In the world of the Porsche 997 (2005–2012), the Adaptive Sport Seats (often abbreviated as ASS or referred to as 18-way seats) are widely considered the “holy grail” for owners who want a balance of daily comfort and track-ready support.

Here is the breakdown of what makes them special, how they differ from other options, and why they are so highly sought after.

Listing Details

• Porsche Adjustable Sport Seats
• Black Leather w/Alcantara Inserts
• Gray Deviated Stitching
• Silver Hardbacks w/Integrated Hooks
• Heated & 18-Way Power-Adjustable

1. Key Features & Adjustability

The “Adaptive” part of the name refers to the pneumatic bolsters. While standard sport seats have fixed side bolsters, the Adaptive version allows you to electronically inflate or deflate them.

• 18-Way Power Adjustment: Includes fore/aft, height, backrest angle, seat squab angle (tilt), and lumbar support.

• Adjustable Bolsters: You can independently tighten the bolsters on the seat cushion (thighs) and the backrest (torso) to “pinch” you into the seat for spirited driving.

• The “Hardback” Look: These seats feature the iconic painted silver (or sometimes exterior-color matched) plastic shells.

• Memory Function: Usually paired with driver-side memory settings, allowing you to save your perfect bolster and seating position.

2. 997 Seat Comparison

To identify if a 997 has Adaptive Sport Seats, look for the cluster of toggle switches on the outer side of the seat base.

3. The Pros and Cons

The Good

• Versatility: They can be wide and comfortable for a cross-country road trip, then narrow and tight for a track day.

• Support: The “shoulder wings” provide significantly more upper-body support during cornering than standard seats.

• Resale Value: A 997 equipped with Adaptive Sport Seats from the factory typically commands a premium of $2,000–$5,000 over one with standard seats.

The Bad

• Weight: They are heavy. Because of the many motors and air pumps, a single seat weighs roughly 60–65 lbs—significantly more than a manual sport seat or a carbon bucket.

• Entry/Exit: The high side bolsters (even when deflated) can make getting in and out of the car a bit of a “climb,” which leads to common wear/creasing on the leather of the outer bolster.