Ford swaps leather for cloth in hot climates

FORD has started fitting top-spec cars sold in the US with cloth seats after discovering buyers in hot climates don’t like searing ther arses on sun-kissed leather.

The first model to introduce the new “downgraded” seats is the Ford Edge,a five-seat SUV that will arrive in Australia early next year as a replacement for the locally made Ford Territory.

“The decision to offer a cloth interior on a higher series model that features more standard equipment and technology comes at the request of customers who reside in markets with more extreme weather conditions,” Ford said in a statement after revealing the edge at the Dallas Fort Worth Auto Show in Texas.

“Dallas averages more than 230 sunny days a year, and because cloth seating materials tend to be more comfortable in the heat, Edge sells about five percent more non-leather seats in Dallas than the national average.

“With the Edge SEL Sport Appearance Package, customers no longer have to choose between leather-bound comfort and technology,” it said.

Dallas temperatures range between an average of about 14 degrees Celsius in winter, and around 36 degrees in the height of summer.

The cloth-seated Edge comes well equipped, featuring a dark-accented exterior, 19-inch 10-spoke wheels, grille, mirror caps and rear spoiler. Inside, it gets grey fabric seats with contrasting suede-like fabric inserts that Ford says stay cooler in the heat.

Is this something Ford Australia would like to offer here with the all-new Edge due on sale next year? WhichCar has asked the question.