Classic Porsche stratified product marketing.... where leather is not simply leather-- if we want the "good" leather we pay extra.
adam s, the
standard Sport Steering Wheel on the 997S has a pebble-grain, slightly textured leather covering the rim and center hub over the airbag. Having spec'd option 460, your steering wheel gets a smooth, softer leather covering the rim and center hub (btw this same upgraded smooth leather comes standard if you order Option 431 Multi-function Steering Wheel in leather, or multi-function in carbon, wood, alum look...).
That's the only difference. Stop at a dealer and hold the wheel of a 997S with no steering wheel option listed on the window sticker & you will detect a difference. I can't vouch for your friend's car, maybe he bought from stock and never noticed the optional extra-cost steering whl.
XPA is noticeably thicker wheel rim, it's unlikely that you would confuse XPA with standard-thickness wheel if both cars side by side. The XPA wheel also benefits from what seems like an even
more butter-soft grade of leather than 460 smooth leath-- many have remarked XPA wheel feels almost suede-like.