Planet 9

Did you guys notice that interior basic specifications on the 2010 order guide says: SEAT UPHOLSTERY ALCANTARA/LEATHERETTE. Is that new and standard?

Here in Malaysia the alcantara/leatherette has been the standard interior imported by the dealer. On an ordered car partial leather has been a no cost option. I test drove several cars with alcantara on the seats and didn't like it. Got really hot. For my 09 I ordered the partial leather with seat ventilation. Works much better in this tropical climate. Of course I was forced to get heated seats too and that's one button I'll never push.

I know the British and Euro Caymans have always had Alcantara seating surfaces with the leather surfaces (standard on US cars) as an option.

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"Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym." — Woody Allen

In the UK I'm pretty sure the base Cayman comes with alcantara/vinyl seat faces/edges and the S comes with leather seat faces/edges as (sort of) standard.

I'm thin so both the sports or standard seats are a bit too wide for me causing me to slide slightly from side to side when cornering hard. Also I find leather cold in the winter and sticky in the summer so I did a special request with my S for base seats- for the extra grip and cool/dry feel in winter/summer.

Amazingly they gave me a £800 refund which I used (plus cash) to spec it with GT3 alcantara wheel, e-brake and shift. So the S is specced with leather faces by default but you can delete and special order alcantara.

Sounds like a good trade. Me, I wouldn't mind having the alcantara armrest cover.

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"Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym." — Woody Allen

If you're looking at the 2010 order guide that has been posted on this site, it is not the North American order guide, it is a global order guide showing all the different options that are available in all the worldwide markets, not just North America. It takes very careful reading of codes in it to decipher what is available here in NA. Download the 2009 order guide. From what I'm hearing, what is going to be available on the 2010 cars will be almost identical, with very few changes. For quite a few years, the standard upholstery package on the NA cars of all models (911, Boxster, Caymans) has been leather seating faces with vinyl sides and backs, with a full-leather package optional.

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

I had alcantara in my STI.

Showed virtually no wear at 90,000 miles.

I'd go for alcantara in a heartbeat. Also more pleasant both
in winter and summer.

mike