Suede is really microfiber
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 308
Likes: 22
From: Coral Springs Florida
Suede is really microfiber
Just wondering if everyone realizes that the suede in
today's vettes is not real suede? it is a microfiber.
I am not saying that this is bad, as it might be better
than real suede.
I mean Porsche does the same thing.
They have their fake suede and call it Alcantera.
I know allot of Porsche people bought not
knowing it was not real suede.
To be perfectly honest , i was one of those people..
rgds
today's vettes is not real suede? it is a microfiber.
I am not saying that this is bad, as it might be better
than real suede.
I mean Porsche does the same thing.
They have their fake suede and call it Alcantera.
I know allot of Porsche people bought not
knowing it was not real suede.
To be perfectly honest , i was one of those people..
rgds
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 230
Likes: 79
From: Plano TX
Ah the marketing folks, gotta love 'em. Yes real suede is a nightmare and alcantara is the best of the cheap stuff. I have alcantara on a motorcycle seat and love it. It wears well and looks great. If it was real suede or leather, well, the disappointment would be noted.
Think of alcantara as the Victoria Secret's of automotive trim.
Think of alcantara as the Victoria Secret's of automotive trim.
Last edited by geraldschumann; Dec 13, 2016 at 02:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Ah the marketing folks, gotta love 'em. Yes real suede is a nightmare and alcantara is the best of the cheap stuff. I have alcantara on a motorcycle seat and love it. It wears well and looks great. If it was real suede or leather, well, the disapointed would be noted.
Think of alcantara as the Victoria Secret's of automotive trim.
Think of alcantara as the Victoria Secret's of automotive trim.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
Suede, even the name for interior trim furnishings, was a turn off to me. Suede sports jackets were in 35 - 40 years ago.
Microfiber? I like very much in the cars seats I've seen it in.
Both my vehicles are full leather, or, leather seating surfaces, with vinyl trim.
Microfiber? I like very much in the cars seats I've seen it in.
Both my vehicles are full leather, or, leather seating surfaces, with vinyl trim.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 129
From: CA
Just wondering if everyone realizes that the suede in
today's vettes is not real suede? it is a microfiber.
I am not saying that this is bad, as it might be better
than real suede.
I mean Porsche does the same thing.
They have their fake suede and call it Alcantera.
I know allot of Porsche people bought not
knowing it was not real suede.
To be perfectly honest , i was one of those people..
rgds
today's vettes is not real suede? it is a microfiber.
I am not saying that this is bad, as it might be better
than real suede.
I mean Porsche does the same thing.
They have their fake suede and call it Alcantera.
I know allot of Porsche people bought not
knowing it was not real suede.
To be perfectly honest , i was one of those people..
rgds
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 243
Likes: 52
From: Wake Forest NC
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,934
Likes: 4,257
From: NC
Just wondering if everyone realizes that the suede in
today's vettes is not real suede? it is a microfiber.
I am not saying that this is bad, as it might be better
than real suede.
I mean Porsche does the same thing.
They have their fake suede and call it Alcantera.
I know allot of Porsche people bought not
knowing it was not real suede.
To be perfectly honest , i was one of those people..
rgds
today's vettes is not real suede? it is a microfiber.
I am not saying that this is bad, as it might be better
than real suede.
I mean Porsche does the same thing.
They have their fake suede and call it Alcantera.
I know allot of Porsche people bought not
knowing it was not real suede.
To be perfectly honest , i was one of those people..
rgds
Jimmy
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,221
Likes: 4,345
From: Chirper Island
The "suede" in the trim is different than "suede" in the seat inserts.
The seat inserts are more of a napped fabric, and the trim is more like real suede in texture and appearance. The seat inserts are much more forgiving and easy to clean than the trim. I drive with the top down whenever possible, and the trim on the back of the visors has bleached slightly, and there a few areas (where elbows are placed) that have matted slightly, as well.
After 60,000 miles, I wish all the trim was the same fabric as the seat inserts.
The seat inserts are more of a napped fabric, and the trim is more like real suede in texture and appearance. The seat inserts are much more forgiving and easy to clean than the trim. I drive with the top down whenever possible, and the trim on the back of the visors has bleached slightly, and there a few areas (where elbows are placed) that have matted slightly, as well.
After 60,000 miles, I wish all the trim was the same fabric as the seat inserts.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 13
It all comes from Toray a Japanese company. Alcantera = Ultrasuede. Alcantera is from a Spanish company Alcantera SpA. that is a joint venture of Toray and ENI. Ultrasuede is from Toray.
The first car with Alcantera/Ultrasuede was the FIAT X1/9 and it still managed to become a cool material.
It is fully synthetic made from polyester and polyurethane. You would not want real suede in a car.
The first car with Alcantera/Ultrasuede was the FIAT X1/9 and it still managed to become a cool material.
It is fully synthetic made from polyester and polyurethane. You would not want real suede in a car.
