Renault turns more than heads with its new swivel seat

Renault is making getting in and out of its New Clio easier for Europeans with the introduction of Europe’s first original equipment swivel seat. Comprising a swivel base located beneath the original front passenger seat the optional swivel seat turns through 75 degrees at the pull of a lever situated underneath it. The seat locks automatically into place to ensure the passenger isn’t doing the twist as the vehicle is being driven.

Part of the company's Mobility for All campaign, the factory fitted seat is a fully integrated part of the New Clio’s cabin and has no impact on the car’s structure, styling, comfort or safety when compared to vehicle’s that don’t opt for the swivel seat. The seat also comes with a footrest that can be lifted and folded away into the seat’s base when the car is moving. It is designed to seat passengers of up to 130kg.

Due for release in June the swivel seat will initially be available in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland this year, with availability extending to other markets and other models from the Renault range at a later date.

The swivel seat is available as an option for the three- and five-door versions of the New Clio’s Expression Clim and Dynamique Tom Tom equipment levels at a tax-paid price of 1,600 euro (approx. US$2,140), which Renault says is significantly cheaper that an equivalent product from an after-sales conversion.