What is Alcantara® widely used in the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, and what are its advantages compared to suede and faux suede?
Alcantara® is an artificial synthetic eco-friendly material mainly applied to the interiors of high-performance luxury car brands. It has advantages such as rich colors, soft and delicate texture, anti-slip and wear resistance, lightweight, low reflectivity, and ease of maintenance. However, it is extremely costly, with costs more than 50% higher than ordinary Nappa leather.
Suede generally refers to animal leather grain (the outer side) treated with special processes like grinding, resulting in a delicate feel but high difficulty in cleaning and maintenance; ordinary fabric faux suede forms dense and uniform fuzz on the fabric surface through brushing processes to simulate the appearance and feel of suede. It has lower production costs, high difficulty in cleaning and maintenance, and inferior visual effects.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra extensively uses Italian Alcantara®️ microfiber fabric, covering an area of 5 square meters. For example, on the steering wheel, seat surfaces, door panels, IP dashboard, etc., it effectively prevents slipping and avoids glare. Compared to traditional leather materials, Alcantara®️ microfiber fabric can reduce weight by 50%, improving performance while bringing a sporty luxury feel to the cabin.