I just want to how the comfort level is of the standard seats as suppose to the carbon fiber seats
The demo cars that I had the chance to sit in both had carbon fiber seats, therefore I couldn't compare
Both give very good support, so I personally wouldn't necessarily buy the Sparco's for that alone, especially given the price tag. That said, they look better, but again, the standard seats look pretty cool as well. I choose the standard with electric/heating options, simply because I like my creature comforts and given the power available in the QV, I didn't see the weight making any material difference.
I sat in the Quadrifoglio at Piccadilly and that had the standard alcantara/leather sports seats. I can tell you they were very supportive and comfortable. However, if I was lucky enough to have the £ for a QF I would get the Carbon seats, just because they look awesome!
I went for the Sparcos, just for looks really although considering Alfa have gone to the bother of fitting a carbon prop shaft it seems wrong you weigh it down with seat motors. I was worried the Sparcos would look a bit Halfords but in the flesh they look amazing. Really makes the interior special in my opinion. Having said that the standard seats are really nice and if the Sparcos didn't exist if be really happy with them.
That is mostly the case with any car, but I am hoping to keep this for awhile. Just trying to find out if it's worth it for the Carbon Fiber seats in comfort wise?
Aesthetically, both seats look good but I do see that the standard power seats have bigger bolsters. Carbon Fiber seats look awesome from the behind but lacks heated element, lumbar support, and powered bolsters.
At 6'4 I always have problems with seating position, especially in Alfa's. My 75 has a pull out section that extends the seat so you get support under the back of the knee. Having driven the Giulietta for over 5 years I'm now suffering with hip pain from constantly having to have hold my right leg and ankle bent. The Giulia QV has the pull out section on the seat which helps but I noticed that the power seats have the ability to tip the front of the seat up which allowed the seat to support my leg like I've never been able to before, so I've ended up adding power seats to my order - an expense I wasn't planning so I'll just have the sell both kidneys
We got to sit in both types of seats at the London pre-launch event.
Both are great. The bolster in the standard seats are bigger / deeper than the carbon seats.
This meant my wife couldn't rest her arms in them without them being on the bolsters.
So we've got to go with the carbon seats.
I think the carbon seats are a little deeper (less back legroom) and even if they are not, the backs are much harder than the standard seats. making it less pleasant in the back.
However, we're not expecting to have people in the back much and don't have to get kids in and out, so fine for us.
If we were doing either though it would make it a tougher car for us to live with as Mel would have problems with the seats and therefore have to drive all the time to not rub the bolsters meaning I'd never get to drive... this is actually how it is already, but as this is supposed to be 'my' car it would make me cry a lot
I agonised over the choice for quite some time on my build.
Ultimately the only thing I could find going for the Carbon seats was the aesthetics - they certainly add to the ambiance in the interior. Otherwise, my money would go on standard seats with the electric seat pack. This was the best option IMO.
The standard seats were more supportive in my experience, especially with the electrics, which adds adjustable bolsters. This means you can adjust the lateral support and actually I found it was possible to make the seat more snug than with the bucket seats, but then you have the ability to slacken this off for a bit more "room to breathe". The level of adjustment also meant they were far more comfortable, naturally, enabling you to get a great, low driving position that was just right. Electric pack also gives you comfort access (so the seat automatically slides back when you stop the car and open the door, to make access easier).
Don't get me wrong, I know I'll see carbon seats on some cars occasionally, and wish I had them for their looks, but ultimately with all the options on electric standard seats you have a far more versatile car.
I doubt it otherwise they'd give the weight of the car with the 2 different seat options wouldn't they or at least put it in the brochure.
Thinking about it, its the back of the Sparco seats that's carbon fibre. The back of the standard seats are plastic. I can't see there being much weight difference between carbon or plastic.
The electric seats will be heavier due to the motors but when you consider the car weighs around 1600kg with 510bhp even that won't make a noticeable difference.
Sparco or standard is down to looks and if you can forego the electric seats which then gives you heated seats and steering wheel too, all for less cost than the Sparcos. Plus the lack of adjustable headrests on the Sparcos, which for me would be a problem. Most people probably not though.
The other main difference is that the standard seats with electric pack have easy entry/exit. Somebody else (Nick possible) has said that he agrees with Clarkson and it can be slightly awkward getting in and out. This definitely isn't the case with easy entry/exit.
The other thing that I considered was that I have kids. I fear that those gorgeous carbon fibre seat backs would get scratched to buggery in no time flat.
Standard seats with no electric pack is easy to get in and out of. I'm having no issues and I'm 6ft. Easier to get out if than any of my previous AMG, RS or //M cars. Clarksons comments are bs
"I don't give a monkey's, I bought them because they look epic" - Quite right!
What's the motor for on the Sparcos 146Nick?
Ecain63 - Clarkson was obviously being over the top but I know what he means. I'm 6'2" but with long legs so I have to have the seat a long way back. Not usually a problem but in the Giulia when I had the seat in a comfortable position if I turned my head to the right to see what was next to me all I could see was a pillar! I had to lean forward first. Luckily the Quadrifoglio has blind spot alert but I've never had that problem in any other car. I also found the A pillar quite thick.
However, I suspect both help with the fantastic crash test results and it looks great so I don't mind!
Getting out wasn't an issue on both test drives. Didn't even think about the pillar being in the way, just while driving.
I went for standard non electric seats, set once and very comfortable. No problem getting in or out but then I am only 6' and don't have the optional extended midriff.
Electric seats will be amazing for us as I'm 6'2" and my wife is 5'5". We both drive the same car. If she's been in it I can't even get in without having to move the seat back. Now I'll just press my memory button and all will be well.
I test drove a car with the carbon fibre seats didn't think they were worth an extra £3k. When i ordered mine i didn't see the electric seat option and assumed they were standard. Was a bit disappointed when car arrived without them but the standard seats are absolutely fine and anything which makes it less easy for the wife to get comfy behind the wheel can only be a good thing!
To be honest, you could take the seats out and sit on a box to drive the QV and you'll still love it. Both seats are extremely supportive and comfortable and the choice is like colour or wheels - there will be lots of different opinions. Personally, I don't think the weight saving will make a noticeable difference to performance, particularly on the road. It's down to whether you want to pay the extra for the carbons which are undeniably sexier.
One of those if you have the money to spare type questions for me. I didn't so went for the powered ones which actually have more settings, such as lifting the front up to support behind the knees, something that I find invaluable
Mines a Stelvio - but I tried both.. Less leg room in the back with the Sparco's (surprisingly) .. Opted for the standard seat with the electrics and they're great.. I'd only go for the Sparco's if you're going to track it regularly.. Day to day the standard seats the better option I think.
I have the standard seats non heated. I personally don't miss the heated seats, I don't think the standard QF seats need them as the centres are suede so they dont get that cold anyway. But... I do miss the electric seats for the angle & lumber adjustments which just adds to the driving comfort. If I was to order again, I'd tick the electric seat option.
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