Italians Dress Up Some German Car Interiors At L.A. Auto Show

LOS ANGELES--Dec. 26, 2012:  New-model Audi, BMW and Mercedes vehicles introduced at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show were dressed in luxury interior materials from Milan-based Alcantara.

The Audi A8 L Tdi premiering in Los Angeles this year featured Alcantara material on its roof panel, pillars and door panels. Alcantara's light weight, soft feel and durability all played a role in its selection by Audi for the A8.

A number of BMW models shown in Los Angeles, including the new Alpine B7, also were upholstered in Alcantara.  BMW's sporty M Package offered on the company's X6 and 5, 6 and 7 Series models features Alcantara seating, as well as Alcantara roof and door panels.

The Mercedes Black Series gullwing SLS AMG Coupe made its debut with Alcantara interior features as well. The luxurious, but light-weight Italian material is an increasingly popular interior choice for sporty, high-performance vehicles.

A number of U.S. manufacturers also chose Alcantara for West Coast market debuts. For the seating of its new Dodge Charger Daytona, for example, Chrysler chose perforated Alcantara with a shiny black backing and blue stitching to match the car's body color.

Ford's industry-leading line-up of F-Series pickup trucks also had Alcantara seating on models equipped with its aggressive new FX Appearance Package.

"Light weight and breathability are important features in any season and the unique 'grip' provided by our material is valued by performance-car owners as well," noted Andrea Boragno, Alcantara's chairman and CEO. "Alcantara has been featured on prestigious brands at major auto shows throughout the world in 2012.

"Our materials are certified 100 percent carbon neutral, which adds to their appeal for companies and consumers with a concern for the environment. Alcantara creates interiors with guaranteed durability combined with taste and elegance."

Alcantara, the material, is a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A. The result of proprietary technology, it is the choice of leading companies in automotive, marine, fashion, home-interior and consumer-electronics industries. Founded in 1972, the company is headquartered in Milan with research and production facilities in Nera Montoro, Umbria.