Unusual Materials in Car Interiors: Wool, Marble, and More

Discover how wool, marble dust, and mohair redefine luxury in modern car interiors with examples from Volvo, BMW, Bentley, and Mercedes-Maybach.

Once dominated by leather, polished wood, and brushed aluminum, the world of car interiors is now undergoing a quiet revolution. Designers are looking beyond the traditional and embracing materials that once seemed out of place on four wheels. From wool and marble to mohair and — believe it or not — bacon, the interior of the future is part luxury, part lab, and part art gallery.

Wool: Beyond Sweaters

Volvo took an early lead by introducing Woolmark-certified upholstery in its all-electric XC40 Recharge. The material is a mix of 30% natural wool and 70% recycled polyester. More than just cozy, the blend offers breathability and temperature regulation, keeping things comfortable in all seasons. Combined with the car’s air purification system, the result feels more like a well-designed living space than a typical cabin.

Bentley went a step further with its limited Mulliner Bacalar. Scottish tweed and natural wool form the interior’s visual and tactile centerpieces. According to Bentley, this handmade approach brings texture and individuality to the forefront, reinforcing its dedication to traditional British craftsmanship.

BMW’s flagship i7 offers a different take. Cashmere-wool blend accents paired with Merino leather give the cabin an enveloping warmth that contrasts with the sterile gloss often found in luxury cars. It’s a tactile experience as much as a visual one — soft, natural, and distinctly premium.

Marble in Motion

Leave it to the Italians to reinvent stone. The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE concept, designed in collaboration with furniture brand Cassina, integrates panels made from marble dust and recycled wool. It's more than a stylish gesture — it’s a declaration of sustainable intent that fuses strength with softness.

Designer Marco Guazzini took it further with Marwoolus, a composite material where marble veins and wool fibers merge. The outcome? A warm, stone-like texture that feels both organic and futuristic. While not yet used in production vehicles, Marwoolus shows immense promise as a sustainable, tactile alternative to plastics and veneers.

And the Llama?

Surprisingly, despite the surge of natural fibers, there is no documented use of llama wool in car interiors — yet. It might not be long, though. With sustainability pushing boundaries, even exotic fibers could find their place behind the wheel.

Haute Couture on Wheels

The Mercedes-Maybach S 680 Haute Voiture takes fashion to the streets — literally. Its interior features gold-tone Bouclé fabric, linen and mohair carpets, and rose gold trim. It’s not just a car interior; it’s an immersive fashion statement.

Nissan, too, has flirted with the bizarre. The company once considered bacon-themed trim and developed a synthetic leather meant to mimic the softness of baby skin. While some of these ideas remain conceptual, they reflect a willingness to think far beyond the showroom floor.

Final Thoughts

The modern car interior is no longer bound to wood and leather. It’s a testing ground for creativity, sustainability, and cultural expression. From wool to marble, from high-fashion fabrics to outlandish prototypes, the materials of tomorrow’s cabins tell stories as rich and layered as the vehicles themselves.