- Mazda’s new electric vehicle made in China has a very different dashboard design.
- The 6e and CX-6e feature a large screen that dominates the dashboard.
- The company’s European design boss defended this screen-heavy approach.
For years, Mazda bucked the screen-heavy trend by refusing to adopt large displays that dominate dashboards. However, recent model launches represent a radical departure from the old approach, in favor of massive infotainment systems. While jumbo-sized tablets raise concerns about potential disruption, the company’s design bosses in Europe see things differently.
In an interview with a Dutch magazine automatic weekJo Stenuit defends the move towards much larger infotainment setups. Discussing the CX-6e and its giant 26-inch touchscreen, Mazda’s European Design Director said:
‘The screen offers more possibilities to display information more clearly. And not necessarily more. In the CX-6e, we invite passengers to be part of the driving experience. ‘
Mazda 6e
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Photo by: Motor1 Italia
It’s worth noting that Mazda’s other electric vehicles, developed and built with its joint venture partner Changan in China, still feature a screen in front of the driver. Liftback 6e memiliki cluster instrumen 10,2 inci yang dipasangkan dengan layar sentuh 14,6 inci yang lebih masuk akal. This isn’t the only model that relies heavily on the screen, as the best-selling CX-5 is now available with a 15.6-inch center screen.
While you and I might be tempted to call the removal of most of the physical buttons and BMW iDrive-style rotary knobs a cost-saving measure, the company’s Zoom-Zoom says otherwise. Apparently, that’s what people want. Talk with Motor1 last year about the CX-5’s simplified dashboard, Tamara Mlynarczyk, public affairs manager for Mazda North American Operations, said:
Based on customer feedback, we developed a new human-machine interface (HMI) that prioritizes ease of use while maintaining Mazda’s safe driving philosophy. The new CX-5 changes from a commander display to a touchscreen center display, which is the perfect way to keep ‘hands’ off the wheel.’
It’s rare for an automaker to take a 180-degree turn over a previous generation model, and even then the vehicle is still on sale. Jo Stenuit narrates automatic week that “technology and markets have changed,” indicating that this is the direction interiors will take. Hopefully, Mazda will make an exception for the next Miata and avoid overloading the dashboard with a large screen, as this roadster should remain as driver-focused as the ND generation.
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Source: Mazda
Motorcycle Pickup1: This doesn’t mean that people are completely against screens, but making them the focal point of interiors stifles design innovation. Migrating frequently used functions from traditional buttons to touch screens is another tricky issue. I understand why some younger buyers prefer a full-screen experience, but a smaller screen paired with physical switchgear would be an ideal compromise.
With rear-wheel-drive SUVs like the CX-70, Mazda has almost perfected the balance between the size of the infotainment and the number of traditional controls. However, the future is increasingly unbuttoned and dominated by screens.
