Magna Touts Recliner/Fold Flat Rear Seat System

Magna International Inc. has unveiled a new rear-seat system with a seatback that can recline and fold flat to expand cargo capacity.

Dubbed Sedan Slouch, the dual-purpose design is intended for medium and large sedans, according to the company. Magna is promoting the system, which is ready for production now, to multiple carmakers.

Passengers can recline the Sedan Slouch seatback several degrees by pulling a lever under the seat bottom similar to the lever used to manually move front seats back and forth on their tracks. Magna also has developed a power version.

The seatback also can be folded forward to open a passageway between the trunk and passenger compartment by using a release button like those found on conventional fold-down rear seatbacks.