BMW 5 and 7 Series to get full LCD instrument display | CarAdvice

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BMW 5 and 7 Series to get full LCD instrument display

BMW 5
By Brett Davis |
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Autoblog in the US has reported that the next-generation of the BMW 5 Series and the BMW 7 Series will get a new LCD instrument cluster to display gauges. The technology will allow users to select between different layouts and styles.

Other companies have been doing it for a while now, the Lexus LFA for one, as well as some Jaguar models and the Mercedes-Benz rivals such as the S-Class. BMW has apparently kept things simple with the display though, and has tried not to over-complicate things.

BMW’s have been renowned for offering too much flexibility in the past, but the LCD cluster is said to be simple to adjust while still offering plenty of flexibility. The speedo and tacho will be customisable, as will other features, such as the placement of the sat-nav and multimedia functions and displays.

The new layout is said to be headed, initially, for the BMW 7 Series in 2013, and then a year later in the next BMW 5 Series.


 

  • Corkas

    Great idea. I love digital displays and it’s good to keep them simple, but i hope it doesn’t look like the photo. It looks a bit outdated and cheap for a BMW in my opinion…

    • Roadtard

      Looks crap – like a digital wristwatch looks crap.

  • Karl

    I think all manufactures will move to this setup as the price of the screens come down. It’ll be easier to install on the production line.

  • Toyota Guru

    Some JDM Toyotas are running LCD instrument displays, Crown and Crown Hybrid are a couple I can think of. Don’t be surprised if the next Camry/Aurion/Hybrid Camry runs it in the top of the range variants.

    It’s amazing that in this day and age we still have conventional analogue needle type instruments. Whatever happened to the so-called “Star Wars” instrument displays that were all the rage in the mid 80s? XF Fairmont Ghia, VK Calais, Supra etc.

    • MattP

      Analogue speedos in the traditional style have been proven to be ideal for driving as you do not need to look directly at them to know what speed you’re doing.

      For example, most cars in Australia will have a speedo which, at 100km/h or 110km/h, has the needle pointing straight up. That means you can be looking at the road while you drive and see, from the needle pointing straight up in your peripheral vision, that you are doing the speed limit (as applicable). Clever!

      The old school digital displays from the 80′s cannot deliver that, because you have to take your eyes from the road to look at the digits and comprehend what speed you are doing.

  • Valet Dabess

    the lfa’s speedo actually looks good. this one just look old and outdated

  • laurie

    Wouldn’t it be hard to read when the sun hits the dash? I find it hard to even read the gps some days

  • scottjames_12

    The only thing I’d be concerned about is the whole system which drives the LCD. Hopefully no lag in the tacho, for instance. Or system crashes!

    • Ford!

      Shouldn’t be a problem if Windows aren’t involved in the making of it!

      • Robert

        And it definitely can’t be MAC cause you’d want it to connect to the rest of the car and the world

  • http://electric-vehicles-cars-bikes.blogspot.com/ Paul

    FINALLY……… Beats me why it has taken so many years for this to go mainstream with automakers.

    NOW, what are the chances of

    a) Having an open standard?
    b) They can be programmed with PC installable software by Independent workshops instead of the usual dealership only rip where you need a $15,000 TECH2?

  • http://carsnews-new.blogspot.com/ Cars News

    Didn’t look cool the real one is much better but it is BMW after all

  • bretti

    i guess the old analogue dial’s days are numbered

  • Roger Ramjet

    If the past is anything to go by with BMW and lcd displays, this one will have its share of crashing!

  • Don Quay

    Some LCD displays are very hard to read when wearing polarised sunglasses. I’m thinking of GPS and existing centre screens and the LCD windows that some cars have in the speedo for the odometer, gear indicator etc. It would be useless if you can’t read the speedo LCD easily. Has anyone had experience with Jaguars, Merc S class, Land Rovers or other cars with these displays while wearing polarised sun glasses?

    • G

      I have no issues reading the current sat nav screen in my BMW so I don’t think it will be an issue. I’m a bit of a technophile but I still think analogue dials are a more sporty look.

    • Carnie

      I’m pretty sure it just looks slightly yellowish but if you tilt your head left or right the screen goes black.

  • Kane Alto

    We will get this in the year 2035 model Commodore and 2058 year model Falcon. hahahah.

    • Roadtard

      KA, you’re probably right – coz the locals will be focussing on chassis dynamics and other truly valuable CAR stuff.