Hmm so the NuLuxe is really that good huh...

Now i must beg a more difficult question. Would it be heresy in anyone's mind if the utmost of luxury brands, Rolls Royce and Bentley, were to offer nuluxe grade pleather instead of real cowhide? I mean, as long as it it slick, comfortable, and aesthetic, is there any other reason to get leather other than peace of mind?

 

Bragging rights.

A Rolls/Bentley owner is looking to make a statement not looking for functionality or else a 7 series/S class/LS/A8/XJ would have sufficed.

His day would not be complete without knowing that 2-3 cows just died for the comfort of his posterior.

 

Maybe we are throwing the word "option" around too quickly. To me, leather should be standard on a luxury car; at the very least, there should be a no-cost option between the really good "fake" leather, and real leather. I rented a Passat SE with fake leather; I feel like my Lexus/BMW/MB/etc. should be marketed in a more upscale manner than a Passat.

There was thread a month or so ago about the new $30,000 entry level for "luxury" cars. But what gets me about that is when luxury features like leather interior are stripped out to get to that price.

 

well real leather costs more, so it cant be same price, unless you want to be paying a lot of money for fake :-)

in europe, all these luxury brands have cloth interiors, not even fake leather is standard.

 

Were I pondering the purchase of a RR or Bentley the choice of pleather would be welcome for precisely the same reasons previously stated. Recognizing, of course that these vehicles are indeed chosen for reasons beyond the need for safe, comfortable, and reliable driving!

I wonder whether automobile leather has become a victim of success as it is no longer restricted to luxury makes or highly optioned trimlines? AFAIK, cowhides used in most vehicles are by-products of highly efficient cattle production and are now comparatively cheap. Perhaps this is not true of the truly exclusive hides used by RR and others?

 

Vinyl seats belong in a Prius. They do not belong in a luxury car.

 

I got news for you, friend. Some Priuses, today, have entry-level luxury prices.

 

Vinyl seats can be pretty darn comfortable if done well. Overseas, many public transportation optns including buses/taxis have vinyl wrapped seats. Im willing to bet the average consumer cannot tell the difference or will not care. This is the same ignorance that stems whenever somone chooses to buy a 550i over a 528i because the 550 offers bigger wheels. Little to no thought is given to the fact that mileage/performance will differ greatly between the two.

This topic about paying extra for interior materials can also be related to the fact that the line between mainstream and luxury is rapidly blurring. Option up a Civic, and you have leather in a small economy car. The dashboard may not look as aesthetic as 3x more expensive LSs but if the consumer isn't brand concious, not a single dang will be given that day.

Blindfold someone and have them sit back to back in a leather Camry and 550i. The average person wont know the difference.

 

Time for all CF interior!

I would pay more for a nicer interior (same reason why I stay away from Ford, Subaru, etc.) Too cheap and plastic. Being in a Lexus, I hate driving the GF's Sentra (with the carpet seats that are super uncomfortable)


I love the exterior of the car but 90% of the time I spend with the car is actually sitting on the seat and driving (besides from the wrenching and washing ) I'd like my interior to be appealing and comfortable.

 

Audi doesn't offer a single car with fake leather. At worst, you get a mix of real leather and alcantara.

 

With regards to NuLuxe:

The CT (as well as the ES and RX hybrids) falls under an odd category.

Interior materials "are upgraded" in the CT because it is being eco-friendly and earth-conscious.

Now, that doesn't mean that the quality of the material is better feeling or luxurious perse.

The materials used such as NuLuxe vinyl (which produces less carbon emissions and uses less power to make, compared to making leather seats), bean-fiber seat filling & cushioning, and bamboo wood components in the speaker system; all contribute to the "upgrades" regarding Lexus hybrid build and lifestyle.

 

Yes, that's correct now, at least in the American market. But it (apparantly) also represents a significant change from a few years ago, when they had fake-stuff standard in a number of models.

 

I would submit to you that those cows would get eaten anyways. If we're going to eat them, might as well use their skin which would otherwise go to waste. Part of the long honoured tradition of using all parts of the animal mother nature gave us. Hell, you can even use the cow bones, polsih them in to ivory, an use it for the switch gear in the car. Maybe the stomach can be used as airbags? They have few spare ones anyway.

 

That is precisely how my Lexus salesman pitched the vehicles with NuLuxe and bamboo. All of the details regarding NuLuxe you mentioned plus the fast-growth of bamboo.

I'd guesstimate roughly half of the roughly 10 or so ES300h's on the lot wore NuLuxe. A nice mix of colors and options overall to satisfy most prospective buyers. This dealership has a sister-store 25 minutes away, and IIRC had a similar allotment.

 

Someone please to explain how the Toyota Avalon has standard leather while the ES has cheap faux stuff...makes no sense other than cost