For drivers across the Carolinas, leather is one of the most well-known perks of luxury vehicle ownership. The soft feel and sharp styling of real leather interiors set top-level cars above their competitors. Yet there is a broad range of luxury vehicles available, with a wide variety of leather types to match. Two of the most common types of vehicle leather are the Italian and Nappa varieties. So which type of leather should Spartanburg consumers seek, Italian or Nappa?

Drivers from Anderson to Charlotte can enjoy a new sort of European luxury with Benson Alfa Romeo. Alfa vehicles impress drivers with their opulent interiors and high performance. And best of all, they offer a higher standard at a price below that of many European luxury brands. If you are looking for a vehicle that can stand out from all of the bland German offerings on the roads of of South Carolina, visit Benson Alfa Romeo to see how you can take advantage of our offerings.

Contact

Benson Alfa Romeo

500a W Wade Hampton Blvd
Directions Greer, SC 29650

  • Sales: 888-380-1716
  • Service: 888-473-2689
  • Parts: 888-452-2592

Hours

  • Monday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Thursday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Friday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Saturday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Sunday By Appointment

The Lowdown on Leather

Leather is a component of many luxury products, from furniture to clothes to automotive interiors. Since each of these products have different desirable characteristics, they are made out of different varieties of leather. There are many different ways to distinguish between types of leather. Common distinctions include the type of grain and specifics of the curing process used to turn the original animal hide into a luxury leather product.

Full grain leather is closest to its source material, making it one of the most desirable forms of leather. On other types of leather, such as top or corrected grain variants, the outer layer of the hide has been removed to even out natural imperfections and make it easier to work. Yet on full grain leather, the dense fibers of this outer layer provides each piece with unique natural features while contributing softness and durability.

One remarkable facet of full grain leather is that as it ages, it develops a characteristic shine. This shine, or patina, is unique to the environment each piece finds itself in. The patina distinguishes each piece and provides interesting clues to the history of the item. This patina can also attest to whether or not the product under question is truly a leather article.

Italian versus Nappa Leather

Italian leather is a full grain leather that has been cured by a traditional process using vegetable tannins. Remarkably, Italian leather is noticeably softer than other vegetable-treated leathers. The hand-produced nature of Italian leather, along with its patina, gives each article a unique feel.

Nappa leather, invented in California in 1875, is also full grain leather. Originally developed for use on gloves, Nappa leather is now found on a wide variety of products. Though Nappa leather was historically cured with vegetable tannins, its modern variant more often uses chemicals such as chromium and aluminum sulfates. Thus, Nappa leather does not have the natural look and feel of true Italian leather.

Try Real Italian Leather at Benson Alfa Romeo

Greenville, South Carolina, drivers looking for their next luxury vehicle can rest assured that their Alfa Romeo car or SUV uses only the best quality leather available. By using real Italian leather vegetable-dyed through natural and traditional processes, Alfa Romeo goes above and beyond to add an extra touch of class to its vehicles. This makes Alfa Romeo vehicles even more surprising for drivers who wonder why they were paying higher prices for other European vehicles with lower-quality corrected grain leather.

Benson Alfa Romeo serves drivers across the Carolinas with a wide array of new, used and certified pre-owned vehicles. Our top-class finance and service centers can help drivers afford and maintain their next great luxury vehicle. Call us at (864) 372-9144 or visit us at 500a West Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greer, South Carolina to learn more or to schedule a test drive.

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