The element that determines the quality of a car is leather. Leather accentuates the luxury of a vehicle, shaping its image. In light of this, luxury brands strive to find the best leather available.
Napa leather refers to the soft leather extracted from calves, lambs, and goats in the Napa region of California. However, more recently, pigskin has also been utilized as a raw material for Napa leather, alongside cattle and goats.
To be considered as raw material for Napa leather, there are strict conditions. Only the skins of animals that show no signs of mites or vaccinations are used. This is the reason Napa leather is expensive.
Besides Napa leather, another widely used leather material in luxury cars is Alcantara. Named after the company founded by Italy’s ENI Group and Japan’s Toray Group in 1972, Alcantara boasts a soft texture akin to silk while also being incredibly durable.
The customization options available for Alcantara allow it to be processed into various colors. Furthermore, Alcantara combines elegance and comfort, and includes fire-resistant properties, antibacterial functions, and waterproof capabilities. Its sophistication makes it a popular choice for seats and interior finishes in luxury and supercar brands.
In addition to Napa leather and Alcantara, suede is another premium leather often found in high-end cars. Commonly referred to as ‘semo’ in Korea, suede leather is made from the softened hides of young lambs or calves. Suede is vulnerable to moisture and water. However, it has better water resistance than regular leather and can be restored unless it gets excessively damaged.
Beyond premium leathers like Napa and Alcantara, synthetic leather is also used in car interior finishes. Synthetic leather features the luxurious patterns and textures of natural leather while boasting strong durability. It is less susceptible to damage from external impacts and stains over time.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr