How Porsche have updated a timeless 911 layout
The Porsche 992 is the next evolution of the 911 which saw an update to the drivers dash display, removing 4 of the analogue dials replacing them with 2 digital panels.
While doing this they decided to keep the analogue central rev counter as a focal point and I have to be honest I do enjoy it as part of driving experience. The information on the central dial also includes the gear position and a digital speed. This digital speed is very easy to watch and makes it much easier to maintain speed in slow speed limit areas.
Where the new design falls down
Sticking with the 5 dial design which has always been a 911 feature has meant that the small outer dials for the time and fuel are hidden behind the wheel. You can't see them as a glance down without moving your head and it is a very unnatural thing to do. You have to go out of your way to look and while driving it is annoying at the best of times.
While the right hand side allows for plenty of custom adjustments and function while using the wheel scroll button, the left hand side does not. They have stuck with a digital speedometer which goes up in fixed points of 25 (mph in the UK). The smaller needle points are hard to read at a glance and with the digital speed in the rev counter you may as well ignore it altogether. There is the ability to put the arrow and turn distance in that dial when using the sat nav which is useful but it shows within the speed dial rather than replacing it.
The 2 outer dials you can't see are not interchangeable in any way with the fuel being fixed and the time being changeable to a clock face or compass. When you can't really see it this function is fun at best but really has no positive impact on the display.
Where I think Porsche need to review their thinking
In general I think either Porsche needed to give you the ability to arrange all the dials or the ability to change all their functions. But when you see the Audi range and the current supercars switching to a completely digital dash which is fully viewable inside the wheel, it makes the Porsche display on the 992 look flawed.
While sticking with the 5 dial design that has features on the 911 for many years they have shown up the problem with upgraded technology, you don't need all dials on view at the same time. What they have done is leave the visual to carry on the format but not move forward to allow the user to change it. Other models like the Taycan have a fresh design sheet to work with and an identity to create using the current technology. The 992 is stuck somewhere between.
It is a shame when you see the detail and thought put into the rest of the car as the drivers display is meant to be viewable at a glance. This is all software driven though to giving the driver the options to change it are only a code change away?
If you would like to watch my video covering the points you can find that here https://youtu.be/HRedCXtspDg
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