Interactive touch screens used to be the domain of larger, premium cars.
Now we’re seeing the touchscreen filter down to B-segment, with the latest models such the Renault Clio, Peugeot 208 and Toyota Yaris aiming to appeal to a new generation of customer who has grown up digital and expects the touchscreen connectivity of their smartphone in the car.
This year we’ve seen other mainstream models such as the new Peugeot 308, revised Opel Insignia and Ford S-Max concept showing a simpler IP architecture with a marked reduction in switches compared to predecessor models.
But there’s also more emphasis on craftsmanship and material quality throughout the cabin. At the top end, the new Mercedes S-Class and BMW i8 follow the Tesla S, with the majority of switchgear replaced by large tablet-style touch screens.
This increasing trend is not only more aesthetically appealing, but also liberates the cabin of distraction and clutter. Though we don’t believe that a implementing a touchscreen is the right answer in an automobile, it’s nice to see a return to simplicity in an age of excess.
