Alcantara, what's it like and how well does it keep?

[Monty Python]

Genuine alcantara is made by Toray and Mitsui - how you find this out for a specific vehicle is beyond me.

[4evernewbie]

Mine always cleans up good but has become a tiny bit baggy with age (38k 1999 Impreza)
Paul

[Sid's Dad]

There can be a huge difference between genuine Alcantara and some shonky fake suede that gets sold as "alcantara". Look for the brand name sewn onto the seat cover in a discreet place, complete with the hologram.

I have some high-end German furniture upholstered in Alcantara and ten years on I can confirm its robustness and clean ability. It's had all kinds of stuff splashed and spilled on it, and it comes up like new with a damp microfiber cloth and a Hoover. Fantastic stuff - much classier than most of the shiny ste that gets sold as leather these days.

[Lucas Ayde]

kambites said:

I think half leather, half Alcantara is about the best way to cover seats. The Alcantara centre provides good slip-resistance and doesn't get excessively hot or cold, while the leather bolsters provide excellent wear-resistance.

Lotus, in their infinite wisdom, fitted the two materials the other way around on my car.

Yes, Alcantara centre, leather bolsters on my car. Looks great, no slipping around on the base under lateral forces, no need to heat in the Winter and doesn't get hot/gather sweat in the Summer.

I'd take that setup any day over full leather but it probably hurts trade-in value slightly as people always think full leather is that bit more prestigious.

[p1tse]

you're right many people think full leather is better
at times alcantara cost more than leather options too?

[Lucas Ayde]

p1tse said:

you're right many people think full leather is better
at times alcantara cost more than leather options too?

I don't think the half/half ever costs more than full leather though it is sometimes a premium option on cars that come with cloth seats as standard.

On the other hand, with Audi at least where full leather is standard the half/half is often a 'no-cost' option (no discount), even though where the half/half is standard, the full leather costs a few hundred quid more ...

[Justayellowbadge]

Monty Python said:

Genuine alcantara is made by Toray and Mitsui - how you find this out for a specific vehicle is beyond me.

The genuine stuff tends to be tagged as such.

[sa_20v]

magpie21 said:

I had my TVR completely re-trimmed in alcantara (including carpets)a year ago. It has had heavy use since and it always amazes me how easy it is to take care of and getting looking brand new again. A damp microfibre cloth is all that is needed to pick up dust and get the fabric looking like new again. Takes far less time to get looking good again than a leather interior which needs balm etc to stop it from cracking.

Very nice. Can I ask how much and where you got this done?

[p1tse]

Lucas Ayde said:

p1tse said:

you're right many people think full leather is better
at times alcantara cost more than leather options too?

I don't think the half/half ever costs more than full leather though it is sometimes a premium option on cars that come with cloth seats as standard.

On the other hand, with Audi at least where full leather is standard the half/half is often a 'no-cost' option (no discount), even though where the half/half is standard, the full leather costs a few hundred quid more ...

I seen an old brochure where alcantara was extra over standard leather

[magpie21]

sa_20v said:

magpie21 said:

I had my TVR completely re-trimmed in alcantara (including carpets)a year ago. It has had heavy use since and it always amazes me how easy it is to take care of and getting looking brand new again. A damp microfibre cloth is all that is needed to pick up dust and get the fabric looking like new again. Takes far less time to get looking good again than a leather interior which needs balm etc to stop it from cracking.

Very nice. Can I ask how much and where you got this done?

Cheers, it cost best part of 4.5k but the workmanship is incredible. It cost so much as I had a load of interior anodising done, had the dash remodelled, changed the belts and had the bot re-carpeted also. To just get the cabin retrimmed in Alcantara with out all the extras I had would be far less. I had it done by Dave the Trimmer who's based in Milton Keynes http://www.davethetrimmer.com/ and I would definitely recommend him. Last time I was in he had an Aston Lagonda that was being completely refurbed for a client in the middle east and before that he had a DB5 so he knows his stuff!

[Axionknight]

It looked spot on in my 1995 Volvo 850 T5R.

Also looks great in a friends 58 plate Civic TypeR, he cleans it regularly but I am not sure what with. But I'm not sure if that stuff is the real deal??

[underphil]

p1tse said:

Lucas Ayde said:

p1tse said:

you're right many people think full leather is better
at times alcantara cost more than leather options too?

I don't think the half/half ever costs more than full leather though it is sometimes a premium option on cars that come with cloth seats as standard.

On the other hand, with Audi at least where full leather is standard the half/half is often a 'no-cost' option (no discount), even though where the half/half is standard, the full leather costs a few hundred quid more ...

I seen an old brochure where alcantara was extra over standard leather

yes - is a cost option over the standard leather in some of the really expensive cars