For the past 20 years, Vauxhall has been championing the importance of driving with a healthy posture by offering seats certified by AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. – Campaign for Healthier Backs) an independent German association promoting research related to back-pain prevention.
Comfort and in-car ergonomics remains a key focus for Vauxhall as the brand works towards becoming an electric-only manufacturer by 2028. The need for a comfortable and supportive seating position will never not be crucial, regardless of the powertrain. This is why Vauxhall believes in using AGR certification to ensure seats that offer optimum comfort and spinal support for occupants.
AGR certification ensures both a safe and comfortable ride. A relaxed, back-friendly seating position reduces fatigue during longer journeys, increasing concentration on the road ahead. And in the event of an accident, a seat that can hold its occupant into position means that other safety devices, such as seatbelts and airbags, can provide a greater amount of protection.
Two decades of work with AGR means that today, Vauxhall customers can find the latest generation of AGR seats across a range of popular models, including the New Astra and Astra Sports Tourer, as well as the upcoming GSe electrified performance line-up.
James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “Back-friendly seating and AGR certification is something we’ve proudly championed at Vauxhall for 20 years, and for good reason. It is the most important connection between the driver, their passengers and the car. Everyone should be as comfortable and as safe as possible on every journey.”
2003: THE SIGNUM KICKSTARTS A COMFORT REVOLUTION
In February 2003, the launch of the Signum in the large family car segment provided an opportunity for Vauxhall to redefine comfort in its own terms. Key to this was a spacious and innovative interior combined with a long wheelbase for a car of its size, as well as highly adjustable and supportive seats. The Signum was the first Vauxhall with seats carrying AGR certification, prioritising long distance comfort not just for the driver, but also for occupants in a rear passenger cell featuring two full-size seats with independent adjustment instead of a folding three-seat bench.
The arrival of the second-generation Meriva in 2010 introduced the idea of an all-round ergonomic concept. Versatile seating with AGR certification and multi-way adjustment was combined with an approach to make every physical interaction with the Meriva as simple and as comfortable as possible. Along with the FlexSpace versatile seating system, it pioneered easy-access FlexDoors and the Flex-Fix slide-out bicycle carrier, convincing AGR to certify not just the seats, but the entire vehicle.
COMFORT FOR ALL: AGR-CERTIFIED SEATS AVAILABLE ON KEY VAUXHALL MODELS
AGR seating is available today across a diverse spread of Vauxhall models in different specifications. Along with the Crossland and Grandland SUVs, the new Astra family offers drivers AGR certified seating options. An ergonomic driver’s active sports-style seat with AGR approval is found as standard in GS trim level Astras, while driver and passenger AGR sports seats are found in Ultimate variants. These have adjustable headrests, electronically-adjustable lumbar support and extendable thigh support.
In addition to AGR certification, heated front seats are standard on Astra and Mokka at the popular GS trim level. Corsa, Crossland and Grandland models benefit from this feature at Ultimate trim level.
COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE GO HAND IN HAND IN GSe MODELS
Underlying the importance of AGR-certification, Vauxhall’s new electrified performance sub-brand, GSe, has launched with two models introducing exclusive and premium ergonomic seating. In the Plug-in Hybrid Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe, as well as the Grandland GSe electrified performance SUV, AGR front sport seats trimmed with Alcantara® are offered.
These seats differ in design to the regular Ergonomic Active Seats with more figure-hugging side bolsters, fully-integrated headrests, and distinctive design cues including a bold grey stripe on the backrest, stitched GSe branding on the backrest and seat cushion, and yellow-on-black GSe logos on the seat-back. The drivers’ seat in Astra GSe models also features a memory function.
Optionally, Ultimate and GSe models are offered with Jet Black Nappa Leather upholstery, introducing front seats with massage function and ventilation, as well as heated rear seats.
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