CAR WARS: Tech Showdown! WHO Currently Makes The BEST Instrument Panel Today?

I think it would be pretty hard to argue against the importance of an instrument panel that is easy to read, displays valuable information and can be customized per the driver/their intention/needs. And like everything in today's world, that means instrument panels have gone digital.

No more are clusters home to analog gauges. The forefront of IP technology is going towards large-format screens that allow for anything a driver could imagine.

And like most things, some are doing it better than others.

Having said that, we wanted to poll the Spies to get their opinion. As a tech-savvy crowd, we know that you want only the best displays, so, we've got to ask:

WHO is currently making the BEST instrument panels in the automotive business today?

Is it Audi? Could it be Volvo? How about Ford? Lexus?

What say you, Spies?

MDarringer - 4/14/2018 2:19:42 PM

-1 Boost

I prefer gauges. I don't want a video game on the dashboard. I want knobs and buttons. I don't want endless screens that divert my attention from the road. Given that the industry is doing the exact opposite of that, I find most modern interiors a complete fail.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 4/14/2018 4:11:11 PM

+3 Boost

Agreed. The glass cockpit look belongs in planes, not vehicles.

MDarringer - 4/14/2018 4:35:08 PM

0 Boost

Then when you see fingerprints all over them it becomes more ghastly

vdiv - 4/14/2018 11:24:29 PM

+2 Boost

Buttons and knobs?! Nah, tillers and cranks! ;)

MDarringer - 4/15/2018 9:02:25 AM

-1 Boost

@vdiv I would like to gift (sic) you a Tesla Model X and encourage you to watch Harry Potter movies in it.

vdiv - 4/15/2018 11:27:10 AM

+4 Boost

@MDarringer why, thank you! Perhaps a Model 3 with no instrument panel at all. I'll take a road trip in it from Florida to Mountain View, CA.

MDarringer - 4/15/2018 11:44:10 AM

0 Boost

Enjoy the month-long trip that it would be that is if you don't suffer the consequences of Autokill first.

vdiv - 4/15/2018 3:10:17 PM

+3 Boost

http://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/17312/tesla-model-3-sets-new-ev-cannonball-run-record-of-50-hours-16-minutes
And yeah, they used Autopilot.

MDarringer - 4/15/2018 5:39:24 PM

-2 Boost

So typical of you to be oblivious to the point.

vdiv - 4/15/2018 9:31:33 PM

+4 Boost

Oh no, the point is very clear, just trying to share with you a different point, that's all.

cidflekken - 4/14/2018 5:50:33 PM

+3 Boost

I don't know about the best one(s) as many companies seem to be moving in a similar direction with digital displays in a more traditional binnacle, with the center info screen.

However, I can say that I think my least favorite front display is Audi's Virtual Cockpit. It has a very cluttered feel that doesn't appeal to me.

bw5011 - 4/14/2018 7:42:47 PM

0 Boost

You can pretty much make the Audi display look like you want it. If you don't like all the information displayed you can change it so it is not there.

cidflekken - 4/14/2018 7:57:26 PM

+4 Boost

Yes, I am aware of that. It's still not a display to my liking, no matter how it is formatted.

TheSteve - 4/14/2018 5:51:27 PM

+3 Boost

BMW and Audi used to have gorgeous panels. Those days are gone.

TomM - 4/14/2018 5:57:02 PM

+3 Boost

Sorry - as long as the dash provides the information that I want to have - I really do not care if it is real Gauges or Virtual ones. Since the "dash" is not optional equipment that you can take parts of with you from car to car anymore (You could take your own gauges at one time) - YOU really do not have a choice - and anyone who says that they choose their PERFORMANCE car based on the gauges is telling a tale.

People were complaining mightily about the Audio-video-media interface combinations that are only NOW becoming something they are capable of being. But - they still bought the car - probably for some other valued trait the car had.

I highly doubt the Matt will refuse to buy his loved TVR if it has Virtual Gauges. There might be some other thing about the TVR that he considers more important!

7msynthetic - 4/14/2018 7:04:40 PM

+4 Boost

WHO cares.

MDarringer - 4/15/2018 8:49:40 AM

-1 Boost

We all care. Look around you Mrs. Robinson. All you see are sympathetic eyes.

valhallakey - 4/15/2018 11:29:16 AM

+3 Boost

What traits make a good IP? IMHO you need clear main instruments speedometer, tachometer, oil presssure, fuel gauge, battery charge and water temp gauges. They should be dials that allow you to get the information at a glance. In addition they should be easily readable both day and night. I remember while in the Air Force they had done a study on night time illumination concluding most important gauges should have red needles as the light has a short wave length and appears sharp and clear as opposed to blue needles since blue light has a longer wavelength and can appear fuzzy at a glance. So I would judge an IP based on some of that criteria.

t_bone - 4/15/2018 11:55:22 AM

+2 Boost

I'm fine with what I LOOK at being a screen. But for driving interactions, there has been far too much movement away from tactile controls. I suspect it is much cheaper to manufacture, to discard mechanical bits.

Regardless of anything else, I love a primary or supplemental digital speedometer. Critical equipment for hostile enforcement states like Virginia, Massachusetts, and Missouri.

Runamukk - 4/16/2018 10:54:59 PM

+1 Boost

I like digital gauges and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Being able to customize my cockpit with relevant information that I prefer appeals to me. I do wish they would incorporate a 3d element to it similar to Nintendo 3ds technology to give it more depth though.