Alcantara Interiors on Prominent Display at Detroit Auto Show

DETROIT, Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcantara, the premium Italian-crafted automotive interior material, is becoming more and more popular in North America.

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Lighter but more durable than leather, Alcantara can be found on a wide variety of domestic and foreign vehicles on display at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) being held Jan. 17-29 in Detroit. New models from the Tesla Model S and popular Ford F-150 pickup to the Maserati Quattroporte and Porsche Panamera GTS are being shown with the Italian-made material.

Tesla Model S Signature and Signature Performance models feature seats upholstered with Alcantara. The F-150 pickup, America's best-selling vehicle, also offers Alcantara with its FX Appearance Package.

Porsche, Maserati and BMW all unveiled new vehicles in Detroit that are equipped with luxurious Alcantara interior treatments as well.

On display for the first time in Detroit, the Porsche Cayenne has its headliner and interior pillars dressed in Alcantara while the Cayenne GTS adds Alcantara seating and door-panels treatments. The Porsche Panamera GTS features the Italian-made material on its seats, steering wheel, door panels, pillars and ceiling.

Alcantara also graces the interior of the Italian-produced Maserati Quattroporte which is making its world debut in Detroit. The flagship of the Maserati product line-up, the new Quattroporte is lighter, larger and more luxurious than the model it replaces. For its sixth generation Quattroporte, Maserati chose Alcantara for its seats, pillars and headliner.

The BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe, also shown in Detroit for the first time, provides a glimpse of what's ahead for BMW's sporting mid-range coupe. The concept vehicle's chestnut brown interior includes an Alcantara headliner and door pillars.

BMW's Z4 roadster Sdrive35 also makes its debut with seating that features an original grey Alcantara design with white striping and an insert in orange perforated material with a silver backing.

In addition, BMW's M6 high-performance sports car is being shown at NAIAS for the first time and is on display with Alcantara pillars and ceiling.

Auto show visitors also will see Alcantara headliner treatments on the Audi SQ5 with TFSI engine and the Audi RS7 Sportsback, both making world debuts in Detroit.

Other vehicles with Alcantara interior treatments at the North American International Auto Show include a new Lincoln MKC compact-crossover concept model, the Chrysler Town & Country minivan and Ford Edge crossover, along with several other Audi models including the S6 and S8 sedans, and R8 coupe.

Based on unique, patented technology, Alcantara today is the choice of leading companies in the automotive, marine, fashion, home interior and consumer electronics industries. A registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A., it has been certified as "carbon neutral," adding to its appeal for companies and consumers with a strong interest in the environment.

Alcantara S.p.A. is headquartered in Milan with research and production facilities in Nera Montoro, Umbria. More information is available on the Internet at www.alcantara.com.

SOURCE Alcantara