Race-tex durability and maintenance?

[RSouthern]

I'm likely to be a new owner of a Taycan in the next few weeks and I'm probably over-analyzing everything, but that's just the way I am I guess. I didn't custom order it but instead found one on a dealer lot that was nicely equipped and pretty close to what I would do if I was to custom order and I'm looking at a pretty reasonable savings over MSRP since it's not a 2024. The one thing that gives me pause is the inclusion of Race-tex instead of leather. Almost all my previous cars had leather, so this is the first time in 30+ years I would be moving away from the known durability and wear . For those if you that have race-tex, I'd like to know how it's holding up and if it feels too warm in the summer on either the steering wheel or the seat. I guess it's better for the environment (vegan) and fits with the green vibe of the EV platform, but durability, breathabilty and color stability are concerns I have to factor in as I'd like to keep this car for 10 years or so (unless there's a major battery revolution in the next 5).

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

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[RAHRCR]

Alcantara does feel a bit warmer in the summer but it’s also nicer when it’s colder outside. It’s pretty durable but it is best if you protect up front and do some light maintenance a few times a year to keep it from getting “gunky”. The Porsche material is no better or worse than other manufacturers with similar material. If you like the feel of it, I would say that it should not be a deterrent…just due to maintenance. I no longer have it but I maintain it in one of my wife’s vehicle without issue and the kids are not what I would call careful.

 

[Wakesurfer]

I'm likely to be a new owner of a Taycan in the next few weeks and I'm probably over-analyzing everything, but that's just the way I am I guess. I didn't custom order it but instead found one on a dealer lot that was nicely equipped and pretty close to what I would do if I was to custom order and I'm looking at a pretty reasonable savings over MSRP since it's not a 2024. The one thing that gives me pause is the inclusion of Race-tex instead of leather. Almost all my previous cars had leather, so this is the first time in 30+ years I would be moving away from the known durability and wear . For those if you that have race-tex, I'd like to know how it's holding up and if it feels too warm in the summer on either the steering wheel or the seat. I guess it's better for the environment (vegan) and fits with the green vibe of the EV platform, but durability, breathabilty and color stability are concerns I have to factor in as I'd like to keep this car for 10 years or so (unless there's a major battery revolution in the next 5).

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

I ordered my 2021 Taycan with Race-tex and would do it all over again - and I live in Texas. Car has almost 15,000 miles and I don't see any wear and tear. I do have the ventilated seats and backs as well - guessing that this helps keeps me cooler in these 100+ degree temperatures.

 

[xyeahtony]

I dont have race-tex but i had alcantara on an acura. Im not a fan because it feels like it collects dirt and stray hairs way easier and im taking a lint roller to that thing every other day.

 

[WhydidisellmyM5]

I have Race Tex on my steering wheel and I love it. I have leather on my M5 and have to say I like the different feel of Race Tex, feels great and moves through the hands well with good grip. I do love my car

 

[f1eng]

If Racetex is the same type of material as alcantara I have found it surprisingly good at wear and easy to clean.
I got an alcantara interior in 2005 and it wore well and was easy to wipe spillages off.
The car is still being used for the school run by my daughter and is still holding up well and looking very smart for 18 years old.

 

[EdwinT]

The alcantara wheels seems to get greasy over time and the little hairs go flat at the spots where your ahnds regularly are, well at least this is what multiple owners told me.. When with a bit of sweaty hands it feels strange, but thats my opinion… so, seems odd but i have decided to use driving gloves to keep the wheel clean and avoid the sweaty feeling on my hands.

OK, let the laughs begin ;-)

 

[Neil63]

I have the race-Tex steering wheel in my Taycan, and have had it in other Porsches and in all my race cars. They are great. The trick is to use a lighter grip than you would with leather.

 

[RSouthern]

Thanks all, I really appreciate you sharing your experience. The informal polling responses point to Race-Tex not being a problem with wear or feel.

 

[Mattyh]

I’ve been looking into this as I have a gts coming soon with it. If you look on YouTube there are more of care videos. But just using a brush to brush it keeps it looking fresh

 

[darth_maul_80]

The alcantara wheels seems to get greasy over time and the little hairs go flat at the spots where your ahnds regularly are, well at least this is what multiple owners told me.. When with a bit of sweaty hands it feels strange, but thats my opinion… so, seems odd but i have decided to use driving gloves to keep the wheel clean and avoid the sweaty feeling on my hands.

OK, let the laughs begin ;-)

I do the same. Though sometimes I drive without them I think it’s more comfortable both on leather and alcantara to wear glove.

 

[Throb]

I'm likely to be a new owner of a Taycan in the next few weeks and I'm probably over-analyzing everything, but that's just the way I am I guess. I didn't custom order it but instead found one on a dealer lot that was nicely equipped and pretty close to what I would do if I was to custom order and I'm looking at a pretty reasonable savings over MSRP since it's not a 2024. The one thing that gives me pause is the inclusion of Race-tex instead of leather. Almost all my previous cars had leather, so this is the first time in 30+ years I would be moving away from the known durability and wear . For those if you that have race-tex, I'd like to know how it's holding up and if it feels too warm in the summer on either the steering wheel or the seat. I guess it's better for the environment (vegan) and fits with the green vibe of the EV platform, but durability, breathabilty and color stability are concerns I have to factor in as I'd like to keep this car for 10 years or so (unless there's a major battery revolution in the next 5).

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Have a look at this thread...

https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/threads/steering-wheel-cleaning.16482/

 

[SwissTaycan]

I got the Race-Tex and alcantara steering wheel as at the time of order of my first EV I thought I should save the planet twice: once without fuel and secondly without leather.

I can not complain about the Race-Tex and it still looks like the day I got the car. My only complaint is that it does not feel very premium and I miss the leather (and hence killing the cows?) in the car.

What I absolutely disliked was the alcantara steering wheel. I actually had it removed by a leatherworker recommended by my dealer and now have black leather (with the last remnant of alcantara at 12 o‘clock) on the steering wheel.

Next Taycan…. Leather all the way. Can only save the planet once and not twice.

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

I got the Race-Tex and alcantara steering wheel as at the time of order of my first EV I thought I should save the planet twice: once without fuel and secondly without leather.

I can not complain about the Race-Tex and it still looks like the day I got the car. My only complaint is that it does not feel very premium and I miss the leather (and hence killing the cows?) in the car.

[…]
Next Taycan…. Leather all the way. Can only save the planet once and not twice.

Can’t win.. if you spec alcantara, cows live on and produce methane; if you do spec leather, they’ll just grow more cows for the next order. ??‍

(what was it so bad about the alcantara on the steering wheel? It’s about the only place I’ve contemplated RaceTex.)

 

[SwissTaycan]

? ? ? ? All meant tongue in cheek on saving the planet.

Don’t get me wrong…. in my opinion alcantara on the steering wheel has its place in certain conditions (racing, competitive driving, etc.) but for a daily drive it just did not feel right. Subjectively it felt weird and I never got used to it. Objectively it made the steering wheel really small and narrow — which I guess subjectively then meant I did not have enough to hang on to and it felt too dainty.

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