Technopark: always before your eyes

The distribution of points along the axles and wheels shows not only the Honda SG-V (pictured), but the Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4 and other crossover models

Painted” panel of the Chinese crossover Geely Atlas shows, in particular, the pressure and air temperature in the tires

Another “Chinese” – and Haval H9 – periodically burn through the diesel particulate filter. At this time, the cluster display “freezes”

Here are some beautiful photos of the Suzuki Vitara cluster displaying when changing driving modes

One of the “shy” in terms of dashboard design is the Ford EcoSport compact crossover.

Devices resemble a mini-motorcycle

The dashboard is what the driver sees more than the body of your car. Therefore, its design and information content, the clarity of the movement parameters that it demonstrates are important.

It's hard to believe, but quite recently, in the 90s of the last century, not all cars have a fuel gauge. To determine how many kilometers the fuel will last, drivers should carefully monitor the very inaccurate fuel gauge. The tachometer was a rarity. VAZ models of the first prestigious “three-ruble note” that came across to him (VAZ 2103), from “Moskvich” – 2141. Or “Zaporozhets” and “Tavria” this device was.

I think it was only on domestic models? Not at all! Italian Fiat Uno 1996, only two gauges are offered: speedometer and fuel gauge. Even the temperature sensor was not on it, instead there was only a light, zagorevskaya when the engine overheated. Today we have witnessed a real computer revolution. Rather, the revolution of on-board computers.

Do not be shy

Why don't engineers and programmers just “stuff” them today! Here are the average and instantaneous fuel consumption, and the candidate for its remains, and the average speed, and the movement in time and pressure (and temperature!) of the air in the tires. Although, of course, not all models are in this variety, you can still find “humble” ones.

For example, the Chinese crossover Lifan X60 on the round screen of the on-board computer (BC) shows the minimum parameters. And the Hyundai H1 minibus is like a UAZ Profi truck, counting only the mileage on the remaining fuel (even the average fuel consumption of these vehicles is not shown). However, this is typical for commercial vehicles. But on passenger models offered to the mass consumer, “carefully” is much richer.

The same Chinese contribute not only to their interesting design, but also to their quality. Therefore, when you turn on the average Geely Atlas audio system on the screen, funny “notes” begin to dance. It would be great if the “music” easily switched to the control of the BC, however, this algorithm is implemented clearly on cars.

Renault Sandero and Dokker, and Lada IKSRAY have two sections with many indicators, but each of them is displayed in the singular – familiarization with the following parameters is mandatory. That is, to control mileage, fuel consumption or anything else, you need to press the toggle switch. Despite the fact that even on a budget screen, Lada Granta gives more information per unit of time.

Everyone in the studio!

However, the vast majority of car issues have no display regardless of design and trip computer and dashboard in general. If we do not take into account cases of outright savings on these items (as in the Ford Ecosport), we can say that the dash car manufacturers do not. Some offer discreet, uncluttered designs (KIA, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Skoda, Toyota, Volkswagen), while others excel. Take a look at the “round” Honda CR-V and Renault Koleos. The “Japanese” tachometer scale is stretched out in a tape – this is unusual, but read! The “French” panel is picturesque and colorful (and the color can be changed), but the car seemed to be shy of its off-road potential: indicators for the choice of drive type too.

The Mini and BMW devices are like a motorcycle. The on-board computers are small but highly informative. The “highlight” of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is an indication of the off-road capabilities of an SUV: here you can even see the angle of rotation of the steered wheels. Two interesting screen offers the Suzuki Vitara cluster. One of them, the scarlet color “blooms” is an indicator of the load that crossover passengers experience in corners: the longer the petals of the red flower, the greater the acceleration of the riders. Another screen shows the implementation of the power and torque of the engine. On the move, “catching” the moment to the maximum is relatively easy, but the engine exploded to maximum power is much more difficult – try it!

In many cases, dashboards on modern RosPil cars. In other words, they are computer screens with crisp graphics, displays and hands with scales, and more. Of course, the image quality is higher, the higher the class of the model. Premium brands offer simply transcendent images: why on the panel is Audi, Range Rover and of course Mercedes-Benz. And still money in the premium segment remains devices with “live” analog hands – it's like expensive Swiss watches, which are valued in mechanical work. However, the Audi B8 electronic instrument cluster is available for a fee, in the state of this car – a “physical” speedometer and tachometer. But look at the quality of the performance panels, and you won't believe it, it's just computer graphics: designers and programmers were able to give arrows,