Faux Leather Steering Wheel and Shift knob?

smarties · 02-03-2009, 07:24 PM

Is it just me or is the steering wheel and shift knob not actually leather as listed as standard equipment for 08 and 09 models? I have vehicles with leather wrapped steering wheel and this is not leather on the Smart. I still like the look and feel of it but I dont like misleading or false information. Can someone clarify if they actually have a leather wrapped steering wheel?

HGB · 02-03-2009, 07:37 PM

It might very well be split leather that's not a high quality... yet it is leather.

Neonspinnazz · 02-03-2009, 07:43 PM

It is leather, smart tries to make things as environmentally friendly as possible though. So I believe that the lower quality leather is there for a reason.

- But it may not be lower quality, there may be a type of outer coating that protects the leather from damage but makes it feel fake.

-But I'm not sure yet, I got to get behind the wheel of one soon.

smarties · 02-03-2009, 07:46 PM

Im still not convinced. I just went out to look closer again and it feels very rubbery and does not scratch like leather.

Darci · 08-03-2009, 06:16 PM

I was just wondering the same thing recently........it does not feel like actual leather!
But it is still nicer than a few plastic steering wheeled cars I test drove before I settled on the Smart.

Big Panda · 08-03-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smarties

Im still not convinced. I just went out to look closer again and it feels very rubbery and does not scratch like leather.

Leather comes from various sources and has various textures. The smart leather comes from the Rubber Cow, hence the 'rubbery feel'.

Does that help?

joey17 · 08-03-2009, 11:09 PM

maybe they got it from a panda

ex300SRT8 · 08-04-2009, 10:25 AM

All I know is that mine is not wearing well compared to any car I've ever owned. I'm getting a little pealing off of the leather on the top of the steering wheel. Anyone else with issues?

Karl Roth · 08-04-2009, 10:37 AM

Leather - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
maybe you got one of the rare pleather cars,
karl

**JPaul** · 08-04-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex300SRT8

All I know is that mine is not wearing well compared to any car I've ever owned. I'm getting a little pealing off of the leather on the top of the steering wheel. Anyone else with issues?

Sorry about that! But, since you can see the backside of the material, you'd say it's genuine leather?