interior design Archives

Preview of the inside of the all-new Mercedes-AMG SL

Final testing of the eighth generation of the SL model line of Mercedes-Benz is now being carried out and the new roadster, to be marketed under the Mercedes-AMG brand will be launched later this year. While full details of the new car are not being revealed, pre-production units must be on the assembly line and Mercedes-AMG can’t wait to show off the new interior.

The first 300 SL Roadster, launched 69 years ago, had a minimalist and high-quality interior and the designers of its 21^st century descendant have drawn inspiration from it. The interior design of the upcoming SL transforms the iconic tradition of the first Roadster into the modern era with a mix of analogue geometry and digital world – called ‘hyperanalogue’.

The cockpit design, right down to the adjustable central display in the centre console, is focused on the driver, as every genuine sportscar is. Its dimensional concept with 2+2 seats offers more function and space in the interior at the same time.

“The interior of the new Mercedes-AMG SL pampers driver and passengers with sophisticated luxury. The new SL combines the highest levels of comfort and quality in its interior, coupled with just the right amount of sportiness. The high-quality combination of analogue world and state-of-the-art digital equipment makes one thing clear: the new SL is the rebirth of an icon for the modern era,” said Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Describing the new car as ‘the most iconic SL ever’, Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of the Daimler Group, said it was a great opportunity and challenge for design because every designer wants to create icons.

The new and sophisticated dimensional concept once again allows a 2+2 seating configuration for the first time since the R129 SL generation of 1989. The added versatility allows for either additional persons on board, or the second row of seats can be used as additional storage space to accommodate luggage.

Aviation-inspired instrument panel
The symmetrical instrument panel is designed as a sculptural, powerful wing and structured into an upper and lower section. There are four galvanised turbine nozzles which merge into the instrument panel in the form of powerful power domes (with the frontal view resembling the face ‘Jar Jar Binks’, the character in ‘Star Wars’, observed one of our readers). The lower section of the instrument panel evolves fluidly from the centre console, seamlessly connecting the two elements.

Despite symmetry, the cockpit design creates a clear focus on the driver. The instrument panel’s high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD screen is not designed to be free-standing but is integrated into a high-tech visor. This prevents reflections caused by sunlight, a problem in some cars which can be irritating to the driver.

Adjustable touchscreen
The centre console dominates the space between the driver and front passenger. Rising sharply towards the front, it flows into the lower section of the instrument panel. The functional and visual centre of the centre console is the metallic panel that breaks through the leather surfaces at the front and rear.

Featuring the NACA air intake signature, it carries on the genes of the AMG GT and GT 4-Door Coupe. This design element thus becomes a hallmark AMG stylistic element in the interior. The NACA air intake transitions almost seamlessly into the tablet-like 11.9-inch multimedia touchscreen in portrait format. To avoid reflections caused by sunlight when driving with the top down, this screen can be adjusted electrically into a more vertical position, when necessary. Its portrait format offers clear advantages, especially for navigation, as well as more space ergonomically.

Integrated door panel design
Similar to the centre console, the surfaces in the doors also radiate fluidly from the instrument panel. The result is a gradient accentuated with decorative topstitching that frames the entire interior and runs past the turbine nozzles at the sides. The centre of the door is designed as a sensual layered topography.

The pull handle is also designed in the same way as the centre console and is another eye-catching feature. The materiality and modelling of the surfaces are repeated in the doors, creating balance in the interior. High-quality Burmester loudspeakers in real metal, whose perforation pattern also stands out visually, are integrated into the doors.

Sculptural seat design
The avantgarde seat of the new SL has a sculptural design in a sporty way with layers and enveloping surfaces. This makes the seats appear lighter and less voluminous. The headrests are integrated into the backrest and contribute to the sporty proportions of the seat, completing the symbiosis of high-tech, performance and luxury.

Latest MBUX system
As with every Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG sold today, the car will have the intelligent system known as the Mercedes-Benz User Experience, or MBUX. It is a second-generation system and some functional content and the operating structure correspond to those of the S-Class. They have been extensively supplemented or replaced by AMG-specific content and views. This makes the new SL highly independent in terms of communication and information.

The interior has become even more digital and intelligent, as hardware and software have been extensively enhanced. Brilliant images on the LCD screens make it easy to control vehicle and comfort functions. The appearance of the instrument cluster can be personalised with different display styles and individually selectable main views. Customers can also order the car with a head-up display as well.

