Software updates done on infotainment and driver
binnacle screens.
Among
the binnacle screen's most useful features is the ability to display Google Maps navigation right in the cluster.
Not exact matches
Most of the above is controlled via iDrive, one of our favourite infotainment systems and offers all the features you could want, accessed via the BMW's high resolution
screens in the
binnacle and atop the dash.
The Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster (a 12.3 - inch
screen housed in the
binnacle) is particularly good, so too are the Matrix headlights that project excellent light - output and automatically adjust the beams according to oncoming traffic.
I like the center stack controls; there are three different readouts: 1) the big nav
screen, on top in its own
binnacle; 2) a small readout with climate control info; and 3) another readout with radio information.
Another new option is the Active Info Display, a 12.3 - inch
screen that replaces the traditional dials and gauges in the instrument
binnacle.
The circular vents are gone in favor of rectangular openings that wrap onto the top of the dashboard, the right - hand instrument
binnacle swaps its analog gauges for a color LCD
screen, and the center stack morphs into the tall angled design that first debuted in the Panamera four - door.
There's plenty of room and although there are some obvious Ferrari elements — steering wheel, centre console, heater switches — the car feels and looks quite different with its deep, wrap - around
screen and sizeable, square instrument
binnacle.
A suite of technological functions will be accessible through Audi's Virtual Cockpit system taking up residence as a 12.3 - inch
screen situated within the
binnacle.
The cockpit had few frills and was driver focused: housed under the
binnacle were a pair of info - heavy TFT
screens either side of the analogue tacho, the dash was lavishly trimmed in leather but freed from clutter with many controls relocated to the steering wheel.
The main instrument
binnacle is housed inside a self - levelling
screen in the steering wheel centre, while three monitoring
screens above display scenes from the rear - and side - view cameras - the latter taking the place of traditional door mirrors.
Huge, sweeping
screens dominate both dashboards; a high - set, protruding 10.3 inch affair in the 7 Series, and not one but two 12.3 inch
screens inset into the broad driver's
binnacle of the Mercedes S - Class.
Every car on the launch had the Premium Pack (# 2,395), too, which keeps the larger
screen, but also replaces the seven - inch instrument
binnacle with another 10.25 - inch display.
The interior — much the same size as the SLS — is dominated by a big, rising centre console, with a tablet - sized infotainment
screen sitting above four round air vents ahead of it and a hooded instrument
binnacle in front of the driver.
It's broken up into four quadrants, each of which can be drilled - down for further information or to change settings, but it's very easy to back out and the
screen on its home page displays all the information you're likely to need at any given time, other than trip computer data, which appears in a display located between the major dials in the instrument
binnacle.
The extroverted instrument pad features a wide
binnacle, unique chrome - ringed instrument cluster and integrated centre stack with a high resolution colour
screen, zoned audio and climate controls and satin chrome detailing.
In place of the usual instrument
binnacle is a 12.3 - inch HD
screen that displays speed and trip computer functions, as well as 3D navigation graphics.
Inside — which Citroen say has best in class space — there are remnants of the Aircross Concept too, with a wide centre console, and 8 ″ infotainment
screen and a 12.3 ″ digital instrument
binnacle.
Bowing to pressure perhaps, MINI has moved the speedo back to the regular position, behind the steering wheel, and the big round
binnacle in the central console now houses the infotainment - that also includes the rear camera view and navigation
screen.
The lower section of the centre console is recognisable as a part used in multiple current Mercedes models, while the two 12.3 - inch
screens used for the instrument
binnacle and infotainment display are encased in a single glass panel, as they are on the current E-Class.
The infotainment
screen is housed in a silver - trimmed
binnacle, while a large central speedometer dominates the instrument dials.
Once climbing up aboard (literally), you'll find restyled instrument
binnacle, steering wheel, and infotainment system with 7.0 in colour
screen.
Among the available
screen displays is one with a virtual representation of a classic speedometer and tachometer; another with trip data and system status updates; one with a big tach and a small map; and one that shrinks the speedometer and tachometer, pushes them out to the corners of the display, and turns the rest of the space over to the navigation
screen's breathtaking Google Earth terrain map imagery into the instrument
binnacle.
Inside is similar to the Mazda2, with big instrument
binnacle and 7 ″ infotainment
screen controlled by a dial between the seats, and options like heads - up display on offer.
The display in the instrument
binnacle can show trip computer functions or infotainment (in two different Virtual Cockpit view modes), while those and sub menus for settings can be seen and operated from the MMI and infotainment
screen.
Additionally, the available larger Supervision Cluster / TFT LCD color
screen found in the instrument
binnacle now displays turn - by - turn directions from the navigation system, helping to keep the driver's eyes looking forward.
Still, most of the main contact patches are fashioned from higher - grade materials, and the main
screen in the dashboard
binnacle is of a good size and clear to read.
The same goes for the interior that sports a double
binnacle design for the instrument panel, a color LCD
screen sits in the radio display and the climate control system is a series of knobs and buttons that look more futuristic.
This is particularly noticeable if you are showing off: having the bright, moving navigation maps visible within both the instrument
binnacle and the large central touch -
screen can feel a little like watching the drive - in movie on the move.
But in contrast with the high - resolution touch
screen for the infotainment system, the trip computer functions in the instrument
binnacle are presented by means of an uninspiring red dot - matrix display that is looking pretty dated.
So, we can expect a plusher version of Audi's Virtual Cockpit instrument
binnacle display, two central
screens with haptic feedback surfaces, a 48 - volt mild hybrid system, and the promise of Level 4 autonomy being added further down the line.
The widescreen dual
screens remain optional (twin 12.3 in
screens merged together to form both the instrument
binnacle and the infotainment
screen), as they are in the saloon, and while they are crisp and clear and satisfying to use via capacitive buttons on the steering wheel or the Comand rotary controller, it is a little like walking in a medium - sized living room with a giant flatscreen television dominating the wall.
It is just a shame the display
screen doesn't run to the edge of the
binnacle, and there's very little you can do to customise or reformat it.