All of my Porsches have been silver with black full leather interior. There seems to be a change in the 991 leather appearance. The black is now a dark, dark gray with a matte finish. Beautiful, no doubt, but very much different from previous model years. I was able to view, side by side, a 2013 991 S with black full leather and a 2011 997 also with black full leather. The 997 leather was much darker and had a satin appearance. However, there was also a 2013 991 S with the Carrera Red leather - looked just like the 2011 997 but red instead of black. Same satin sheen, same deep color.

Does anyone know the difference in type, quality, finish, manufacturing techniques, etc, etc, etc, between (1) base leather, (2) full leather, and (3) natural leather (which is only available in Red and Espresso - correct). Any observations on these differences (if any) between model years would be helpful too.

I guess what I want is black natural leather to match the satin sheen and deep color of my previous black leather cars???? This does not appear to be available.

I get the feeling the VW accountants have been at work and, outside the natural leather option, the leather quality has been cut.

Or maybe I am just crazy.

 

Leather is a starting point for a car manufacturer. With the base leather, the leather is stretched and the outer layer is sanded off and a new grain is embossed into it to make it more uniform. This increases the porosity of the leather when the outside is sanded off and it accepts color better. However, it doesn't hold up as well unless a sealer is applied. So the "leather" interior is considerably changed from its natural state. It is now thinner, uniform in both grain and color, and sealed against UV and infrared damage from the sun, making it suitable for an automobile use. Since it is stretched thinner you don't notice that it is slightly stiffer. It could be dark black or dark grey according to what the designer wanted. Full leather has nothing to do with what kind of leather is used, although the designer might specify a better grade if their research indicates the consumer expects it with the cost upgrade.

Natural leather is not stretched. It is natural thickness and has the natural grain still intact. It is tumble dyed in large drums that constantly roll and knead it to get it to accept the color. This softens it much like you would soften a dry chamois by kneading it. It retains the natural, saddle-like leather smell without adding synthetic aromas. The comfort, if you took the time to compare it, is obvious to the educated rear end. Even though less is done to cure leather this way, it is still more expensive since you get fewer square feet of leather out of a hide. The UV and infrared sealants are introduced into the leather while it is tumbling in the dye soaked drums and like the dye, is soaked all the way through the leather rather than added with the sealant.

Additional leather options in a Porsche, beyond the full leather option, show the skill and technology that Porsche craftsmen are capable of. For leather air conditioner vents, the leather is stretched almost paper thin to cover the plastic vanes of the outlet. Also, the match between what is leather and what is similar to leather is outstanding by automobile standards.

 

Boom, now there's an answer! Very helpful (for me), thanks!

 

Seriously... that's an awesome answer. Thank you for sharing, jmmk.

 

yes excellent answer

one point to correct

the Porsche full leather option is (1) more leather and (2) better ("smooth grain") leather

 

First of all, jmmk, great explanation on the quality of leathers and the process require for automobile use. To the OP's specific point in his post above, I agree with him that the 991 standard 'black' leather appears to the eye a little more 'charcoal' than the old standard 'black' found on the previous 997 model. First photo attached shows a door panel of a 991 in 'black'. The second photo shows a door panel of a .1 997 in standard 'black'. Perhaps you can see the slight difference we are seeing!

MB offers on certain upscale models (e.g. The CL line) the choice of two grades of leather in the same color. So they have a premium 'black' and a more expensive, natural leather offering called 'Exclusive'. I have the latter on my 2007 CL600. This is an Aniline leather which, according to Wikipedia, is a 'type of leather dyed exclusively with soluble dyes without covering the surface with a topcoat paint or insoluble pigments. The resulting product retains the hide's natural surface with the 'grain', i.e. visible pores, scars etc. of the complete original animal's skin structure'. Porsche, at first glance in its configurator, seems not to offer this type of natural leather in 'black'. But there is another way to skin this particular cat, if you pardon the pun. 'Porsche Exclusive' offers 'Interior to Sample' leather. It is probably the least used option in the US market but its worth exploring. Let me explain.

For approx. $1750 more than the standard full 'black' leather interior, you can order 'Interior to Sample' leather on the 991 Porsche model. It is also just $240 more than selecting (cost of $1510) the only two natural leathers currently offered - 'Carrera Red' and 'Expresso'. I am hopeful that 'Porsche Exclusive' could provide a deeper & truer 'Black' if you opt for 'Interior to Sample'. It would also expect the offering to be in the superior natural leather quality, of which jmmk has explained at length on his post. I have not confirmed yet with 'Porsche Exclusive' if the 'black' would be a darker color (as in my CL600 'Exclusive' interior), but that would be worth finding out! If all of this can be arranged via 'Porsche Exclusive', it would resolve the issue of having to compromise with a lower grade leather quality if you need to use 'black' as your interior color because that is what you like and/or because it goes best with your exterior color! And a truer black would also highlight deviating stitching because of the greater contrast to the darker leather next to the stitching!

I am going to delve in this subject at some length in my upcoming thread on 'Porsche Exclusive'. I first became acquainted with the world of 'special order' when I started pursuing my current 'Crystal Blue' 1970 911E Targa (see Avatar) back in 1980, which I eventually got in 2008. Since then I have learned quite a bit on the subject of customizing exteriors and interiors at Porsche. Most recently I have had a 'Paint to Sample' 997S in 'Signal Green' (3rd photo) and just last year custom ordered a Spyder from the factory (4th photo). What I learned from extensive, months-long dealings with 'Porsche Exclusive' on that last order I tried to explain to forum members at Rennlist on the linked thread below, which has already received over 5,800 views:

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...tom-order.html

My upcoming new thread will deal with the information I have gathered so far in the past few months in preparing for my next custom order of a 'Paint to Sample' and 'Interior to Sample' 991! The young & energetic team that PAG and PCNA have designated to handle 'Porsche Exclusive' in the US have a daunting task ahead of them. Manager Sascha Glaeser and his assistant Melissa Witek are a great resource that should be consulted more by both dealers and individual customers alike.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/accessori...ion/contactus/

Via these posts & threads in 6Speed, Rennlist and Teamspeed, I am trying in my own small way to help them out by getting out on the forums accurate and relevant information on the way the customizing program works at 'Porsche Exclusive' and its great possibilities for us consumers. I hope some of you will find it useful.

Saludos,
Eduardo
Vail Valley, Colorado

 

Awesome! After reading this thread I was upset that the "natural" leather option was a better leather, because I want to get a black interior.

Per Eduoardo's post, though, it seems I can kill two birds with one stone by going with the "Interior to Sample" option!?!?

Now where do I find a black that I really, truly want for a Carrera White exterior (and Guards Red deviated stitching)?

 

A bit OT, but Eduardo that Aqua Blue Spyder is sick! I don't have the guts personally to make that color my daily driver, but it is beautiful!

 

If you are dead set on Carrara white you may be stuck with Paint to Sample too. They changed to a generic "White" after the 2012 MY run ended.

 

PS. Eduardo, please post your separate thread up ASAP... dying to read it!