Final real-world testing of next-generation Mercedes-AMG SL now underway

External designers create Virtual Interiors for Lexus LF-Z Electrified concept

Lexus, like the Toyota brand, is headed along the electrification road and more fully electric models will be added to the range in coming years. This next chapter has been started by the LF-Z Electrified, concept vehicle which made its world debut at the end of March this year. While a model looking exactly like the LF-Z Electrified might not be in showrooms, the concept car suggests the direction of the evolution of Lexus styling.

The interior of the concept car was developed by Lexus’ own designers and has many futuristic elements, as would be expected. Now, in a new approach, the brand has introduced the LF-Z Electrified Virtual Interior series to create a synergy between art, fashion, lifestyle, and technology that challenges the status quo of the automotive space. Conceived as a platform for collaboration, it brings together ambitious and innovative talent across a range of creative practices.

2021 Lexus LF-Z Electrified Concept — *The LF-Z Electrified concept and the interior developed by Lexus designers (below).*

For the Virtual Interior series, Lexus has partnered with three pioneering artists and designers to re-imagine the concept car’s interior. Star footwear designer Salehe Bembury, digital artist Ondrej Zunka and Japanese fashion label Hender Scheme bring virtually rendered interiors with future-inspired design, Japanese heritage and takumi craftsmanship, and an enhanced human-machine connection.

“LF-Z Electrified embodies the future of the Lexus brand, so it is exciting to see that future represented by such diverse talent across the design space,” said Brian Bolain, General Manager at Lexus International. “Each of the collaborators brings a fresh energy that not only reinterprets the interior of the LF-Z but also examines the themes of Lexus’ next chapter.”

Salehe Bembury
Kicking off the series is award-winning footwear designer Salehe Bembury, whose interior design concept embraces the future. Bringing his nature-inspired design approach to the LF-Z Electrified, Bembury conceptualized a virtual interior that blends both a futuristic aesthetic with organic materials alongside his signature use of bright colour.

His concept interior uses colours inspired by sandstone landscapes and other natural tones, setting aside traditionally futuristic materials in favour of natural materials like cedar, cork and granite. These natural materials sit alongside textiles and patterns that reference Bembury’s background in sneaker design, such as a ‘hairy’ suede used on the seatbacks, and a fingerprint motif that is often found in the designer’s work, applied here for a personalized control panel.

Ondrej Zunka
Forgoing traditional notions of car design and transporting the LF-Z Electrified further into the future, Ondrej Zunka’s cabin concept features space-age mechanisms, sci-fi materials and multidimensional hues that transcend both time and space.

“This interior design is purely speculative, so I allowed for free associations and pure imagination and creativity,” explained Zunka. “I wanted to make the interior feel as if it wasn’t made by humans, but maybe designed by a sophisticated Artificial Intelligence. I wanted to go past any known language and design concepts and forget about what is usually used in automotive interior design.”

Looking at Lexus’ commitment to intuitive technology, Zunka, through the lens of his digital art practice, renders a virtual interior that pushes the boundaries of functionality and design. The tech-forward interior imagines intelligent lighting along the car’s panels that emit an entirely visceral sensation that subtly regulates mood. Translucent silicone seat cushions with memory foam-like properties and a panoramic ceiling, crafted from brushed chrome, complete Zunka’s hyper-futuristic vision for the Lexus LZ-F Electrified.

Hender Scheme
With their deep focus on the natural material characteristics of leather, Tokyo-based fashion label Hender Scheme was a natural fit to reflect Lexus’ Japanese heritage and takumi craftsmanship. For virtual interior, Hender Scheme imagined an entirely leather interior juxtaposed with the concept vehicle’s groundbreaking technology. The untreated, organic material will develop a ‘patina’ over time, deepening in colour and becoming unique to each vehicle. The concept reflects the passage of time and the driver’s relationship to the vehicle.

In a process that mirrors the 60,000 hours of experience required of a Lexus takumi craftsman, the design is rooted in the work of specialty craftsmen. At the beginning of the process, leather requires trained eyes to identify its natural material characteristics for use on the project such as thickness and elasticity. From there, molding methods would be introduced to shape the leather to the roof, doors and dashboard, beautifully finishing these sculptural parts.

