OEM Alcantara Steering Wheel - LotusTalk

Noel · 11-02-2008, 05:05 PM

Anyone seen this or have experience if this is a retrofit into our cars? This wheel is OEM VX220. As far as the picture can tell, it looks like a straight swap.

Lotus should have made this wheel available.

SweetDaddyD · 11-02-2008, 05:26 PM

Awesome. If anyone gets it, I have a few steering badge overlays in black and silver left so that you won't have to have a Vauxhal emblem in your Lotus.

Sh4rkattk · 11-02-2008, 05:58 PM

Thats sweet.

JUNGLISTluder · 11-02-2008, 06:44 PM

The Lotus airbag should be a direct swap as well. nice!!

apk919 · 11-02-2008, 07:15 PM

Me likey! (it would match my other Alcantara bits)

cstetter · 11-02-2008, 10:47 PM

I WANT!!!

Just checked that website - they will re-cover your original steering wheel for 239 Euros, so it's not a stock VX220 item. A trim shop should be able to do it as well, I guess.

cd4age · 11-03-2008, 12:03 AM

OMG I have been thinking about this for months! 'n here it is!! I wonder how much it is 2 wrap it vs buying a whole new wheel

Arno · 11-03-2008, 10:03 AM

That shop just re-trims/covers the original steering wheel with either real leather, suede or alcantara.

It's not a steering wheel you buy.. You have to send it in and they cover it.

And yes.. The Fed-Elise steering wheel originates from the Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220 and is identical apart from the center badge.

Bye, Arno.

Noel · 11-03-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstetter

checked that website - they will re-cover your original steering wheel for 239 Euros, so it's not a stock VX220 item.

Good information there, thank you.

Of course, the next problem for owners is, no one has 2 steering wheels and wouldn't like to wait while it's being done.

Would be good if they did a swap purchase program. You buy their alcantara wheel, they take a deposit, when you receive it, you install it and send the OEM wheel back to them, they refund you the deposit, everyone benefits this way with minimal downtime.

SweetDaddyD · 11-03-2008, 02:41 PM

How does Alcantara hold up on a steering wheel? Does it get dirty real fast? Does the "knap" wear off and it get smooth and shiny? Can you clean it? Or do you have to wear gloves all the time when you drive so you don't ruin it?

apk919 · 11-03-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetDaddyD

How does Alcantara hold up on a steering wheel? Does it get dirty real fast? Does the "knap" wear off and it get smooth and shiny? Can you clean it? Or do you have to wear gloves all the time when you drive so you don't ruin it?

I had one as part of the ZHP package on my 2004 BMW 330i... no problem with durability after 4 years and it felt great... better grip than regular leather. I never had to clean it...

sleeprfocus · 11-03-2008, 03:45 PM

239 Euros is a lot less than what I paid to have mine done here stateside

Wish I saw this earlier.

sleeprfocus · 11-03-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetDaddyD

How does Alcantara hold up on a steering wheel? Does it get dirty real fast? Does the "knap" wear off and it get smooth and shiny? Can you clean it? Or do you have to wear gloves all the time when you drive so you don't ruin it?

I've had mine for about 3-4 months now and there's a little bit of wear behind the wheel where my left hand normally grips it, but the wear hasn't gotten any worse. It won't get smooth and shiny, but rather you get some rough spots on the parts that see the most wear. The rest of the wheel still looks great, alcantara should last a good number of years even if you use the car every day.

11-02-2008, 05:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Noel Exige Cup 255 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 33.87°S 151.21°E Car: ロータス MKII エキシージ Type: Komo-Tec S300 Posts: 324	OEM Alcantara Steering Wheel Anyone seen this or have experience if this is a retrofit into our cars? This wheel is OEM VX220. As far as the picture can tell, it looks like a straight swap. Lotus should have made this wheel available.

11-02-2008, 05:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sh4rkattk A pound at a time. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: LA SFV Posts: 559	Thats sweet. __________________ 07 Exige S - PhB., TP, TP, LSD, S111 Rear Panel Delete, 2Bular De-Cat, 2Bular 8x24 Burnt GT3, Custom AEM Intake, 6k HID's, Schroth 4pt ASM Harnesses, Milled Steering Arms, Bronze Volk TE37 w/ RE-01R's, Carbon Craftsquare Mirrors, Carbon Front Lip, Benetec Dry Carbon Undertray/Diffuser

11-02-2008, 06:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
JUNGLISTluder High Roller Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 808 Images: 6	The Lotus airbag should be a direct swap as well. nice!! __________________ 96 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta 06 Lotus Elise Supercharged - SOLD 88 BMW 528is

11-02-2008, 07:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
apk919 User Restricted By ΑDMIΝ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Limbo Posts: 6,280 Images: 20	Me likey! (it would match my other Alcantara bits) __________________ 2007 AW Lotus Exige S. Factory Opts: Track Pack, Touring Pack, LSD Latest Mods: Sector111 RTDBrace, V3 eliminator, V2 Steering Arms & UltraDiscs, ChaseCam/Traqmate, Innovative 60A Engine Mounts, Moroso pan, NitronDA & Eibach 525/650, Gotham265, ReVerie CF front splitter, "banana" rear wing, and 5 element diffuser, TWRD CF side scoops, custom intercooler ductwork, Saikou Michi catch cans, TRD/Lotus Cup Air Box, Hawk HT-10 brake pads, LPL muffler My videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/apk919

11-02-2008, 10:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
cstetter Nothing witty to say Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,443	I WANT!!! Just checked that website - they will re-cover your original steering wheel for 239 Euros, so it's not a stock VX220 item. A trim shop should be able to do it as well, I guess. Last edited by cstetter : 11-02-2008 at 10:53 PM.

11-02-2008, 05:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	Awesome. If anyone gets it, I have a few steering badge overlays in black and silver left so that you won't have to have a Vauxhal emblem in your Lotus.

11-03-2008, 12:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
cd4age eH? Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 296	OMG I have been thinking about this for months! 'n here it is!! I wonder how much it is 2 wrap it vs buying a whole new wheel

11-03-2008, 10:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
Arno Nerd on wheels Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,044	That shop just re-trims/covers the original steering wheel with either real leather, suede or alcantara. It's not a steering wheel you buy.. You have to send it in and they cover it. And yes.. The Fed-Elise steering wheel originates from the Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220 and is identical apart from the center badge. Bye, Arno. __________________ My Elise + K20A2 + TODA bits == Heaven!

11-03-2008, 02:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	How does Alcantara hold up on a steering wheel? Does it get dirty real fast? Does the "knap" wear off and it get smooth and shiny? Can you clean it? Or do you have to wear gloves all the time when you drive so you don't ruin it?

11-03-2008, 03:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
sleeprfocus Every Car is a Project Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 816	239 Euros is a lot less than what I paid to have mine done here stateside Wish I saw this earlier. __________________ 2005 Lotus Elise (Jet Blue Metallic) - ForcedFed 340 2002 Ford Focus SVT (Pitch Black) - Powered by 4.6L of V8 goodness

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