The new dashboard is a big mistake IMO

[DRB]

The cockpit of the seventh-generation Mustang has been reimagined for the age of the digital car, but look closely at the details and it's clear that the engineers and designers that created this car know what kind of driver buys a Mustang. For us speed-loving, knuckle-dragging gearheads that still savor the roar and rush of a naturally aspirated V-8, the new Mustang's interior isn't about the screens.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2024-ford-mustang-interior-review/

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[gone_n_60]

Exactly how I feel…

Agree too, while I have the LED display it still feels more Mustang gauge like vs. this new ipad thingie. I'll be fine with that kind of display in a Explorer but not as much in the Mustang, losing the brow in the dash just feels less than...

 

[shogun32]

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2024-ford-mustang-interior-review/

per article:

the new Mustang's interior isn't about the screens.

Really now? Then why are they a giant eyesore instead of being deftly melded into the background?

with nearly all of the audio and climate controls relegated to the central touchscreen.

PROVING once more Ford is just blindly copying the STUPID that the first movers ALREADY admit as mistakes and are un-doing/done. I could understand if 2-3 years ago Ford was just #metoo but the world has realized their mistakes by now... So you couldn't be bothered to UNDO it before you went to final?

At least that screen presents large icons, clear graphics, and logical menus.

no, those icons and buttons are ENTIRELY too tiny and only useable when stopped.

there's a small shelf for standing a phone on edge with the screen angled up toward the driver and passenger

and SO FAR off the eye-line as to be DANGEROUS. And therefore pointless and useless.

The driver POV of the screen viewed thru the steering wheel shows the GIGANTIC dead border all the way around. WTF you couldn't source a less sucky POS panel? Is the 12" screen measuring the bezel corners or the active LCD? Let me guess, probably the bezel so it's only a 10"?

Worse they don't even use the full height of the screen they DO have to depict gauges and such. There's a solid 1/2"+ they just fade blue into black. Really? They just copied BMW's gauge cluster while they were at it?

Yet another UNcritical cheerleading article that might as well just have re-printed Ford PR. Pathetic.

 

[Tonystark]

Yeah, uh...the fact that it's in a Mustang makes it a Mustang dash.

It doesn't suit your individual idea of "what a Mustang should be?"

Well...okay, then.

Just because it's in a mustang, doesn't make it a Mustang dash. If you put a Camaro dash in the s650, does that make it a Mustang dash? ....... My bad, it does, because the exterior looks like a Camaro. That's not a problem with me, however, because I like the exterior (and the Camaro), but not as much as I like my '19.

That being said, if the interior had a dash similar to the s550, most people would like the s650 that much better, IMO. There is no shame in 'settling' for that ridiculous, un-mustang-like dash if you like the car for the most part.

 

[bloominguez]

Worse they don't even use the full height of the screen they DO have to depict gauges and such. There's a solid 1/2"+ they just fade blue into black. Really? They just copied BMW's gauge cluster while they were at it?

You haven't really seen space wasted until you've seen the horrific Ford Bronco dash.

 

[bloominguez]

I think the old BMW dashes were the best. Simple orange at night (easy on the eyes), extreme clarity. Fabulous.


I truly never thought I'd say this: Cadillac actually got some things right lately. Granted, not everyone is going to like the overall look or every element of their interiors. I was prepared to *not* like it, but I found myself impressed over time. Remember, Cadillac had the worst interiors in the world just a few years ago (capacitive touch with haptic feedback, worst of all worlds).

After driving a 5BW for a while, here's why I like what they did here:

1) Really well done dash graphics (several to choose from). I actually think they look good, which shocked me. Analog-looking tach with just the right amount of digital information surrounding it, customizable. You have the analog tach, digital speedo, simple indication of other things, such as if you have downshift rev matching enabled. Scrollable infotainment stuff to the right of the tach (trip od, audio info, directions, etc.). Fully customizable panes, four of them, to the left of the tach--tire pressure, oil temp, whatever.

2) A center display screen that is just big enough to show whatever I want to show, and tilted back a little so it doesn't dominate your view or cause as much glare/reflection. Sure, some may think it's too small. I like it like it is.

3) One of the best parts is the row of physical controls. Simple pushbuttons, clear display, up/down toggles for temp & fan speed. Ridiculously easy to adjust with just a glance. I need to go to the infotainment screen to do things like tune radio presets, infrequent stuff. For most purposes, the physical controls have me covered.

4) And, of course, the Tremec manual. I know, not what we're talking about here. I only bring it up to make a different point. I'd put up with the "crappy" (too many/large screens) new Mustang interior for the right drivetrain (Tremec only). Then again, I wouldn't buy a Mustang with a great interior without the Tremec, either. So I guess that's my way of saying that the interior doesn't matter *that* much, it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

 

[Evo1986]

I can't be asked to read all 16 pages. Bottom line is " you have to go with the time/trend" and that's what people are asking for, especially the new adopters. Period. This car will sell well nontheless so what is the point in debating? Leave the past behind. Ford have their plans and they know very well why the have integrated that digital dashboard.