Lexus LF-Z Electrified Concept

Full-width displays on dashboard coming soon to more cars

The vehicle dashboard – that area below the windscreen at the front of the cabin – began with one side being dedicated to the driver (and associated with the ‘cockpit’ of an aircraft) and the other for the front passenger. It was generally like that for decades, the surface of the dashboard punctuated by various controls, switches and other ornamental decorations.

As more electronic systems were installed and more information could be presented on displays, the cockpit area widened. Then came infotainment, when more than just a radio or CD-player provided entertainment; as connectivity grew, the dashboard came the be used to house various systems which even passengers used and even wider displays appeared.

From pillar to pillar
Now, as we have seen with some of the latest Mercedes-Benz models, huge displays extend the full width of the dashboard to provide all kinds of information for the driver and other occupants. Fifty years ago, such an idea may have been seen only in concept cars but are now becoming a reality in production models the public can buy.

*Dashboard of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the 1950s and dashboard in the latest Mercedes-EQ EQS (below).*

The concept won’t be limited to a few brands as Continental has developed a pillar-to-pillar display and it is available to any carmaker. In fact, one global vehicle manufacturer has already placed a major order with Continental and will have the super-wide display in a production model in 2024.

Continental’s display that extends across the entire width of the dashboard is an integrated display solution from one roof pillar to the other at the front, providing space for a growing number of vehicle functions, digital services, as well as communication and infotainment applications. The solution makes the display the central visual interface between the driver, front passenger and digital driving experience.

Milestone in evolution of the car
Its launch in a high-volume production model marks another milestone in the evolution of the car into a smart device as part of the internet of things (IoT). Whether it is navigation, warning signs, movies, news, social networks, office applications or booking apps to plan the route, the information will be shown and easily viewed. Continental adds that the content will be ‘fully immersive and offers drivers and passengers a completely new user experience’.

“A driving experience that is digital and safe is becoming the most distinctive feature of modern cars. The size of the displays and their intuitive operation play a central role here. In short, what used to be horsepower is now screen diagonals and user experience,” said Dr. Frank Rabe, Head of the Human Machine Interface business unit at Continental.

“With the user experience, we already create value today. Each year, we supply a total of around 120 million products for human-machine interaction, equipping one in four cars worldwide. With the increasing significance of automated driving, the way in which we spend our time in cars is becoming even more important. As a result, there is also a growing need for solutions and services for the in-vehicle user experience.”

From pointer instruments to digital displays
Speedometer, tachometer, fuel consumption gauge – the time of the classic instrument panel is over. In view of the multitude of new vehicle functions and digital services that are pushing into cars with increasing connectivity, traditional pointer instruments and centre consoles are now too rigid and inflexible. The switch to vehicles with electric powertrains also changes some of the running information that has to be shown.

An exclusive focus on the driver is also no longer appropriate for the wide range of communication and infotainment services now available for vehicle occupants. Therefore, displays have been getting bigger and bigger for years. This also poses design challenges which, over time, have resulted in different shapes: from flat displays to curved displays that fit seamlessly into the cockpit, into V, C, L or S-shaped displays, accommodating both the driver and the front passenger, so that they can be reached with minimum effort.

As the size increases, several displays are connected under one surface to form a single unit. Creating invisible transitions is not the only crucial aspect here. Sensors and cameras that record driver behaviour can be seamlessly integrated. Convex and concave shapes are also increasingly being used so that the user can perceive the operating elements intuitively.

Transforming vehicle electronics architecture
Whether it is 3D without special glasses or pillar-to-pillar displays, Continental has been a pioneer in this digital cockpit evolution. In addition to the further development of screen solutions, the company is also driving forward the transformation of the vehicle electronics architecture with concepts such as the high-performance computer for the cockpit. In view of the fact that a few high-performance computers will replace the previous large number of dedicated control units in the future, the pillar-to-pillar display is the next evolutionary step and an expression of the increasing convergence of the car to a mobile data centre.

The changing view of the driver (w/VIDEO)

*Visit www.bhpetrol.com.my for more information.*

Car interiors have changed a lot from when drivers really did store gloves in the glove compartment, as the metal and wooden steering wheels of early vehicles got ice cold in winter. Believe it or not, house windows were used in cars initially – and only offered as an extra. And while windscreens could be opened in the early years, they became sealed when air-conditioning appeared.

