What's up with all the nylon/suede lately? (aka alcantara)
10-11-2011, 12:08 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
What's up with all the nylon/suede lately? (aka alcantara)
Is it just me (probably is), but what is behind the trend to get rid of leather for alcantara or fake suede lately? I kind of like the look of the seat inserts, but it's nylon and polyester when it comes right down to it. I keep seeing a lot more alcantara covered steering wheels, consoles, you name it-- kind of reminds me of a velour interior in a old mercury or something like that... Is it going to look dated 10 years from now, maybe one of those "what were they thinking" moments in corvette designs and aftermarket items?
10-11-2011, 12:43 AM
#2
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Quality examples are nice. Great feel to it. A steering wheel done right, is sweet to hang on to. 
10-11-2011, 12:49 AM
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Pro
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Is it just me (probably is), but what is behind the trend to get rid of leather for alcantara or fake suede lately? I kind of like the look of the seat inserts, but it's nylon and polyester when it comes right down to it. I keep seeing a lot more alcantara covered steering wheels, consoles, you name it-- kind of reminds me of a velour interior in a old mercury or something like that... Is it going to look dated 10 years from now, maybe one of those "what were they thinking" moments in corvette designs and aftermarket items?
10-11-2011, 01:33 AM
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Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '11
OP, buddy just bought a new Centennial ZR1. Has all that stuff you don't like. I saw it, sat in it, and must say it looks very cool. He has an ebony interior with all that "fake" stuff, and red stitching. Nicest looking GM C6 interior I've ever seen. DSV and Apsis have cooler stuff, but for GM, a plus.
C7 needs to be better, but the 2012 GM C6 interior opportunities are a great step in the right direction.
C7 needs to be better, but the 2012 GM C6 interior opportunities are a great step in the right direction.
10-11-2011, 01:38 AM
#6
Team Owner
Sorry, disagree Alcantara is very, very nice. 
If you come to my house I will let you feel my steering wheel................when it finally gets here.
My wifes wheel is 1/2 Alcantara, mine is going to be 4/5 Alcantara.
If you come to my house I will let you feel my steering wheel................when it finally gets here.
My wifes wheel is 1/2 Alcantara, mine is going to be 4/5 Alcantara.
10-11-2011, 01:49 AM
#7
Alcantara is sweet. BMW uses it on certain M models/packages. My daily has alcantara seat trim and door panel trim and its pretty awesome.
It grips well and is also stain and wear resistant. Its really good stuff.
Looking forward to replacing a few of the parts in my Z with alcantara trim. Steering wheel and shift **** being the first on the list.
It grips well and is also stain and wear resistant. Its really good stuff.
Looking forward to replacing a few of the parts in my Z with alcantara trim. Steering wheel and shift **** being the first on the list.
10-11-2011, 02:14 AM
#8
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Yeah, I like it as an accent like on the door panel insert or seat centers, but I keep wondering if it's just a short term trend or fad that might look out of place down the road? Like everything, sometimes too much is just that, recently saw a full interior, dash etc all alcantara and it kind of looked gawdy IMO. I also laughed when the owner was trying to explain that it is leather from Italy! (must have nylon cows there now?) Guess I'm just getting old! (not even 40 yet)
Last edited by 68sixspeed; 10-11-2011 at 02:18 AM.
10-11-2011, 02:20 AM
#9
Team Owner
Yeah, I like it as an accent like on the door panel insert or seat centers, but I keep wondering if it's just a short term trend or fad that might look out of place down the road? Like everything, sometimes too much is just that, recently saw a full interior, dash etc all alcantara and it kind of looked gawdy IMO. I also laughed when the owner was trying to explain that it is leatherfrom Italy! (must have nylon cows there now?) Guess I'm just getting old! (not even 40 yet)
10-11-2011, 08:39 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
OP, buddy just bought a new Centennial ZR1. Has all that stuff you don't like. I saw it, sat in it, and must say it looks very cool. He has an ebony interior with all that "fake" stuff, and red stitching. Nicest looking GM C6 interior I've ever seen. DSV and Apsis have cooler stuff, but for GM, a plus.
C7 needs to be better, but the 2012 GM C6 interior opportunities are a great step in the right direction.
C7 needs to be better, but the 2012 GM C6 interior opportunities are a great step in the right direction.
I’m very impressed by the 3LZ interior in my Centennial…BIG improvement by GM.
The Alcantara on the seats has a much better “feel” than the leather in my ’09 3LT coupe had.
10-11-2011, 08:40 AM
#12
Safety Car
I have a half Alcantara half leather steering wheel and center console and love them. Alcantara doesn't transfer heat or coldness like leather does and that makes it a plus for me and our very cold fall days and our extremely hot summer days. Currently I'm looking to do my seats and door panels in the same way.
10-11-2011, 08:48 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
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my new seat covers are alcantara in the middle section and absolutely love how it locks me in place compared to all leather! Exactly what I was looking for.... If it's the high end stuff it also wears extremely well and looks great for years...... 
Last edited by cthusker; 10-11-2011 at 08:51 AM. Reason: add picture
10-11-2011, 09:03 AM
#15
Safety Car
10-11-2011, 10:14 AM
#16
Melting Slicks
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10-11-2011, 10:24 AM
#17
Team Owner
It is not a bad look from what I have seen as seat inserts, steering wheels,etc. but I prefer the looks of real good quality leather.
10-11-2011, 10:44 AM
#19
Melting Slicks
Its the same as micro-fibre you find on furniture from Crate & Barrel, Ikea etc
Its a trend
Even Lambo does it.
Will not outlast leather.
Its a woven material...and ALL materials eventually "relax" as threads stretch, lengthen
Its will get baggy, and pucker, and stain.
So, will Supermodels skin...but you aint gonna stop hit'n it
Its a trend
Even Lambo does it.
Will not outlast leather.
Its a woven material...and ALL materials eventually "relax" as threads stretch, lengthen
Its will get baggy, and pucker, and stain.
So, will Supermodels skin...but you aint gonna stop hit'n it
10-11-2011, 10:57 AM
#20
Melting Slicks
I'm not a fan of this "trend" at all. Humans sweat, spill things, transfer dirt from their hands and clothes to both leather and "suede" (either real or fake).
Alcantra or even "Real" suede is trendy, but very hard to keep clean and looking new. Leather is tough, easy to clean and treat, and it's long-lasting.
I love the new Centennial Edition Corvettes for 2012, but I'd spend the money and replace the steering wheel and seats with real leather.
Leather = better.
Alcantra or even "Real" suede is trendy, but very hard to keep clean and looking new. Leather is tough, easy to clean and treat, and it's long-lasting.
I love the new Centennial Edition Corvettes for 2012, but I'd spend the money and replace the steering wheel and seats with real leather.
Leather = better.