Tesla drops Alcantara headliners from Model S/X?

[jelloslug]

It depends on where it is used, though. Apples and oranges. You are comparing Alcantara to leather. The real comparison there would be Alcantara and Tesla's weaved cloth textile. If you made a steering wheel out of Tesla's base weaved cloth headliner material, sorry new Premium Textile, I guarantee you it would be even worse in a steering wheel after a track day.

In a headliner, Alcantara in reality is much more easy to clean than a weaved cloth. In a steering wheel any textile or suede is of course more prone to what you say than leather, but Alcantara much less so than many other synthetic materials. OTOH, Alcantara is less susceptible to scratches or slips than leather, so some may like it even in a steering wheel... (Just wash it.)

I wouldn't personally want an Alcantara steering wheel, nor on the seat base which is subject to heavy wear in a car (Alcantara can frizz from heavy wear over many years on tight surfaces that get much wear). But on doors and headliners (even B pillars, where Tesla's leather scratches oh so easily on the Model X), Alcantara is IMO much more durable and easier to clean than leather, let alone some weaved cloth...

Alcantara is one of the few materials that I've seen that actually, when washed from time to time (it is water washable!), actually looks like new for years. It is quite amazing. I have couches made of the stuff that are nearing the first decade mark and they still look brand new after a wash. Leather by now would have significant patina or likely some scratching and usual textiles would have some staining that wouldn't come off, but not Alcantara. There are literally no scratches, stains or wear after soon a decade of daily use. It doesn't look worn out either.

Are you sure you are not just imaging that and they were not just completely worn out in a few months?

 

[jelloslug]

For those claiming the textile material it's difficult to clean, are we talking about the headliner or just textile material? If it's the former, how often does one really need to clean the headliner?

Well, I often take my portable blender with me to make smoothies on the way to work (with AP on of course) and I seemingly forget the lid more often than not so things can get a bit messy...

 

[johnster007]

Just spoke with rep at SC and rep from Fremont and both confirmed Ultra Suede will remain in S and X. Good new, I think. Anyone hearing differently?

 

[hulk2k17]

The problem I had was the b pillars. I try to keep my car pristine and am very careful but they still got marks and smudges. One of the worst ones happened when I was having new tires put on. They paid to have it "cleaned" but it was still noticeable. Again, this was with a previous (BMW) car that had the textile material.

How would changing tires get your interior b pillars dirty? Were they doing other maintenance on the inside as well?

 

[doubleohwhat]

How would changing tires get your interior b pillars dirty?

Dunno. I was in the lounge waiting. My guess is that someone with dirty hands reached fro the seat-belt or something.

 

[EV-lutioin]

I have had Alcantara on upholstered furniture for more than 20 years by now, and it still looks like new. The automotive grade is supposed to be even better - more UV resistant, and a few other properties that decrease wear. I'm really glad my car has the Alcantara roof liner and upper dash. It's beautiful to look at.


Those are not smudge marks. Alcantara reacts to touch similarly to suede. If you'd gently wipe your hand over these areas in one direction, you would not see any "dark" spots.

Ok, now your reminding me a shag carpet rakes...

 

[oktane]

The Alcantara might look nice new, but they wear so poorly that it will look like crap after a few months. Good luck if you ever get any people who like to run their hands through it. Also you are lucky they are not on the seats like the Porsche. All they do is absorb your sweat and moisture and then they stick up like little hair. It's super gross.

I'm not sure what you're doing in your car but perhaps I don't want to know. No idea how you can possibly wear out the headliner of your car unless you're flipping it over - repeatedly. All of my Alcantara surfaces in multiple cars I've owned look good as new. I've paid up to $3k for the privilege though.

 

[studiojon]

Just spoke with rep at SC and rep from Fremont and both confirmed Ultra Suede will remain in S and X. Good new, I think. Anyone hearing differently?

I was at the Century City store today. I saw the model 3, with the new headliner material. Definitely not Alcantara.

However I also looked at the S and the X. Then I got into a long discussion with one of the most senior specialists there (who I have known for a while).

He sad that YES they are removing Alcantara from the 3. That change is staying. HOWEVER he also said that the S and the X are UltraSuede now (not the same brand as Alcantara, btw - that’s me not him saying that). He said categorically that the UltraSuede was staying for S and X. I queried him repeatedly on this because I plan to get another S later this year. He was adamant. UltraSuede for S and X. He specifically said it wasn’t Alcantara but UltraSuede.

If you are asking me - I think that does mean they changed supplier, and didn’t keep the higher quality material for the 3.

Also btw. The new material headliner in the 3 is very nice. It’s not as nice as Alcantara, but it is definitely higher quality than the old Model S headliner that was fabric in the non-premium versions.

