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Standard Fabric vs. Alcantara

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Tideland Prius, Mar 25, 2005.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I was wondering if anyone in Europe (or anywhere else that has that option) could take a picture (and maybe a close up) of the difference between the true Alcantara option and the standard fabric.
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Mar 25, 2005
  2. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius\";p=\"75660)</div>
    My 2004 has the standard Alcantara fabric interior. What is True Alcantara?
     
    #2 seasalsa, Mar 25, 2005
  3. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    I think what he wants to determine is if the NA cars have Alcantara or not.

    Alcantara is an extra cost option in Europe.

    Lots of people SAY that the NA upholstery is Alcantara, but all the Toyota Literature says is "Microfiber".

    You'd think that if they did have this luxury material in there, they'd at least mention it, so a large number of people are a tad skeptical about whether the NA fabric is indeed "Alcantara" brand name.
     
    #3 Tempus, Mar 25, 2005
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I'm one who used to repeat the Alcantara claim...I'm now amongst the skeptics and seriously doubt that it is Alcantara.

    I think it is a good material and it seems to clean easily, but I don't think it is Alcantara.
     
    #4 efusco, Mar 25, 2005
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    well Alcantara is microfibre, it's just one of the companies that make microfibre and it just so happens that the company's name has become synonymus with it. (like Speedo or Kleenex)

    Yeah, Tempus is right about my question. I know this question has popped up before in another thread but I thought a picture or two might help clear things up
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Mar 25, 2005
  6. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    Alcantara is designed in two tone. There were pictures posted before. I was a supporter of saying it was alcantara.. but it's not. It's good material though.

    The way i see it... nobody can disprove it... so let's say it is, and help the prius sales even more by having a really nice interior :) well.. untill the people owning those other high end cars like maybacks and such look at it and tell us it's not. :( we could have fun for a while though :) j/k
     
    #6 V8Cobrakid, Mar 25, 2005
  7. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    And following their cleaning instructions seems to work.
     
    #7 DanMan32, Mar 25, 2005
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    alright then. We'll just say it's a nice soft fuzzy material.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Mar 25, 2005
  9. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    well i guess the real question is is alcantara a type of fabric or the name of a company that makes the fabric. if its the latter, then heck with the premium for the name. gimmee the generic copy that Toyota uses. after several accidents in my car, i stand by what i have, what ever it is.
     
    #9 DaveinOlyWA, Mar 26, 2005
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Alcantara is the name of the company that makes microfibre. We use their name in the same way we call tissue Kleenex, swimming trunk Speedo, toothpaste Colgate and so on. So I guess I should be asking is this cloth or microfibre. =)
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Mar 26, 2005
  11. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius\";p=\"76108)</div>
    Many people make Microfiber.

    Only one of them calls their product Alcantara.

    The fabric in the NA Priuses is microfiber. No doubt.

    The doubt is whether it is Alcantara Brand Name.
     
    #11 Tempus, Mar 26, 2005
  12. jeromep

    jeromep Member

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    I would be very surprised if the microfiber fabric in NA Prii is actual Alacantara branded material. More likely to come from another reputable manufacturer of microfiber material and not necessary a luxury brand of microfiber.
     
    #12 jeromep, Mar 26, 2005
  13. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    I guess it's really a question of whether it's just Leather or whether it's Rich Corinthian Leather.
     
    #13 Tempus, Mar 26, 2005
  14. Canuck

    Canuck Member

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    #14 Canuck, Mar 26, 2005
  15. KMO

    KMO Senior Member

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    #15 KMO, Mar 28, 2005
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Oh yes, you posted this before. :oops:

    Hmm, patterned design is nice. Darn. I really can't tell the difference with that picture >.<

    oh well, I guess we will just call it a soft, fuzzy, easy to clean fabric til someone at Toyota confirms the material
     
    #16 Tideland Prius, Mar 28, 2005
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