves, it doesn't mean PCNA will offer it on the regular gt3, much less on the standard 991's or 981's. As many of you know, many (most?) Porsche dealers consider these sport buckets as 'difficult to sell' and will lobby PCNA to limit their availability on the 991/981 that will eventually be traded in for them to re-sell. One way to do this is to make the price of the option prohibitive. But I don't think that is the route they will take. I think they will just limit the models in which these seats are available as options from factory. The only model I have personally heard PCNA promised to offer this seat on is for the upcoming 991 gt3 RS! And in that model at least, I hope they offer these sport bucket seats as a no/cost option!
You think?
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
Even if US DOT approves, it doesn't mean PCNA will offer it on the regular gt3, much less on the standard 991's or 981's. As many of you know, many (most?) Porsche dealers consider these sport buckets as 'difficult to sell' and will lobby PCNA to limit their availability on the 991/981 that will eventually be traded in for them to re-sell. One way to do this is to make the price of the option prohibitive. But I don't think that is the route they will take. I think they will just limit the models in which these seats are available as options from factory. The only model I have personally heard PCNA promised to offer this seat on is for the upcoming 991 gt3 RS! And in that model at least, I hope they offer these sport bucket seats as a no/cost option!
You think?
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
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08-26-2014, 01:54 AM
#9
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Thank you, Lord!
Damn...that is an incredible happy surprise! Beat the 'RS' intro too!
$4,730 for 918 sport buckets in leather & alcantara!
$8,210 for the same seats & full leather interior!
Oh, Happy Day! Same as 918...but in only Black leather & Alcantara!
Saludos,
Eduardo
Hood Canal, WA
.
$4,730 for 918 sport buckets in leather & alcantara!
$8,210 for the same seats & full leather interior!
Oh, Happy Day! Same as 918...but in only Black leather & Alcantara!
Saludos,
Eduardo
Hood Canal, WA
.
08-26-2014, 04:16 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
seems unlikely that these will be options on a 991 since they dont tilt fwd?