Renault Introduces Swivel Seat

Renault is the first European motor manufacturer to include this feature in its catalogue. The swivel seat can be specified like any other option and is fitted directly at the Flins factory, in France, as the car comes off the assembly line, so there is no change to the delivery lead time for the customer.

A simple lever enables the seat to turn to face outwards, and then repositions the seat to face the direction of travel without any need for additional effort. This simple solution stands to make life easier for many travellers. The new seat was developed by RENAULT TECH, a department created in 2008 which specialises in passenger car and van conversions.

This new, comfortable swivel seat is based on simple, easy-to-use technology which comprises a swivelling base located beneath the original seat. The seat turns through 75 degrees by pulling on an easily accessible lever which is also situated underneath the seat, to the right of the outward-facing side. When the seat is turned towards the exterior, it is ideally positioned to enable the passenger to sit on it like an ordinary armchair. Activating the lever a second time permits the seat to resume its original position, facing the direction of travel. The swivel seat is a fully integrated part of New Clio's cabin and has no impact on the car's structure, styling, comfort or safety compared with vehicles that don't have this seat.

To make it even more practical still, the new seat comes with a footrest. When the car is moving, this footrest can be lifted and folded away into the seat's base so as not to hinder the occupant. The passenger seat is identical to the driver's seat, with full fore/aft and seatback adjustability. Renault's swivel seat is designed to seat passengers of up to 130kg in weight.

The seat locks automatically into place to allow the passenger to get into and out of the car safely, and also to ensure it doesn't move while the vehicle is being driven.

It comes with all the usual guaranties with regard to passenger safety, including the same passive safety equipment (lateral airbag and pretensioners in the case of five-door versions, or lateral and
anti-submarining airbags in the case of three-door models). The swivel seat is subjected to the same validation/crash test processes as conventional seats and complies with Renault's exacting quality standards, enabling it to be marketed as an option today.

Credits: wilswong