"Modular" infotainment screens. No flow to the dash design. Sticks up like an aftermarket bolt on. Is this lazy design, or smart design, or something else?

BMW M4


Audi S5 (2018)


Mercedes CLS


I just noticed this on the German "Big 3", but others are guilty too.

Mazda 3

 

I always assumed they were removable tablets........

 

That'd at least make it worth it. BTW, since when did a BMW interior look better than an Audi interior? Subjective, I know, but...

 

I didn't like it at first either, in almost all the pictures I saw. But after using them in a new 5-series and Mazda 6, I feel they are better than the in-dash screens. Higher in your line of sight, makes the center stack look less cluttered and frees up space for other things (HVAC controls, radio, storage compartment). Gives the interior designer a bit more creative freedom as well. Theoretically there might be an issue with glare, but as long as a quality display is used, that isn't an issue.

Tell me about it. That A5 interior is boring. But that display in the gauge instrument panel is really nice, and a trend that I'm liking.

 

BMW did the same thing, though perhaps a little unfair since it's comparing a previous gen to the 2017. Still, you can see the effects. IMO the bezel around the screen in the older 5-series looks cheap, especially in comparison to the all-new design (BMW? lol) in the 2017. Upper portion of the dash flows more nicely.

 

The one exception that I really like is the new S-Class. But this is in a league of its own.

 

I am not fan of them either. They look like they're supposed to retract but they don't. I also feel like I could easily break them off.

But what do I know? BMW sales certainly aren't struggling, haha.

 

So my mom was deciding between a GLC 300 and a RDX. One of the deciding factors was that she hated they way the MBs screen just looks tacked on like its attached to a suction mount on top of the dash, whereas the RDX one looked like it was designed and integrated into the console. Personally I don't think it looks that bad.

 

The S-Class, iirc, is just 1 ( or possibly 2) very big screen that outputs the across the driver's view. It's incredible, but I bet it's a nightmare to service if it has issues. I guess the appeal behind this trend is the sleek, crisp detail of the screen and its ability to provide a lot of data. It does look out of place on the Germans, & even a couple Lexus have them looking like pop ups like the new RX.

As far as new nav units go, I'm quite fond of the new Panamera & GT4C Lusso screens even though they're more traditionally set in the dash.

 

100% agree they look odd. Not a fan.

 

I didn't care for it either, but the ones I've driven with it, it doesn't bother. I suppose it allows them to keep the display more in your line of sight, so you don't have to look 'down' at the screen; without having to raise then entire dash to that height.

 

this caught my attention in the new S-class, I was like wtf is this wizardry

 

Not a fan of it either. Looks disjointed and disconnected

 

I'm a big fan. I think it looks sharp and it's different from the same old design.

Although scary, change isn't a bad thing, folks!

 

^ Change is great, if it looks well thought out. These do not. If it was integrated better then I'd be on board, but like CL Power said they look like they're removable tablets. I'd have a hard time not wanting to rip that thing off my dashboard when locking the car up.

Then again, I have a Dodge Charger, so interior design isn't my top priority obviously.

 

All digital dash. Love it in my [humblebrag]Grandmother's S550[/humblebrag]. I don't think there's a single incandescent bulb in the current S & the only thing that's analog is the little clock.

 

I dont mind the BMW as much. The new Audi and lower class Benz make me want to puke

 

I hate the Audi one more and more by the second. Whats up with the massive gear selector?

 

only my 2nd time seeing you mention Gma's S550, so I aint trippin like that other poster...
but what color are her seats!?
the one pictured above has some awesome red seats!! very striking

 

Hers is Lunar Blue (I think) with the sport package. Black interior. All I have are a couple exterior shots from Thanksgiving a couple years ago.



/threadjack
/humblebrag

 

Is she single? Looking to mingle?

 

Guess who's going to be following this tread?

Acura Precision Cockpit

 

ewww

 

Personally, I like it (referring to OP). I think BMW looks the best. 2nd would be Audi.

They're doing this because "you never put Navigation screen under the vents."

 

IMO, it looks 'unfinished' to just have the tablet sticking up behind the wheel.

 

that was my first reaction, but it's clearly a cutout. there's no windshield, so it might look better in car?

 

The A7 I test drove 2 years ago had a retractable screen I like the one in my 6, it's not bad and well integrated. This isn't mine but you get the idea . . .

 

dafuq?! Watch out for that pedestrian in your 2.

 

Not a fan of the monolith look trend for infotainment/nav screens.

 

Thought it was an odd trend as well. First really noticed it in the redesigned Mercedes C class. Went from a nice integrate screen to a tablet stuck on the dash. Then we got one as a service loaner when the E was in for a maintenance and realized that it was pretty well executed. It does not obstruct your view at all and when you need it it's a large, clear, easy to view and use screen. I was pleasantly surprised.

So now I withhold judgement until I am actually in that specific car b/c it may work better in execution than it appears to in the pictures...

 

Hard to disagree here

 

Hot damn....grandmas S550 makes an appearance. It's definitely not Lunar Blue though.....

As far as this trend, I don't mind it. As long as you don't have to look down and take your eyes off the road while driving, I'm all for it. It would be cool if it was a removable tablet, however. Waiting for a manufacturer to come out with that...

 

Maybe Anthracite Blue. Not sure, just judging based on the current color palette. Definitely blue though.

 

after almost 5 years of ipad looking Navi screen from my F30 and F36, i am used to it, but it does not mean i don't think it looks odd and out of place.
The good things is, BMW's resolution, user friendliness and all the small details that you would only notice after having the car for a while make up for the weird looking screen.

If it was up to me, i still prefer the integrated look rather than a stick on. I blame Apple for this.


Audi has a lot of new technology in their new cars but they wanted the simplified look, end up with something like this:

 

I hated these pop up but not pop up screens until this thread, now the "Integrated" screen looks old

MB went all out though, as noted earlier.

Stole these from 2K2SilverTL-S

 

The F10 5 series integrated Navi is like 8 years old. So naturally it will look outdated.

But if done correctly, it should look a lot more "smooth" than a stick on Ipad.

See what RICK TLS posted

 

I like Tesla Model-S, so clean

 

I never liked the look when I saw it in brochures/online. I bought an A4 and I've quickly forgotten about it. I like that's its more in my line of sight.

 

I think Teslas are really cool and wouldn't mind owning one but this is the ONE thing I despise the most about the car. It's like having a full-size monitor in the car and too distracting to me.

 

^^ Couldn't agree more. This might make me sound old, but I'm more of a knobs and buttons guy. IMO they are more elegant than screens.