patdonahue

What is the attraction of Alcantara? I have never sat on it the only exposure I have had to it was in the A-pillars and headliner of my departed 981S so I am pretty much in the dark to its advantages / popularity. I know it is much easier on the cow population but other than that why is it so popular?

Archimedes

Grips better than leather and stays cooler against your body. I love it on seats. Not so much on steering wheels.

patdonahue

Thanks,
Is it low maintenance? Easy to keep clean?

wizee

It generally doesn’t crack the way leather does, and doesn’t need conditioning. It’s a little more work to clean than leather because it’s fuzzy, but the fuzziness can feel nice on the hands, and on seats it holds you in place much better than leather.

Jim Rockford

Grips as others have said, feels nice to the touch. I like it because it visually breaks up a sea of just smooth leather in an interior.

Fizzmopper

Nick Murray does a good review of Alcantara:
I can't stand Alcantara personally. I think the leather looks so much more luxurious and fitting for a Porsche.

OttawaSteve

It’s fireproof and grips well, which is why it is used in racing cars. A cynic might say that they use it in sports cars because it is used in racing cars. And its much cheaper than leather.

Dyim

Because race car! Motorsport heritage.

Usually standard on GTS and GT products.

akhbhaat

Durability, breathability, and grip. Alcantara requires virtually no maintenance other than occasional cleaning (which is technically optional; won't really affect the longevity). It won't dry out or crack. However, I'd still prefer a nice high end cloth (like Porsche's Sport-Tex) given the option, and at some point I'll probably get some houndstooth inserts or something like that for the LWBs.

H82BL8

It is ALOT. Less expensive for manufacturers

also, it is a material that is lighter than leather/suede

frosty911

And it looks so great. Great to the touch also. Suits the caracter of the gt4 perfectly.

patdonahue

Thanks to all who responded to my question!
Pat D

hf1

Why not on steering wheel and shifter? Honest question, never had it in my cars before.

blraider97

I think some don’t like it on the steering wheel and shifter because it can get matted and worn in spots, specifically if the car is tracked and the driver doesn’t wear gloves or has a death grip on the wheel.

Archimedes

Purely aesthetics. I think it makes the wheel look like it has one of those fuzzy aftermarket covers from the 80s on it.