 

[DRB]

Pretty much, yeah.

 

[Patio208]

I personally think this thread peaked a long time ago. Time for a lock? 16 pages and almost 2 weeks of complaining, SHEEESH! (joking but serious)

 

[Ace]

Just saw that BMW is also doing the same interior style as every other carmaker too.

 

[DRB]

Just saw that BMW is also doing the same interior style as every other carmaker too.

Looks a lot like the new Mustang.

 

[Cobra Jet]

I agree with @shogun32 - the new S650 dash is hideous at best - and I've been saying it since the "leaked" images many months ago.

As I posted previously in this thread, all the audiophiles are up shits creek trying to do an aftermarket system now - there's no way to "separate" the pieces to just do a stereo display upgrade.

I'm sure once someone tries to use Forscan, there's going to be issues too and I wouid not be surprised if Ford has implemented a way to tell IF someone has been messing around in the modules or software.

Did Ford even integrate a real EQ screen into the new dash at least?? LMAO, probably not.

That type of dash - in ANY vehicle - without any analog gauges or even integrated manual touch buttons or controls is a piss-poor design in ANY vehicle. It's a DISTRACTION to the driver and DANGER to others around that driver who's now fiddling with screens and screen menus maneuvering just to change HVAC controls or even to do what once was the simplest of tasks...

Wait until the first 2024 leaves a Cars-N-Coffee event and lands in a ditch because the driver was focused on changing the A/C temp +2*....

And - wait for the first thread:
"My dash is completely blacked out, can't access anything"....

LMAO... because you know that one is coming...

 

[Stonehauler]

My first introduction to a digital dash (and automatic shoulder belts) was a 1985 Toyota Cressida.

As you can see, this was very much a design of the 80s, but back then, it was very different from anything coming out of almost anywhere outside a TV studio. One of the biggest problems was that it was hard to tell if the lights were on in the car because the difference in brightness wasn't that much.

That said, consumers have been pushing Ford for more tech in their cars over decades, and Ford has responded. The new design gives you choices. Something you never had in previous generations. I am hoping it will give you options to display the information you want to see, not just what the original engineers thought 90 percent of the people needed to see. Example: Some cars today don't even have a Tach. Why is it needed when there is no manual option?

I mean, come on. How many of you would be willing to give up power windows? To some, that's unneeded tech, but for others...probably most of the US buyers, a manual window would be a deal killer. What about power seats? I know some people that won't even look at a Mustang because the seats don't have power adjustments for the angle of the seat back, much less some of the multi-contour seat adjustments some manufacturers have these days.

This is a change. To my personal knowledge, we have been having people complain about changes in the Mustang since the late 60s. Mustang II had it's detractors. Fox bodied Mustangs are considered nostalgic to some, boxes as as ugly as sin to others. Just go look at the 6g and 7g forums and you will see tons of people complaining about how the new generation of Mustang is ugly as they should not have changed it. Others have loved each of those changes. Let's hope that Ford makes use of these screens and lets us customize it for what we want/need to see and not just different shapes and colors.

 

[SINBUSTER007]

for me its not about the tech per say...i know that is the future. you cannot stop that. what gets me is they put 0% into the design element.... lets just create a shelf and set a huge tv on top and call it a day.... that's the issue with me. seems they put thought into just about every other aspect of the car except that. i think it would have been fine if they found a way to keep it looking "like a mustang" and adding the digital screens incorporated into a dash that people would look at and like. not just the shelf and screen i mentioned above.
but in a few years we wont be driving anyway....everything will be autonomous....
so who cares then.

 

[Bikeman315]

what gets me is they put 0% into the design element.... lets just create a shelf and set a huge tv on top and call it a day.... that's the issue with me. seems they put thought into just about every other aspect of the car except that. i think it would have been fine if they found a way to keep it looking "like a mustang" and adding the digital screens incorporated into a dash that people would look at and like. not just the shelf and screen i mentioned above.

I can tell you from having conversations with one of Mustang's interior designers that this 100% not true. An unbelievable amount of time, effort, and sweat equity go into every single design. That doesn't change just because you do not like it. Designs also evolve from the original sketches to final production. A lot of people have a say in this, not just the original designer.

Now as far as "looking" like a Mustang. OK, maybe, but times and the Mustang change, just look at the dashboards from every single manufacturer. There is a theme that runs through almost every single one of them. Some better, for a lack of a better word, some worse. But for right now we got what we got.

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