ThermaCool backrest

Ventilated seats with cooling (or heating) function are among the lesser known features in Indian cars. So much so that there are only a handful of models that will keep your spine and buttocks cool in the sweltering heat. Now, however, this nifty piece of technology is beginning to migrate all through the mainstream motoring, thanks to the world of aftermarket solutions.

Perhaps this is not the best time of the year to think about ventilating our seating but winter is coming and it will be summer eventually, which makes it all the more difficult to drive at ease and in total comfort; and if its all-year comfort you seek then you may want to look at this aftermarket ventilated backrest. It’s called ThermaCool and what it does is that it provides instant cooling and heating depending on the condition.

How does it work? You ask.

For starters, it can be plugged into any vehicle with 12V input power supply. The backrest itself can be hanged onto the car seat using a pair of straps. As for the workings, the system uses its top and bottom vents to suck in cold air which is then rejected out from the side vents, carrying the heat pumped by the thermoelectric technology. Meanwhile, the multichannel cooling plates (seen below) on the backrest get cold for instant cooling. In case of heating, thermoelectric modules act as a heat pump and provide heating when it’s cold outside.

While it all sounds pretty much perfect in theory, here’s how effective this ventilated backrest really is as a climate control seat.

To begin with, installing the backrest is really easy. It’s only a matter of hanging it onto the seat, plugging it and you are ready to go. Having used it over a range of cars from our long-term fleet, it’s safe to say that the backrest gels with all seat sizes. The polyester fabric might be good at absorbing sweat, but the side bolsters are a bit too intrusive – something that is likely to leave a generously sized user with a stiff back over long drives. Also, the conductive plates could do with some sort of cushioning for better back comfort.

Keeping the back cold or warm is the most crucial function of a ventilated seat. And in this regard, the ThermaCool does quite well. The cooling plates spread across the backrest do their job the moment you plug the system in. The cooling effect, in fact, is amplified a lot under the sun. What doesn’t leave as good an impression though is the fit and finish of the controller. Unlike OEM ventilated seats which are complemented with integrated knobs and buttons on the dash, the controller in here is a free moving unit, one that uses a little dial and dodgy switches. This is especially poor when you factor in the list price of Rs 20,989 (Rs 19,990 for the product plus shipping and taxes). Now there are lower-spec versions with lesser number of cooling plates for Rs 11,990 and Rs 15,990 although whichever way you look at it, the pricing is steep indeed.

All things considered, should you put all that money for the said convenience?

If you do not drive much, chances are you may not see the benefit of this temperature-based technology. As for those who regularly battle long commutes under the sun, they would certainly appreciate the comfort of a chilled backrest. The ThermaCool, then, is a well thought-out product and does what it says on the box but there’s no denying that it’s also a little rough around the edges, not to mention steeply priced. All in all, the ThermaCool would make plenty of sense if it’s makers (Read: Dhama Innovations) can work their way around the lack of cushioning and price it more reasonably.

Photos by Kapil Angane