As motoring became a leisure activity, cupholders became popular, especially in America. And automatic cigarette lighters were added at some point to provide convenience to the occupants, instead of having to strike a match.

Then came things like radios for entertainment on the road. Post-war dashboards were influenced by the space race, with more dials, switches and gauges, as technology became increasingly a key part of people’s lives. The advent of video games and the use of hand-held gaming controls influenced steering wheel design, with buttons placed within easy reach of the driver’s thumbs.

The evolution of the interior is ongoing as times change and usage requirements have changed as this video shows.

More but ‘less’
While the trend in recent decades was towards ‘more’ in the car interior to provide more ‘convenience’ – more buttons, more gadgets, more features, more elements – Ford is taking a reductive approach, using human-centric design to declutter the interior and create a holistic space.

Reductive design is intended to provide drivers with a more comfortable and simpler environment. In the case of the Mustang Mach-E, this includes a large, centralised touchscreen that consolidates many of the in-car controls in one place.

“When we think about how cars have changed, we think of what they look like from the outside, but it is from the inside that drivers and passengers see them most of the time,” said Amko Leenarts, Director, Design, Ford of Europe. “It’s been an incredible journey to the dynamic, holistic interior of the Mustang Mach-E, which does more with less while putting all the important controls within easy reach. And we will continue to take this approach with future vehicles, by listening to our customers and designing interiors that best suit their needs.”

Entirely new approach
To step inside the Mustang Mach-E is to encounter an interior unlike any Ford vehicle that came before it. The all-new design is the culmination of refining the things that customers want – spaciousness, technology and a perception of ‘warmth’. It is claimed to be a benchmark on the road towards electrification.

The smooth dashboard with integrated speaker is the latest iteration in an ongoing sear ch to make driving and travelling as enjoyable an experience as possible. For example, wireless charging pads and a digital owner’s manual do away with the need for cables and paper

*The driver’s ‘cockpit’ continues to evolve, as shown by these two pictures of the Ford Ranger’s interior in 2003 (above) and in 2021 (below).*

“New electrified vehicles with flat floors from front to back provide more spaciousness and offer designers a blank canvas on which to create interiors that place people at the centre of the design,” Leenarts said.

Understanding future needs
To better understand the younger generation of digital natives and anticipate future trends, Ford embarked last year on a unique project: co-creating a virtual gaming race car in collaboration with gamers. Almost a quarter-of-a-million esports fans took part in online polls to help determine the appearance of our extreme Team Fordzilla P1 race car – inside and out.

*With greater connectivity and telematics, dashboards will have less physical switchgear and controls, and more touchscreens to manage every function, along with voice command and control.*

“The P1 race car was all about streamlining the features down to the gaming essentials, such as speed, race position and lap time. Together with the toned down colour palette, this reduces distraction so the driver can focus on the race. We can also apply a minimalist approach to designing the interiors of the future, where what goes in is what customers want the most,” said Robert Engelmann, interior designer, Ford of Europe.

Visit www.sdacford.com.my to find out more about the advanced interior design of the Ford Ranger.

Human drivers use two eyes, autonomous cars need three eyes

Aston Martin can design an exclusive garage for you too

Aston Martin is well known for its fine and exclusive cars and even offers personalisation services to make them more exclusive. For those who also want the same design excellence for their homes – or just the garage to house their cars – the British carmaker also offers design services.

Service from Q by Aston Martin
The new design service was introduced a year ago and is an additional business of Q by Aston Martin, the division which does personalisation services for the cars. Known as Aston Martin Automotive Galleries and Lairs, it offers the opportunity for clients to work with the Aston Martin Design Team to create a home that has the car as the centrepiece (if desired).

Ultimate space for automotive displays
Understanding that, to the car enthusiast, the garage would be an important area of the house, a special auto gallery can be designed that either focuses on showing off the car or is part of a larger, integrated entertainment space. It would be the ultimate space to showcase automotive works of art.

One design concept shown as an example for an automotive space houses works of art including the Aston Martin Valhalla and the iconic DB5 in a subterranean circular space. The chosen car sits at the centre of this extravagant design that focuses attention on the car, whilst providing entertainment and leisure areas, along with living space for guests.

