CAlexio

http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/suede-...ors-1733409981

i've never had alcantara on a car I've owned, so I was quite excited that so much of it was on the interior of the 981 Spyder. However, after reading this article I'm getting concerned wondering whether it gets dirty and/or wears this badly?

My only memory was my dad had a lancia thema when I was young in italy, it was beige and to be honest.. with us kids it had some serious dark spots on it by the time the car was sold... but I had never made the connection until now..

has the material improved since the mid 80's?

Milehigh981

Huh, I was just reading that aritcle and had the same questions.
My biggest gripe with the spyder is that we're forced to get alcantara and cannot opt for full leather like the GTS. It's cheaper material than leather.
Be curious as to what people who have it say about care as well.

n4v4nod

Sorry, but the writer of the article is a moron. Why do you think it is used in race cars?

Alcantara is based purely on performance! Alcantara grips you and prevents your body from sliding. Additionally Alcantara breathes better than leather. In the winter it also is warmer than leather. Last... it is lighter than leather! I will say there is different qualities of Alcantara. Alcantara is a brand that not all cars utilize... so I'm more than certain some manufactures use subpar "suedes".

The writer has a right to his opinion, but it's just that. Fact is a fact that Alcantara performance wise is better than leather.

CAlexio

interested more in durability questions...

red route 1

I don't like alcantara. It feels cheep and will get dirty like the proverbial suede shoe, soaking oils and sweat. So I ordered mine with the leather wheel and shift boot, and will try not to interact with the rest much. For me it's the main downside of the Spyder.

Green_Hornet

I really like alcantara. I had it in my last car and again in the new one.

Dr.Bill

The alcantara bits in my Cayman R looked like new after 17k miles and nearly 4 years. I don't go crazy washing, waxing, and cleaning, but don't abuse my cars either. Easier to care for than leather and doesn't scratch like leather.

Quadcammer

you know this how?

Keadog

I don't like it but the deal breaker for me was that it can't be had with ventilated seats. That and the non-power top made me lose interest in trying to find a Spyder allocation.
Does anyone know for sure what, if any, difference there is between Alcantara and the old ultra suede (other than a fancy name)?

extanker

by all means.....get the alcantara.......it is faster. smh

Marine Blue

My sport buckets have alcantara and after 4.5 years and 11500 miles they still look as new with no discoloration or evidence of wear. I know it's not a great data point due to the miles but I figure with proper care (regular vacuuming and ocasional wipe down with a damp microfiber and it will look just as good 15 years from now.

texasviany

I raced rally for a factory and in those races the cars got trashed…dirt, mud, grime etc. It was the first time that I ever saw and got to use alcantara. Bottom line, that S**T is bullet proof and stain proof. I would get bed sheets made in that if my wife would let me!

Archimedes

Wore well and looked great in my B6 S4. And it was light grey. But I'm pretty **** about my cars inside and out, so I never allowed it to get dirty.

I'm not a huge fan of huge swaths of it in a car, but in limited pieces on a seat, I think it's pretty cool.

CAlexio

Such contrasting info, well, good to know others have had good experiences with it. I know I would be **** about it, but I left it on the wheel as a small diameter alcantara wheel just screams "race car" to me and I'm a poseur, so I like the feeling if not the reality.

Bob Rouleau

I have had issues with suede but never with Alcantara. My 997GT3RS (2010) has Alcantara on the seats and shifter (not on the steering wheel I ordered smooth leather and looked like new when it went to its new owner a few months ago. Same goes for my S Line Audi with Alcantara seats, no wear.