When you are looking at cars to buy, interiors are usually not the first concern. But you are going to spend most of your time inside the car rather than outside of it. Hence the seat upholstery  needs to be ergonomic and  niche at the same time.

New luxury car fabrics are innovated to provide as much optimality as possible. There is no end to new ideas and scope for comfort. After all, luxury is thoughtfulness at its peak.

Check out these 6 features of automotive upholstery revolutionizing interiors  

Anti Squeak Fabrics

Being inside a good car has a lot to do with how rich the texture feels, how movement friendly the seats are and how easy it is to get in and out of it.  Automotive upholstery fabric is now designed with anti-squeak properties for reduced friction and noises while you move inside the car. Intelligent material with high quality polycarbonate resin ensures least wear and tear.

Lightweight Fabrics

Car manufacturers have put millions of dollars into researching and developing hybrid and electric vehicles that emit fewer pollutants into the environment—and fabrics are not far behind. Manufacturers are focusing on designing materials that are just as safe and strong while reducing the weight of the vehicle for better gas mileage.

The material’s lightweight adds to the megacity vehicle’s (MCV) fuel efficiency. The car will be 772 lbs. (350 kg) lighter than electrical vehicles of comparable size. The weight advantage directly translates into a more efficient use of energy. In other words, the MCV will achieve better mileage per kilowatt hour of stored battery power.

Solar Endurance and UV Light Resistant Fabrics

Automotive fabrics need to withstand the blazing desert sun or below-zero temperatures and still tolerate moisture buildup in warm, humid climates. Automobile manufacturers have added soil and stain resistance to the list of performance standards for fabrics because consumers are spending more time in their cars, including eating on the go. 

Comfort and aesthetics also play a role. Woven and knit polyester fabrics can showcase lustrous or matte finishes, while a nonwoven polyester can look and feel like suede. This light and heat resistant fabric also has a soft hand and is colorfast to prevent fading from exposure to sunlight.

Sustainable Fabrics

The automotive future is heading towards sustainability and manufacturers are always looking for new materials  that rely on a less energy intensive manufacturing process. Fabric constructions that allow for suspension seating  are more practical than the traditional seat built with thick foams and springs. 

OEM’s are creating fabrics which are 100% free of PVC, HFR’s, and plasticizers, with no off gassing. This complies with the legislation in some countries to only use materials which can be recycled, reused and disposed of without harming the environment.

Climate Controlled and Antimicrobial Fabrics

When cars and trucks started incorporating more glass, the interior fabrics had to meet higher light-fastness standards. With the advent of minivans and SUVs, textiles had to be more rugged for such vehicles. Heated and air-cooled seats, too, required fabrics that could work equally well with this relatively new technology.

When the car is not in use and is parked for a long time, chances are that an entire ecosystem can thrive inside.  Sweat, hair, dead skin etc can lead to bacterial growth.  So a seating fabric that is waterproof, comfortable, stain repellent, resists mildew and fungus becomes a need more than luxury.

Conclusion

Automotive fabrics are used in carpeting and protective floor mats. They are also installed on the interior ceiling – headliner, seat belts, magazine or map pockets on the backs of the front seats, interior door panels, trunk liners, steering wheel and gear shift covers, convertible tops , the shelf underneath the back window in cars—and that’s just what the eye can see. While other materials are used as protective barriers for thermal control. This makes the upholstering as important as the car’s engine capacity.