Automotive Galleries & Lairs can also come up with a design to fit the era if a customer has a heritage car. The spaces can be for a single car as a piece of automotive art or a full collection of cars in a private museum. These spaces provide an opportunity for people to create their own unique world where they can share their passion for cars with their guests.

The team has already produced interior design work for the 66-storey Aston Martin Residences in Miami, Florida, as well as collaborated on the design of Aston Martin’s global brand centre in Tokyo. The interiors of numerous Aston Martin dealership centres have seen involvement by the design team.

The first private residential estate designed by the Aston Martin service is Sylvan Rock (shown above), in collaboration with S3 Architecture. Located on 22.3 hectares of land in Rhinebeck, 90 minutes from Manhattan in the US state of New York, Sylvan Rock firmly embraces the natural landscape. It is described as ‘a truly visionary example of elegant, post-pandemic design thinking’.

[All images by Aston Martin]

AMR-C01 – the ultimate racing simulator from Aston Martin

First look inside the ID.4 – Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV

Volkswagen’s ID family of all-electric vehicles designed from scratch consists of at least seven models, of which two are ready for the market. The first is the ID.3, a hatchback based on the original ID concept shown 4 years ago. Production is underway and order-taking began in July this year, with first deliveries starting in October 2020.

Now attention is being switched to the ID.4, which will be the brand’s first all-electric SUV, to reach the first customers before the end of this year. Like what some other carmakers have been doing, highlights are being revealed prior to the commercial launch (at the end of this month).

Following a description of the aerodynamic exterior, we are now being told about the interior. Having had the opportunity to start from a clean sheet – or perhaps a clean hard disk might be a more appropriate term – the interior designers have been able to provide plenty of space with a purist approach. This has been partly helped by the use of the new MEB platform, developed for electric vehicles.

Traditional SUV elements maintained
While there is much departure from traditional SUVs, some elements are maintained – like the large door openings, commanding all-round view and high seating position. These are what people have been buying SUVs for and would still expect even if the powertrain is entirely different.

The door handles on the ID.4 lie flush with the body and come with electric unlocking. Inside, the cabin area is a generously planned space with the rear seat bench offering as much space as a conventional SUV in the next higher category. There’s also plenty of luggage space and even with the rear seats in use, the available volume is 543 litres.

The front seats are sporty and comfortable, their design and structure bearing the seal of approval by the German Campaign for Healthier Backs. They will come with a number of electrical adjustment options, while their pneumatic lumbar supports have a built-in massage function.

The materials used underline the character of the ‘feel-good’ lounge. There will be versions with seat covers made from animal-free materials. They are constructed of a combination of leatherette and ArtVelours – a microfibre material that consists of around 20% recycled PET bottles.

Ample sense of space
The ID.4’s interior design underlines the ample sense of space. Similar to the exterior design, it appears flowing and lightweight, focussing on the essential. The dash panel seems to be floating, as it is not linked to the centre console, which has been designed as an independent component.

The steering wheel, steering column, the housings of the display and control panels in the doors come in trendy Piano Black or purist Electric White. The bright colour sets a futuristic highlight throughout the vehicle interior and underlines its clear-cut design.

A large, tilting panoramic sunroof made of glass (optional) gives unrestricted view of the sky. As darkness falls, the background lighting can be adjusted within a 30-colour spectrum to set striking highlights in the vehicle interior.

Klaus Zyciora, Head of Volkswagen Group Design, emphasises that the entire display and operating concept has been designed logically and with a straightforward character. “The intuitive operability of the ID.4 brings a new, electric ease to the crossover SUV category,” he explained.

ID.Light
ID.Light is a new feature that will be offered in all ID. models. This is a light strip below the windscreen which supports drivers in a host of situations with intuitive lighting effects in different colours.

For instance, ID.Light will signal to the driver that the vehicle’s drive system is active and that the car has been unlocked or locked. It accentuates information issued by the driver assist and navigation systems and signals braking prompts and incoming phone calls.

In conjunction with the navigation system, ID.Light helps to smoothly guide drivers through traffic. By blinking, it recommends a lane change and can also warn the driver if their ID.4 is in the wrong lane.

