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Are you saying the Natural leather currently offered in Espresso and two-tone wears more than the standard leather?
I was under the impression that it was dyed all the way through and would actually wear better/longer.
As was I. That's how they define "Aniline dyed" leathers, and it's why I bought the first car I had with Natural leather. But mine both showed crazing in the seat cushion bolster and low-back bolster, and the crazing was white on a black seat. Indicating to me that Porsche's and my understanding of "dyed through" were not the same.
This experience was on 996 and 997-series cars -- don't know if that's changed on 991s. But they were using the "aniline dyed" terminology then as now.
I think you guys misread or misunderstood what Natural (aka Aniline dyed) leather is:
"The dyes used are clear and transparent chemicals that allow the grain structure of the leather to be seen. These dyes show the natural texture, but do not protect the leather from damage."
"Semi-aniline leather is produced through a very similar process to full-aniline, but has a thin protective top coat added to protect it from wear and staining. "
I think you guys misread or misunderstood what Natural (aka Aniline dyed) leather is:
"The dyes used are clear and transparent chemicals that allow the grain structure of the leather to be seen. These dyes show the natural texture, but do not protect the leather from damage."
"Semi-aniline leather is produced through a very similar process to full-aniline, but has a thin protective top coat added to protect it from wear and staining. "
Totally agree -- never thought it offered protection. But I've read on multiple occasions Porsche literature that stated/implied (not sure which) that the Natural leathers had a dying process that created color all the way through, like the difference in Corian synthetic countertops vs. Formica, where there's only a thin "veneer" of color on the outer surface. Thus, when the inevitable "damage" happens to Natural leather, such as a scratch or normal wear, it should still be colored inside on the newly visible portions. This language of Porsche's must have been read by multiple people because I've encountered several people who had a similar understanding, including rkwfxd above.
Glad I found this thread, I'm also speccing a 991.2 with an all Bordeuax Red leather interior and was curious how well the color stands up over use and time, especially getting discolored:
Also back with the 991.1 they had 2 red interiors -
the all red natural red interior (which was a cleaning
nightmare because natural leather is unprotected)
and the black-carrera red two-tone which is a protected
semi-aniline leather which looks stunning.
I believe the 'natural leather' used by PAG for its interiors is
also 'protected' for normal wear & tear use, including UV &
Infrared (heat). I think PAG, as most premium automakers,
will make sure that all their leather offerings (including their
top 'Natural leather'options) are not left 'unprotected'. This
includes minimizing the normal abrasive wear & tear of getting
in & out with blue jeans. The suppliers of automotive leathers
know well the exposure the leather, especially the more expensive
premium grade of 'Natural', will face during normal use in a cabin.
And PAG's biggest concern on this subject is to reduce their
warranty liabilities for the period after the car first gets sold.
From one of my old posts back in 2012:
Originally Posted by Z356
2) Leather Interior Choices - Part 1
First, let's talk about what leathers Porsche offers. You will
note that in the Configurator, they give you the following options:
a)Standard color
b)Special Leather
c)Two Tone
d)Natural/Special leather
e)Custom Colors
It seems for sure that the only 'Natural' leathers offered, on the
face of it, are 'Carrera Red' and 'Espresso'. So what are the
'un-natural' leathers being offered to us by Porsche?
Over at the 6speed forum, member 'jmmk' recently gave us a
very interesting tutorial which might help explain things better
for us.
"Leather is a starting point for a car manufacturer. With the base
leather, the leather is stretched and the outer layer is sanded off
and a new grain is embossed into it to make it more uniform. This
increases the porosity of the leather when the outside is sanded
off and it accepts color better. However, it doesn't hold up as well
unless a sealer is applied. So the "leather" interior is considerably
changed from its natural state. It is now thinner, uniform in both
grain and color, and sealed against UV and infrared damage from
the sun, making it suitable for an automobile use. Since it is
stretched thinner you don't notice that it is slightly stiffer. It
could be dark black or dark grey according to what the designer
wanted. Full leather has nothing to do with what kind of leather
is used, although the designer might specify a better grade if their
research indicates the consumer expects it with the cost upgrade.
Natural leather is not stretched. It is natural thickness and has
the natural grain still intact. It is tumble dyed in large drums
that constantly roll and knead it to get it to accept the color.
This softens it much like you would soften a dry chamois by
kneading it. It retains the natural, saddle-like leather smell
without adding synthetic aromas. The comfort, if you took
the time to compare it, is obvious to the educated rear end.
Even though less is done to cure leather this way, it is still
more expensive since you get fewer square feet of leather
out of a hide. The UV and infrared sealants are introduced
into the leather while it is tumbling in the dye soaked
drums and like the dye, is soaked all the way through
the leather rather than added with the sealant.
Additional leather options in a Porsche, beyond the full leather
option, show the skill and technology that Porsche craftsmen
are capable of. For leather air conditioner vents, the leather
is stretched almost paper thin to cover the plastic vanes of
the outlet. Also, the match between what is leather and what
is similar to leather is outstanding by automobile standards."
Over the years we have also heard the term 'aniline leather' to
signified what is referred to by 'jmmk' and Porsche as 'Natural'.
