Alcantara : pros and cons?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
Now that was just nonsense. You can debate wear on Alcantara, but Alcantara has significantly better grip... that/s why its the bottom surface of racing gloves.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
I seem to be all alone here, but I have Alcantara in my GTS and I really like it. I live inland from LA where it gets HOT in the summer. I can't count the number of times I've singed my legs or hands when getting into the car. Alcantara doesn't get hot in the summer, and (much less of a problem here) doesn't feel cold in the winter. I've only had my car for one year (15k miles so far) but I see no detectable wear. My Panamera is full leather and, if I had my choice, it too would have an Alcantara interior.
Even when it's not hot, the seats grip better and the steering wheel feels better in my hand than a leather wheel. I have full leather in my Panny and I've had two previous 911's with leather, so I do have a basis for comparison.
YMMV.
DMoore
'11 GTS
'10 Panamera 4S
Even when it's not hot, the seats grip better and the steering wheel feels better in my hand than a leather wheel. I have full leather in my Panny and I've had two previous 911's with leather, so I do have a basis for comparison.
YMMV.
DMoore
'11 GTS
'10 Panamera 4S
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 505
From: Naples FL
you will LOVE it on the steering wheel - my fav option on my car (but glad someone else paid for it @ $1000)
it has shown no signs of war (steering wheel or shifter) - my car is DD, MY08, though not driven as much as I'd like
it has shown no signs of war (steering wheel or shifter) - my car is DD, MY08, though not driven as much as I'd like
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
It has been almost 3 years on my GT3 -- which has Alcantara on steering wheel, seats, shift ****, hand brake lever, door handle, etc.
The Alcantara has been holding up very well, virtually no wear nor tear. All I did was to gently wipe it once a while with a clean & soft 'bath mitt' (yes, that's the trick). Super easy to maintain.
One thing I like about Alcantara is that it won't crack under dry weather nor direct Sun heat, even if I park my car outside all day during the Summer. On my other car (a Mercedes E350) with leather, I need to moisturize the leather once every while to prevent it from cracking.
And I guess, originally, one main benefit of Alcantara is its fire retardant nature. Plus other minor pros like its relatively lightweight, grippy surface, etc., etc.
I was not sure about Alcantara before I got my GT3, yet now I liked it and would order it again in my future cars.
Regards,
The Alcantara has been holding up very well, virtually no wear nor tear. All I did was to gently wipe it once a while with a clean & soft 'bath mitt' (yes, that's the trick). Super easy to maintain.
One thing I like about Alcantara is that it won't crack under dry weather nor direct Sun heat, even if I park my car outside all day during the Summer. On my other car (a Mercedes E350) with leather, I need to moisturize the leather once every while to prevent it from cracking.
And I guess, originally, one main benefit of Alcantara is its fire retardant nature. Plus other minor pros like its relatively lightweight, grippy surface, etc., etc.
I was not sure about Alcantara before I got my GT3, yet now I liked it and would order it again in my future cars.
Regards,
Last edited by axhoaxho; Apr 5, 2012 at 04:48 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 365
Likes: 39
From: Tennessee
I had it in my 01S4 seats and liked it for grip and temp control but disliked how it wore over time. Don't know if the Porsche fabric is the same material. I prefer the Porsche ventilated and heated seats to the Audi alcantara.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
It's NOT an opposing view, opposing view is if you like black and I like silver... GRIP can actually be measured, and your statement that Alcantara has less grip is either based on your misinformation, or you were trying to misinform people and it is basically incorrect!
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Alcantara on the seats and seatbacks grips like nobody's business. My GTS has simply the best seats I have ever sat in. Also like it on the handbrake and door inserts. Though I probably prefer leather on the steering wheel simply because the alcantara needs cleaning more often from my grubby hands.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 74
From: Napa Valley, CA
It's NOT an opposing view, opposing view is if you like black and I like silver... GRIP can actually be measured, and your statement that Alcantara has less grip is either based on your misinformation, or you were trying to misinform people and it is basically incorrect!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 8
From: Texas
It's NOT an opposing view, opposing view is if you like black and I like silver... GRIP can actually be measured, and your statement that Alcantara has less grip is either based on your misinformation, or you were trying to misinform people and it is basically incorrect!
First you call what I say "nonsense". Now you claim I'm trying to "misinform" people. Just WTF is your problem?
For ME...when on the track, wearing gloves, the grip on the steering wheel is good. When on the street, with bare hands, it is not as good as perforated leather. Again, this is MY experience. Simple enough?
Any other controversial subjects you feel the need to be an ******* about? Just let me know, I'll keep to myself on those.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,435
Likes: 821
From: Central New Jersey
Seems to me they both have +s and -s and it comes down to personal preference.
I think the alacantra is cool both in look and feel. I find it very grippy. Leather is, well, leather. It's beautiful too and the seats are not as grippy which for the street is I think more livable. My GTS has full leather in all red which was an expensive option which is what I wanted. For me I love the look, feel an smell of leather. Again it's personal preference.
I think the alacantra is cool both in look and feel. I find it very grippy. Leather is, well, leather. It's beautiful too and the seats are not as grippy which for the street is I think more livable. My GTS has full leather in all red which was an expensive option which is what I wanted. For me I love the look, feel an smell of leather. Again it's personal preference.