For sale in major regions
The ID.4 will be part of the globally booming, compact SUV segment and Volkswagen’s plans call for it to be produced and sold not only in Europe but also in China and later in the USA. For this reason, the Volkswagen brand will be investing 11 billion euros in electric mobility by 2024 as part of the Transform 2025+ strategy.

2020 Volkswagen ID.3 makes global debut

Winners of 2020 Volvo Cars & Aurizn EcoDesign Challenge announced

Six Malaysian interior design firms have been picked as the winners of the 2020 Volvo Cars & Aurizn EcoDesign Challenge. The event, which began in May this year, required participants to submit their most creative ideas which could bring Scandinavian philosophy of human-centric design to the fore, focusing on functionality and sustainability to bring out the natural and organic beauty of a product.

For 2020, the Swedish car brand has collaborated with duduk (a brand by Eco World Development Group Berhad) and lifestyle publishing house Aurizn. This year, participants had the opportunity to join an online briefing with Jonathan Disley, Head of Design at Volvo Car Asia Pacific and Owen Ready, Head of Strategic and Brand Design of Volvo Cars, where they learned how to consider Volvo Cars’ Scandinavian philosophy to inspire their designs.

In addition to designs that display a high level of originality and understanding of Scandinavian aesthetics, this year’s submissions were also judged based on functionality, material quality, the emotional quotient that the space brings, and sustainability – all of which shape Volvo’s design philosophy.

Public involved in voting
From the 50 entries received, 22 submissions passed initial evaluation on budget compliance and completeness of inventory. These were then put online for the Malaysian public to vote for their favourite designs, where the votes had accounted for a portion of the total score given by the panel of judges. The 10 designs with the highest online voting scores were shortlisted for final judging, out of which the six highest scorers were announced winners.

Among the 10 shortlisted designs, A&A Concept Design & Contract Sdn. Bhd., Forfar Design Sdn. Bhd., IQI Concept Sdn. Bhd., Orb Group Sdn. Bhd., Kort Studio and Studio BEVD Sdn. Bhd. were chosen by online voters and the judging panel.

*Winners of the 2020 Volvo Cars & Aurizn EcoDesign Challenge*

A Volvo for 6 months
The winning firms will each have usage of a Volvo S90 T8 Inscription Plus for 6 months and, more importantly, they will be awarded contracts to furnish the top three floors of two duduk by EcoWorld projects. In total, the six contracts are worth a combined value of RM4.5 million across both developments. This represents the first occasion in which a new property development is available for purchase with interior design inspired by Volvo Cars’ philosophy.

“Scandinavian design at its best is often understated yet stands out by the mere presence of its simplicity,” said Nalin Jain, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia. “This functional, open and minimalistic design language can be seen in all Volvo cars. On the outside, we have clean and proportioned lines that look and feel just right; and inside, careful craftmanship, attention to details, and quality, earthy materials that create an open, uncluttered space. The six winners today succinctly captured Volvo’s design philosophy and translated them into Malaysian homes, and for that, they have my heartfelt congratulations.”

Click here for other news and articles about Volvo

Porsche reveals interior of Taycan fully-electric sportscar

The Taycan represents a new era in the history of Porsche cars as it is brand’s first all-electric sportscar. Unlike its entry into the SUV segment, Porsche has not been slow to develop a fully-electric production sportscar model and not surprisingly, offering pioneering technology to go with the high performance the brand is expected to deliver.

Both inside and out, the Taycan will be truly a car of the electric age and Porsche is now letting the public take a peek at the interior before the sportscar makes it world debut next month. Commenting on the interior design, Ivo van Hulten, Director Interior Design Style Porsche at Porsche AG, said: “The Taycan interior combines design elements typical for the brand with a new type of user experience, and impresses with its simple elegance. Less is more applies here too.”

Typical Porsche cabin
The original 911’s cleanly styled dashboard from 1963 was the inspiration. The stated goal was to bring it into the present day. The cockpit signals the start of a new era with its clear structure and a completely new construction. It is clearly driver-focused, the instrument panel clean and minimalist with an ultra-modern design. The free-standing, curved instrument cluster forms the highest point on the dashboard. It is clearly focused towards the driver and ensures that everything that’s needed for driving fast and safely is in view.

