I have to say - I don't mind it on the seats. But I hate it on the steering wheel and shifter - in fact when I ordered my car, I made sure to get the brushed aluminum shift **** to guarantee leather ****/boot/wheel

 

LEATHER = OVERRATED

Sorry. Just because it comes from an animal doesn't make it better. I used to not like Alcantara before I actually tried it. Its an acquired taste, like fine bourbon, but once you appreciate it it makes leather seem like Absolut Vodka. Better texture. Better grip. And, IMO, looks better on certain parts of the car like steering wheel and seat center.

 

I've never understood the fascination with leather. I've had alcantara on numerous cars, going all the way back to my B5 Audi S4. I would never choose leather if alcantara was an option.

All alcantara in my Performante. Love it.

 

You "leather is inferior to Alcantara" guys should watch that Nick Murray video. The wear he shows and an Alcantara wheel and shifter are quite ugly. I was on the fence about whether Alcantara was acceptable prior to watching that, now I'm not.

 

Same here. I just don't like the feel of the texture at all. As headliner, I don't touch/feel it so that's fine.

 

I have a Cayman GTS and spec'ed that with alcantara delete (except for alcantara headliner) and got full leather at no extra cost (good deal!) The problem I have with the leather is that it is so processed it might as well be quality synthetic material. I honestly have trouble appreciating what is leather and what is synthetic. I recently ordered a Carrera GTS and went with the standard interior, including alcantara seat middle and leather GT steering wheel. Hope I won't be disappointed.

PS do the 991.2 GTS models come with alcantara head liner as standard? I hope so.

 

Yeah, you don't want it on the steering wheel.

 

If Alcantara is creepy to you, you'll really be creeped out when find out where leather comes from.

 

That's a bizarre comment. I don't recall seeing an opinion in this thread about leather being better because it was made from an animal. Did I miss it?

I don't like leather better because it comes from an animal. I like it better because I think it looks better, feels better, smells better, and wears better than other options.

The good news for Porsche buyers is that you don't have to pick one or the other. You have options.

 

The interior of that Lambo reminds me of the van in Dumb and Dumber.

 

Alcantara reminds me of the crushed velour interior in my father's sedans from the 1970s, not good memories for the most part. I'm not a fan to say the least.

 

Prefer leather, generally, but see some advantages to Alcantara.

Its high-grip makes it a great call for steering wheels if longterm aesthetics aren't much of an issue (track car, race car...and I can even kind of like the worn out look it gets in that context). Shifters...I am less convinced, but then they do match. Its properties make it a smart call for dash tops, as there should be little if any glare or reflection. If I was redoing my 914 as a track car, the forward dash would almost certainly become Alcantara, and this is an area where Porsche could pay some more attention to. I see too many dash elements in the windshield too much of the time in the 981/991 era especially, and it only gets worse as dash tops get deeper and deeper. So I can see it as a perfectly fine addition to the offerings and options—as long as one understands what they are buying (and getting). Ditto for leather.

What I am really interested in these days is Sport-Tex. Almost ordered it, and came very close. I wonder how it will age (seems very tough), and how it will do on the second-hand market in terms of desirability.

 

68% polyester and 32% polyurethane

^^^^ This ^^^^^

All man-made polyester products pill over time, that's why Alcantara can look worn and gamey over time. Friction rubs is what causes the deterioration.

Leather, properly cared for, will last 4 x longer. Most people don't take care of their leather and then complain when it cracks out.

Suede and Alcantara are used in race cars, because its comfortable and provides grip. Racing teams are not concerned about longevity, they replace all worn parts on a regular basis.

 

Alcantara has Motorsports lineage, especially for Porsche. For those that are interested in emphasizing that aspect of owning a Porsche (count me in), Alcantara makes a statement in addition to it's physical properties.

For those that see their Porsche as more of a 'Grand Tourer' leather is certainly more of an appropriate choice. Those people generally also order automatic transmissions and sunroofs in their cars. Good for them. Their is no right or wrong way to spec out your personal dream car, but disparaging someone else's idea of what is 'right or wrong' reflects insecurity in your own choice.

I like Nick Murray, but he drives around with a dog in the front seat and a stuffed gorilla in the back seat. He's looking at the world through his own particular lens.

 

I, too, am very interested in hearing more abut this, as this option gives deviated stitching without an up-charge. Particularly wondering about its hardiness.