 

[SucreTease]

I HOWEVER he also said that the S and the X are UltraSuede now (not the same brand as Alcantara, btw - that’s me not him saying that). He said categorically that the UltraSuede was staying for S and X. I queried him repeatedly on this because I plan to get another S later this year. He was adamant. UltraSuede for S and X. He specifically said it wasn’t Alcantara but UltraSuede.

If you are asking me - I think that does mean they changed supplier, and didn’t keep the higher quality material for the 3.

Doesn't make sense. According to Alcantara (material) - Wikipedia:

"The material [Alcantara] was developed in the early 1970s by Miyoshi Okamoto, a scientist working for the Japanese chemical company Toray Industries. It was based on the same technology as another product from the same company named Ultrasuede."
​

That wouldn't count as changing suppliers.

 

[IchDochNicht]

Ultrasuede is made by TORAY Industries:
Ultrasuede® | TORAY

Alcantara is a brand that's manufactured in Italy. It was started as a joint venture with TORAY Industries:
Alcantara® Material for Car, Aircraft and Yacht interiors

Here is what it is:
ABOUT ULTRASUEDE® | Ultrasuede® | TORAY
The Science of Ultrasuede® | Features | ABOUT ULTRASUEDE® | Ultrasuede® | TORAY

Here is the timeline of how Alcantara was created:
History | Alcantara

Here is how to clean these materials:
Cleaning Alcantara and general maintenance | Alcantara

 

[Nitemare3219]

The Alcantara might look nice new, but they wear so poorly that it will look like crap after a few months. Good luck if you ever get any people who like to run their hands through it. Also you are lucky they are not on the seats like the Porsche. All they do is absorb your sweat and moisture and then they stick up like little hair. It's super gross.

How the hell do you wear out Alcantara on a dashboard or headliner?! Hell, I've had Alcantara seats before in another vehicle and they held up GREAT.

This is a bullshit move by Tesla. Getting further and further away from being premium/luxury...

 

[CRASHER]

I was surprised to to see my model S without Alcantara. The premium cloth looked worse than the regular suede material on all economy models.

 

[AnxietyRanger]

I was surprised to to see my model S without Alcantara. The premium cloth looked worse than the regular suede material on all economy models.

When was your Model S delivered without Alcantara? Did Tesla comment on why it came without Alcantara? Did you have a premium interior selected or a base interior?

Trying to find out if the change applied to Model S/X too, as there are different reports on that. Thank you.

 

[CRASHER]

Mine was delivered last month, without PUP.
All M S/X even with the PUP now comes without Alcantara.

 

[mknox]

I was surprised to to see my model S without Alcantara. The premium cloth looked worse than the regular suede material on all economy models.

I realize it's a personal thing, but I think the Alcantara looks tacky. Reminds me of my mother's '87 Chrysler LeBaron. I much prefer the premium cloth and would have paid extra for that.

 

[evster]

Mine was delivered last month, without PUP.
All M S/X even with the PUP now comes without Alcantara.

Incorrect.

Suede headliner has nothing to do with the Premium Upgrade Package.

This is how it is:
- Standard interior = Cloth/Fabric headliner in black
- Premium interior (white, black, beige) = Suede headliner in either black or tan depending on color selection.

And just for the sake of it.... Suede headliner is NOT discontinued for X/S.

 

[AnxietyRanger]

- Standard interior = Cloth/Fabric headliner in black
- Premium interior (white, black, beige) = Suede headliner in either black or tan depending on color selection.

Which interior does @CRASHER have?

And just for the sake of it.... Suede headliner is NOT discontinued for X/S.

Are we sure? Some Tesla reps did say (quotes earlier in the thread) that it had been? I acknowledge some other reps said it had not.

 

[evster]

What I forgot to mention in my previous post is that there are some unicorn X and S built in August that do have the new vegan premium interior but with cloth headliner. This is error in the production line for a few cars and was corrected later in the atumn. If I had such a car and prefer the Suede I would require Tesla to change the headliner. That would probably be a non issue and they would do that switch without hesitation.

All new cars produced since September or there about do have Suede headliner if they're fitted with premium interior. I've seen it in several new cars and got it confirmed from people at Tesla. Also the configurator clearly show different material.

One of the unicorns with premium interior and cloth headliner is the 100D that Kman drove in his review. This particular 100D is most likely produced in August 2017.

 

[jelloslug]

Which interior does @CRASHER have?



Are we sure? Some Tesla reps did say (quotes earlier in the thread) that it had been? I acknowledge some other reps said it had not.

Nothing has changed on the Tesla.com site for what it's worth.

 

[jelloslug]

Also, I have had two different very recently built Model X loaners, one with the PUP and cloth seats, the other with the PUP and premium seats. The cloth seat car had the textile headliner (and Alcantara visors) and the premium seat car had the Alcantara headliner.