[S2K+1LE]

Originally Posted by sdmcss

Just an FYI Alcantara is Suede.

Alcantara is made in Italy and is the European word for Suede made by Okamoto...

The difference really being other than the terminology, Alcantara is a form of Ultrasuede (Higher end Suede family) being slightly superior form of suede by adding an automotive Eurospec Flame-retardant in the material.

Incorrect. Alcantara is a marketing name for synthetic microfiber "suede-like" materials, there is nothing natural about it.

SUEDE is sueded leather, which is a process of treating a natural leather material typically sourced from the softer belly leathers.

Suede:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suede

Alcantara:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcantara_(material)

Additionally, lol, Alcantara is not "the European word for suede" as "European" is not a language.

Gigantic differences, hopefully this clears things up for the future.

[SS 1LE]

You wouldn't want actual suede in your car anyway, much too hard to take car of. 99.9% of automotive "suedes" are synthetic Alcantara or Miko (name brands), which is actually a good thing.

[WhyUMad1LE]

Are there any cars that still have real suede in the interior? Maybe Aston/Bentley/Rolls I guess.

Sorry for the misleading title.

[aa406079]

Originally Posted by WhyUMad1LE

Are there any cars that still have real suede in the interior? Maybe Aston/Bentley/Rolls I guess.

Sorry for the misleading title.

real suede is far inferior to synthetic these days

[Ironhide]

If anybody happens across the part number for the 1LE suede dash (presumably available now with the 2SS), would they mind posting it here?

[SK GT]

Are the suede kneepads people are picking made to be the accessory ones for these 1LEs?

[Ironhide]

Originally Posted by SK GT

Are the suede kneepads people are picking made to be the accessory ones for these 1LEs?

The ones I ordered are a genuine/OEM GM accessory, if that helps. I don't think if you order the 1LE w/them they're any different, since there is only one set of suede knee pads you can order from GM for the Camaro. Could be wrong.

[sdmcss]

Originally Posted by S2K+1LE

Incorrect. Alcantara is a marketing name for synthetic microfiber "suede-like" materials, there is nothing natural about it.

SUEDE is sueded leather, which is a process of treating a natural leather material typically sourced from the softer belly leathers.

Suede:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suede

Alcantara:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcantara_(material)

Additionally, lol, Alcantara is not "the European word for suede" as "European" is not a language.

Gigantic differences, hopefully this clears things up for the future.

Here are the Automotive "Suede" definitions. Since Suede (Leather) is not allowed in vehicles due it not being flame resistant (Eurospec Standards). Ultrasuede has the flame resistant material it has become the standard to meet specification. People here in the states assume that as "Suede" and Ultrasuede" are interchangeable.

Although, "European" is not a language the Europeans have their own standards and terms in the Automotive Industry. Eurospec standards work with German, Italian and French companies create terms to create standards that are far superior over the US DOT standards here in the states and they enforce it for all European countries (That is why I say its a European term although its specifically Italian).

Suede is not allowed in cars since Erospec vehicles are not allowed to have an "non-flame resistant" material (ENFIRO FP7:226563 by the University of Amsterdam).

But here is the thing that you are missing. Ultrasuede and Alacantara are still classified as Suede...although it is not traditional suede (We are not talking about UGGS). Just like when you would buy a car with Leather or Pleather the car manufactures would still classify it as leather even if it was fake leather... Same here.

Here are some articles you should read:
http://jalopnik.com/what-the-hell-is...way-1604799947

http://bestride.com/news/technology/...t-it-in-my-car

and if you want a wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultras..._vs._Alcantara

Alacantara is not a "marketing term" it is the Italian term for Ultrasuede. Funny enough when you buy a car in europe you check the box for suede or Alacantara, Alacantara is what you get...
You will also notice that this thread is called "Suede Trim for 2018" even though it is we all know it is not Suede...its Alacantara.

[rootus]

Originally Posted by sdmcss

Alacantara is not a "marketing term" it is the Italian term for Ultrasuede.

Yeah, in much the same way kleenex means tissue. The term originates with the commercial product, not the other way around.

[S2K+1LE]

Originally Posted by sdmcss

Here are the Automotive "Suede" definitions. Since Suede (Leather) is not allowed in vehicles due it not being flame resistant (Eurospec Standards). Ultrasuede has the flame resistant material it has become the standard to meet specification. People here in the states assume that as "Suede" and Ultrasuede" are interchangeable.

As I stated in my previous reply, which you quoted, Ultrasuede/Alcantara/Miko etc are NOT SUEDE. You're confirming this.

Although, "European" is not a language the Europeans have their own standards and terms in the Automotive Industry. Eurospec standards work with German, Italian and French companies create terms to create standards that are far superior over the US DOT standards here in the states and they enforce it for all European countries (That is why I say its a European term although its specifically Italian).

It's a brand name, it isn't a "European" or "Italian" term. Brand name.

Now, I'm intimately familiar with the TUV as well as the EURO designations much in the same way I'm familiar with our own emissions and compliance standards, UL listings, etc. It isn't complicated, and everything is quite detailed. It's all detailed in English, btw.