Wikipedia describes it as "Aniline leather is a type of leather dyed
exclusively with soluble dyes without covering the surface with a
topcoat paint or insoluble pigments. The resulting product retains
the hide's natural surface with the 'grain', i.e. visible pores, scars,
etc. of the complete original animal's skin structure. Originally,
the dyes used for this process were synthesized from aniline
through chemical reactions. These dyes used to be called 'aniline
dyes' or 'tar dyes'. In modern times, the dyes used are subject
to laws and regulations in many countries, and the use of certain
azo compounds is prohibited as there are reasons to assume health
risks. Typically, leather is dyed both for aesthetic reasons and to
conceal blemishes. The dye colours leather without producing the
uniform surface of pigmented leather. Any visible variations on the
surface of the undyed leather such as natural blemishes will remain
visible. There are different kinds of aniline leather, but the same
kinds of dyes are used in the process. The dyes used are clear and
transparent chemicals that allow the grain structure of the leather
to be seen. These dyes show the natural texture, but do not protect
the leather from damage. Aniline leather may be referred to as full
aniline or full sauvage leather to differentiate between this dye treatment
and variants. Semi-aniline leather is produced through a very similar
process to full-aniline, but has a thin protective top coat added to protect
it from wear and staining. Pull up aniline leather has additional oil or
wax applied to the leather to give it a distressed look".
So it seems that the 'standard' leather offerings from Porsche are
not 'natural', or 'aniline', or even 'semi-aniline'. These 'base' leathers
on the 991 include the colors 'Black', 'Platinum Grey', 'Yachting Blue'
and 'Luxor Beige'. Also not 'Natural' are these other offerings:
a) 'Special Leathers' in the colors 'Umber' and 'Agate Grey'; and
b)Two-Tone (BiColor) 'Agate Grey/Pebble Grey' and 'Black/Platinum Grey'!
Only 'Carrera Red' and 'Espresso' fit into this 'premium' or 'exclusive'
Natural / 'aniline' leather designation!
I believe that 'Custom Colors', which from now on I will simply call
'Leather to Sample', can be had in either 'base' leather (if particularly
colorful) or in 'Natural', if that particular leather grade is available in
the color you desire. 'Leather to Sample' is a seldom selected option
here in the US. It is more common to markets like the Middle East/
Gulf States. I will make it my business in the next few months to
inquire more on this subject. Personally, I find the standard 'black'
in the base leather as offered by Porsche not to be particularly desirable.
So I would like to know if they can provide us in 'Leather to Sample' a
deeper 'Black' leather in 'Natural' upscale grade that will be darker in
color & richer than the standard 'Black' offered. Others have commented
that the new standard 'black' seems to be a bit more 'charcoal' this year
than they remember in the recent 997.1 and 997.2 models. I am also
fascinated by the previous model's offering of 'Natural Brown' leather,
which was a beautiful color and of great quality! More about this when
I talk about 'Leather to Sample' on a future post on this thread.
Note that the leather colors for the new 991 are almost all new to the
911 model range. The only true carry over is 'Carrera Red' Natural leather.
I believe that the base black is slightly more 'charcoal' than in the outgoing
997, but I could be wrong. 'Agate Grey', 'Platinum Grey', 'Yachting Blue'
and 'Umber' are totally new offerings (one at least came from the Cayenne)!
'Luxor Beige' has apparently replaced 'Sand Beige', 'Umber' replaced 'Cocoa'*
and 'Espresso' Natural replaced 'Natural Brown'. Too bad this last one was
not kept! The Dual-Tones (BiColor) are all new to the range. Note they are
not 'Natural' leathers! Some have wondered why a Dual-Tone (BiColor)
'Black/Carrera Red' is not yet offered. I don't know the answer but note
there is a mismatch of grade quality given the 'standard' black with the
'natural' Carrera Red. Perhaps that is one of the reasons it is not yet offered!
There is the possibility of mix & matching via other 'Porsche Exclusive' options,
and we will talk about that on another day.
Colors of leather fall within the range of personal taste. I will not comment
on that subject, but I will explain in greater detail the new 'BiColors' in my
next post. I think these BiColors are some of the most interesting offerings
yet from Porsche and deserve particular attention as to what they offer.
Leather grade is not a matter of personal taste but of your budget! When
all possible, order the highest grade of 'Natural' or 'Aniline' leather you can
afford! I voted with my wallet. I ordered 'Carrera Red' Natural leather on
my Aqua Blue Metallic Spyder.
I think it's a beautiful and striking interior which has kept to this day some
of its original leather aroma! The quality of that 'Natural' leather is excellent
and highly recommended. I am also lucky to have a rare Porsche factory
leather interior on my well preserved 'Crystal Blue' 1970 911E Targa. That
'full' leather interior - door, front & rear seats, rear back and side panels -
still smells like leather some 42 years later on my particular 55K original
mile vehicle!
I have all red interior (except black floor mats) on my white 2014 4s with 81k miles on it and red and black interior on my black 2014 Cayenne Turbo S with 40k miles on it. Both interiors look like new.
Obviously I love the red!
11-22-2016, 10:51 AM