The innovative instrument cluster consists of a curved 16.8-inch screen with the rounded look that’s typical of Porsche. A cowl has been omitted, which ensures a slim and modern appearance in the style of high-quality smartphones and tablets. Real glass and a vapour-deposited, polarising filter give anti-reflective properties.

4 display modes
The Classic mode (power meter) evokes the rounded instruments typical of Porsche. This display delivers information that’s clearly arranged, allowing for fast readability. A power meter replaces the rev counter in the middle instrument.

Next is the Map mode which replaces the central power meter with a map layout. Full Map mode, when chosen, intentionally omits the round instruments in favour of a navigation map displayed across the full display. The Pure mode displays only essential driving information such as speed, traffic signs and navigation using a minimalist arrow.

There are also small, touch-control fields at the edges of the screen for operating the light and chassis functions. The instrument cluster is therefore wider than the steering wheel and reminiscent of the iconic original 911.

The steering wheel has a light appearance, with two models to choose from. In addition to the basic version, which can be customised with coloured inserts as part of the accent package, Porsche also offers a GT sports steering wheel option. It has a distinctive design with visible screw heads and features a typical Porsche round mode switch which can be used to select the various driving modes.

The upper and lower sections of the dashboard stretch across the entire width of the vehicle in the shape of a wing. A central 10.9-inch infotainment display and an optional passenger display are combined to form an integrated glass band in a black-panel look, thereby blending in visually with the interior.

All-new user interfaces
All user interfaces have been completely re-designed for the Taycan, possible since it is an entirely new car from the ground up. The number of traditional hardware controls, such as switches and buttons, have been greatly reduced. Instead, control is intelligent and intuitive – via touch operation or a voice control function that responds to the command “Hey Porsche”.

The elevated centre console intensifies the feeling of a low seating position, as you would expect from a Porsche. It features a large 8.4-inch touch panel with haptic feedback. This allows the air-conditioning settings to be altered directly. Integrated handwriting recognition also allows quick address inputs.

Every detail has been reduced to the essentials. Like the 918, the Taycan has a compact direction selector switch in the instrument panel instead of the classic selector lever. This gives the centre console a tidy look and creates storage space.

A reduction to the essentials and a clear approach are also evident for the air vents. These have been fully modernised and can be operated intuitively. Traditional, mechanically-operated louvres belong to the past, as airflows are now controlled both digitally and fully automatically (Virtual Airflow Control).

An optional 4-zone automatic climate control system installs an additional 5.9-inch touch control panel with haptic feedback allows the system to be operated from the rear seats.

Innovative material concepts
The Taycan’s colour and material design allows for individualised equipment, from traditional through to sustainable and modern. A new feature is the fully leather-free interior with state-of-the-art surface textures. ‘Race-Tex’ material is used, a high-quality microfibre material partially consisting of recycled polyester fibres. Its production has 80% less carbon dioxide than traditional materials. The floor covering uses the recycled fibre ‘Econyl’, which is made from, among other things, recycled fishing nets.

2020 Porsche Taycan — *Prototype Taycan that was displayed at a Formula E event*

Click here for other news and articles about Porsche on PISTON.MY

Visit www.porsche.com.my for information on new and pre-owned models sold in Malaysia

Piston.my

interior design

Preview of the inside of the all-new Mercedes-AMG SL

External designers create Virtual Interiors for Lexus LF-Z Electrified concept

Full-width displays on dashboard coming soon to more cars

The changing view of the driver (w/VIDEO)

Aston Martin can design an exclusive garage for you too

First look inside the ID.4 – Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV

Winners of 2020 Volvo Cars & Aurizn EcoDesign Challenge announced

Porsche reveals interior of Taycan fully-electric sportscar

Aston Martin Implies the “Piss-off Factor” to Its Interior Design

Malaysian Spec smart #1 Interior Revealed

More Natural Lighting In The Volvo EX90 Enhances Wellbeing, Makes Driving Safer Too

New Porsche Cayenne To Have Dashboard With Three Screens, Making Passenger More Of A ‘Co-Driver’

Scenic View Head-Up Display By Continental Has Full-Width HUD Panel

Hyundai Motor Group uses automotive expertise in design of Supernal eVTOL vehicle

Audi grandsphere concept shows Audi’s future electric flagship and technology

The power of touchscreens and dashboards of the future

Three new concept cars show design of Audi’s future luxury models

Designing the Porsche interior of the future

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