WHY SEATS ARE CHANGING FROM THE INSIDE OUT

IN THE QUEST to reduce weight, one area of a car's structure that gets relatively little public attention is seating.

- JESSE CROSSE

As drivers and passengers, we probably take them for granted beyond how comfortable or not they might be. But if you've ever had to remove a seat from a car, you'll know just how complex and heavy they are.

Seat makers already employ lightweight steels and aluminium but we could soon see much more advanced methods of construction to save weight and greater use of sustainable materials. Last year, for instance, BMW revealed its M Visionary Materials seat, a project to explore the use of recycled and plant-based raw materials and bio-based leather alternatives. More on that in a moment.