Evolution of automotive interior materials: leather/fabric

Leather: The Luxurious Sense of Security

In fact, natural leather has been used in automotive interiors much earlier than fabrics. The use of genuine leather, especially calfskin, for car interiors was once universally recognized as a symbol of luxury and nobility worldwide. Today, genuine leather is no longer exclusive to high-end luxury models, though there are still differences in coverage area and application. Some lower-end models now also feature genuine leather wrapped around parts like the steering wheel and armrests. Among the various types of genuine leather—cowhide, sheepskin, and pigskin—cowhide is the most commonly used in automotive interior design due to its durability and pleasant tactile feel.

Despite its appeal, genuine leather remains costly. With the advancement of technology, synthetic leather has emerged. Modern artificial leather now closely mimics real leather in texture and quality, while fabrics made from ultra-fine fibers, such as faux suede, have also become increasingly popular.

 

 

Two Popular Interior Materials: Nappa and Alcantara

Two popular materials in car interiors today are Nappa leather and Alcantara. Car enthusiasts or those familiar with high-end cars will likely have heard of these materials, as they are typically found in luxury models. If these materials are an optional upgrade, they often come at a hefty price. However, it’s important to note that while Nappa and Alcantara are often more expensive than real leather, they are not actually made from genuine leather.

 

Let’s first discuss Alcantara. Alcantara is a synthetic material that resembles suede, often referred to as "faux suede" or "split leather." It is much lighter than real leather, which is why Lamborghini was able to reduce the weight of its supercars by 5 kg by using Alcantara. Developed by Toray Industries in the 1970s, Alcantara is a fiber material made from 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane, and is considered an artificial composite material. It has a very high friction coefficient, which makes it resistant to slipping even in intense driving conditions, making it ideal for covering steering wheels or sports seats. This feature is particularly important for high-performance cars, such as the Golf R and the McLaren 650S, which both use Alcantara in their seats and steering wheels. Another advantage of Alcantara is that it is highly resistant to wear and stains, making it easy to maintain unless damaged.

Nappa, on the other hand, refers to a type of process that gives leather a smooth, supple texture, not a specific material. Nappa leather products are divided into several grades:

Grain Leather: Grain leather is a high-end material in the leather category, with a natural waxy surface. The clearer the grain pattern, the higher the grade of the leather.

Soft Leather:
This is a mid-range material that is quite soft, but lacks the glossy finish of grain leather, which makes it slightly cheaper.

Litchi Grain Cowhide:
Litchi grain cowhide can be divided into top-grain and split-grain versions. Top-grain litchi leather is a type of soft cowhide, but the quality of top-grain leather can vary, so it is considered mid-range. Split-grain litchi leather is made from leather scraps mixed with polyethylene and then pressed into a mold with a litchi grain pattern, which is then dyed. This type of leather is thicker and does not wrinkle easily when pressed.

So, when you see the Nappa option listed in a car's configuration, don't get too excited—it could be made from grain leather, corrected leather, or even split leather, and in some cases, it may not even be real leather. Aside from Nappa, other leather names like Dakota, Valonea, Nevada, and HANS REINKE refer to different types of leather with unique selection standards and tanning processes. These materials feel different and tend to be pricey, which is why you rarely see them in economy models.

Fabric: More Than Just Simple Material

Since the 1950s, PVC-coated fabrics began to be widely used in automotive interiors. This material could be processed into various colors and surface textures, making it quite fashionable at the time as a composite textile material. PVC continued to be used in regular automotive interiors until the 1970s when the overall standard of living improved, and people began to demand more comfort from their vehicles.

Starting in the 1970s, nylon began to be used on a large scale in automotive interior fabrics, with various weaves and colors. Nylon was used for nearly 30 years in car interiors because, during that time, car windows were relatively small and almost vertical, so the temperature variation inside the car was not as extreme as in today’s cars. Consumers also focused more on car performance and paid less attention to interior materials.

In the mid-1970s, polyester began to emerge as the dominant fabric material in automotive interiors, and it remains the most commonly used fabric for car interiors today, accounting for 90% of the global market. Polyester has many unmatched advantages compared to other textile fibers. However, during the dyeing process, UV-absorbing chemicals are often added to ensure that the fabric meets durability standards for light resistance.