• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Mercedes Reimagines Comfort with Custom Fit, 3D Printed Seat Pads

July 7, 2025 By Naseem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - Mercedes Reimagines Comfort with Custom Fit, 3D Printed Seat Pads

Mercedes-Benz just pulled the curtain off its CONCEPT AMG GT XX — and while most headlines are likely to gush over its insane 1,341 horsepower output and Formula 1-inspired electric drivetrain, we’re more interested in what’s going on inside the cabin.

That’s right. Beneath all the carbon fiber and performance tech, this futuristic four-door supercar is quietly revolutionizing interior design, using 3D printing, biotechnology, and even upcycled race tires to create the sports car cabin of the future.

The Hog Ring - Mercedes Reimagines Comfort with Custom Fit, 3D Printed Seat Pads

Custom 3D-Printed Seat Pads

Let’s start with the seats — because they’re unlike anything we’ve seen in a production-bound vehicle.

The CONCEPT AMG GT XX features carbon fiber racing shells up front, which isn’t all that surprising. What is surprising, however, is that each seat is fitted with custom 3D-printed pads made specifically for the person sitting in them. These aren’t just bolted-on cushions either — they have an open 3D structure, which improves ergonomics, increases comfort, and allows for airflow.

Mercedes-AMG says the pads are based on body scan data and can be quickly swapped out, similar to how professional racing teams change out seat inserts between drivers. The tech not only boosts driver comfort, but also hints at a future where car seats are personalized like sneakers or orthotics — tailored to the exact contours of your body.

If this takes off, it could seriously change the way auto trimmers approach custom interiors.

The Hog Ring - Mercedes Reimagines Comfort with Custom Fit, 3D Printed Seat Pads

Faux Leather… from Race Tires?

Another standout innovation is the car’s use of LABFIBER Biotech Leather Alternative — a new material Mercedes developed in partnership with U.S. bio-design startup Modern Meadow. It’s made from recycled rubber (yep, actual used AMG GT3 race tires), vegetable proteins, and biopolymers.

According to Mercedes, just one worn-out racing tire can yield over 40 square feet of this next-gen leather alternative, which mimics the feel, durability, and even the aging of genuine leather. It’s also breathable, waterproof, and up to twice as strong as the real stuff — all while being lighter and fully recyclable.

In this concept, the seat pads are finished in the LABFIBER material, styled to resemble black Nappa leather. And honestly, from the photos, it looks pretty good.

The Hog Ring - Mercedes Reimagines Comfort with Custom Fit, 3D Printed Seat Pads

Silk… from Bacteria?

The innovation doesn’t stop at the seats. Even the door pulls are made from biotech silk — not from silkworms, but from lab-grown proteins produced from genetically modified bacteria and spun into thread. Mercedes says this synthetic silk is strong and biodegradable.

Pair all this with door panels made of lightweight tubing and floor mats made entirely from recycled materials, and it’s clear the GT XX is less about throwback luxury and more about building a sustainable, high-performance future.

The Hog Ring - Mercedes Reimagines Comfort with Custom Fit, 3D Printed Seat Pads

What This Means for Trimmers

For us in the auto upholstery world, this concept offers a glimpse into where OEM interiors are headed. Mercedes isn’t just swapping leather for pleather. They’re leveraging cutting-edge science to create smarter, more sustainable, and more customizable cabin materials.

And if this stuff hits production (as they’re hinting it will), customers may soon expect bespoke seat padding and bio-based trim — raising the bar for what a “custom interior” really means.

Basically, the future of car interiors is gonna be wild.

Related Stories:

  • Porsche to Begin 3D Printing Upholstery
  • Faurecia Unveils New 3D Panels to Reduce Interior Weight
  • Mercedes is Making Headliners from Plastic Ocean Waste

Filed Under: Archive, Concepts & Designs Tagged With: 3D Printers, Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX, Mercedes-Benz

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

[the_ad id="15589"]
[the_ad id="27915"]
[the_ad_group id="1581"]

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - This Ferrari is Trimmed in Antelope and Buffalo Leather

This Ferrari is Trimmed in Antelope and Buffalo Leather

Check out this Ferrari 812 GTS upholstered by … [more] about This Ferrari is Trimmed in Antelope and Buffalo Leather

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Nissan Do Not Resew Policy

Leaked: Nissan ‘Do Not Resew’ Policy

Last year, we reported on the controversial … [more] about Leaked: Nissan ‘Do Not Resew’ Policy

The Hog Ring - Meet David Price of d-class automotive interiors

Meet David Price of d:class automotive

David Price launched d:class automotive … [more] about Meet David Price of d:class automotive

10 Wild Lowrider Car Interiors

No doubt, you repair and upholster a lot of … [more] about 10 Wild Lowrider Car Interiors

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Stitches Custom Auto Upholstery

Shop Profile: Stitches Custom Upholstery

Tony Miller of Stitches Custom Auto … [more] about Shop Profile: Stitches Custom Upholstery

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Airbag Tag

Sewing Airbag Seams with Durkopp Adler

For good reason, many auto upholstery shops … [more] about Sewing Airbag Seams with Durkopp Adler

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • WyoTech Taps Dominic Olson for Upholstery Program, Installs New NC Machines
  • MasterTech Expo 2026 Draws Global Crowd and Raises the Bar Again
  • Free SEMA Webinar: How to Start Your Own Auto Shop
  • NC Carpet Binding Teases New Bespoke Carpet Edgings Line
  • Register for SEMA’s 2026 Professional Development Program

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in