But here is the thing that you are missing. Ultrasuede and Alacantara are still classified as Suede...

They aren't. Your own reference to one being flame retardant and another not should help you out here...

although it is not traditional suede (We are not talking about UGGS).

Correct. It is a SYNTHETIC material, Suede is sueded leather which is a natural material. This is why they aren't the same.

You do realize that your very own argument against flame resistance proves everything I'm saying correct, don't you? Of course you do lol.

Just like when you would buy a car with Leather or Pleather the car manufactures would still classify it as leather even if it was fake leather... Same here.

No, they do not. This is why you will read things such as "leather seating surfaces." This means the seating surface is leather, not the bolsters/back/headrest/anything else. Seating Surface. They actually aren't legally allowed to misrepresent product or falsely advertise, which is why they simply do not do that.

Here are some articles you should read:
http://jalopnik.com/what-the-hell-is...way-1604799947

http://bestride.com/news/technology/...t-it-in-my-car

and if you want a wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultras..._vs._Alcantara

Just curious, but did you plan on reading any of those? They very clearly state in plain terms that Alcantara IS NOT SUEDE and is not made from leather, instead from man made materials such as polyester. Very clear.

Alacantara is not a "marketing term" it is the Italian term for Ultrasuede. Funny enough when you buy a car in europe you check the box for suede or Alacantara, Alacantara is what you get...

Again, manufacturers don't do that. BMW doesn't offer "suede headliner" in the 7 series in Europe or the US, they offer Alcantara. YOUR ARTICLES THAT YOU LINKED also very clearly denote the marketing prowess of the term Alcantara:

Now, you'll notice some interesting things in that description up there, specifically that Alcantara is referred to as the "Italian sister fabric." That's because the fundamental difference between Alcantara and Ultrasuede is that Alcantara is made in Italy. That's really it. It has a fancier name and a more automotive-luxury-seeming country of origin, but, really, your Alcantara steering wheel on your AMG is an Ultrasuede steering wheel.

Having Ultrasuede made in Italy under a more luxurious-sounding name was a great idea. In fact, it won Okamato an award:

I really think you should take the time to read the articles you linked and suggested I read, because again they are very well defending exactly what I'm saying here. Alcantara IS a marketing term, whether you choose to believe it or not, which is not rooted in the "European" or "Italian" languages whatsoever. It's all spelled out in YOUR links, go literlize yourself!

I hope this clarifies some things, as what you're saying here as well as your articles very clearly back up exactly what I'm saying.

[Twoblindsheep]

sorry about taking over OPs question but does anymore have the part numbers for the Suede knee pads and the center part?

[sdmcss]

Originally Posted by S2K+1LE

I really think you should take the time to read the articles you linked and suggested I read, because again they are very well defending exactly what I'm saying here. Alcantara IS a marketing term, whether you choose to believe it or not, which is not rooted in the "European" or "Italian" languages whatsoever. It's all spelled out in YOUR links, go literlize yourself!

I hope this clarifies some things, as what you're saying here as well as your articles very clearly back up exactly what I'm saying.

I did read the articles and I learned some stuff from them.

*NOTE: My whole point just as the thread states "Suede Trim for 2018" when we all know it is Alcantara not Suede. The fact is that people are using it interchangeably. You pointed out that it is not the same (Suede vs Alcantara) Then why do we use both terms interchangably? Why does Chevy call out suede and then use Alcantara in their catalogs? That was the only point on my second post above! Correcting what I said on the my first post on pg. 2 (I was wrong at first).

Also. You said:

Originally Posted by S2K+1LE;

No, they do not. This is why you will read things such as "leather seating surfaces." This means the seating surface is leather, not the bolsters/back/headrest/anything else. Seating Surface. They actually aren't legally allowed to misrepresent product or falsely advertise, which is why they simply do not do that.

I only brought up the Pleather thing because it happened to me... Click to see how Toyota has been doing this for years.

Just curious... Suede is not Alcantara but:


It is quite funny that you would get triggered over a piece of fabric. Although you did teach me some stuff and thank you for that, no need to get mad. Especially behind a keyboard...

Being from Rome and speak full Italian and lived there for 17 years I do know that "Alcantara" is Italian (My mother used to call small soft towels Alcantara). Even if the material was originally made in Japan....the trademark belongs to an Italian company that has tradmarked Alcantara as an Italian Term. The Term "Alcantara" was added to the Italian dictionary meaning "Artificial Suede." It is an Italian term atleast ever since I was born or could remember.


I am just learning just like you are. You brought up some valid points. Thank you for informing me, but chill! No one is attacking you...

[sdmcss]

Originally Posted by Twoblindsheep

sorry about taking over OPs question but does anymore have the part numbers for the Suede knee pads and the center part?

I would double check with ThatGMpartsguy but here is the link to his site with the Knee Pads.

What do you mean by center part? Center Console Lid?

[SK GT]

So the suede kneepads have black stitching? Just in my opinion but wouldn't the leather(pleather?) ones match better with the white/grey stitching? I see that stitching in my shift boot, seats, dash, and door panels already.