When I went to autonews.com this morning for my daily auto news check-in, this greeted me in an article about Peter Schreyer, who has steadily been turning Hyundai-Kia into a design powerhouse. It’s the IP of the “blue Genesis” concept just unveiled at the NYC auto show. And what did it instantly remind me of?
Free-floating nacelle on top of the dash, lot’s of pointy ends, and of course the square steering wheel: the 1960 Plymouth dash and wheel. And I rather like the basic premise with this approach. Frankly, I’ve wondered for years now why automakers don’t just mount a single generic screen (or two) on top of the dash, and allow users to customize the instruments as they see fit? If we can customize our computer and phone/pad screens, why not the same with cars? And just have a single cable with a connector, so if the screen ever craps out, or the user wants to update it, it’s easy. The whole concept of “instruments” seems pretty obsolete to me.
Here’s another shot of the interior. In this case a very proprietary LG 21″ curved screen dominates.
And let’s take a look at the actual car too. Schreyer is taking on the big boys with his effort to put Genesis at the top of the luxury car pile, and not trying to leapfrog the Japanese luxury brands in the process.
I’ve been a fan of his ever since his original 1998 Audi TT. And he’s done wonders for his employers, the Chung family, who were very smart to hire him ten years ago. And they’ve rewarded him, making him the first non-Korean group president (there are 13 at H-K). From the AN article:
Schreyer said he feels an emotional, not just professional, attachment to the Chung family — but there’s no doubt who’s the boss, nor should there be, given how the elder Chung built Hyundai into a global powerhouse.
“Korea, of course, has a very hierarchical attitude and you have to adjust,’’ Schreyer said in an interview on Wednesday. “But I was used to this with Mr. Piech, also.’’
True that.
It was a stupid look in 1960 and it’s a stupid look now. There, I said it.
Actually, I find the 1960’s design an attempt at fun and futurism, playful even. The Genesis design comes across fluid, yes, but extremely cold, and confusing. The driver would need to take a lessen on how to work the controls. It seems as if the dashbords of passenger cars are transforming into airplanes!
I agree. I really enjoy the optimistic futurism of 1960’s auto design. It’s fun in a way few cars are these days.
The Hyundai looks like one might work the controls much like a Theremin.
The theremin analogy, priceless.
I love it.
What are those bluish pods on each side of the steering wheel? Buttons?
It sure looks alot better than the recently launched new Lincoln. And rwd too. If only gm and ford could build something like this. But no. They are busy copying 90’s Daihatsus and osuzus, and other lesser brands. Perhaps Gm more than Ford.
Those blueish pods are time-machine air ducting.
Not only the ’60 Plymouth, but the ’61 Dodge, too. Fabulous space agey dashes.
The 1960 Chrysler dash was more conservative overall, but…clear steering wheel and electroluminescent instruments in 3D landscape under a clear dome!
And the 1961 Imperial was pretty awesome as well.
My two favorite dashboards!!!
Yikes-the Hyundai “Blue Genesis” dash design reminds me of something you would
see in science fiction comic books from the 1950’s with the pilot of the rocket looking out into space while standing in front of all sorts of dials, switches and levers of all sorts.
It’s definitely different but that doesn’t mean it’s good. They always looked rather stupid to me and the concept hasn’t improved with age.
I must admit, I like the exterior, that dash though…
I’m sorry but this whole LCD gauge fad sucks, it looks corny cheap and ugly. And it is. Love the LG logo on the screen too, the same LG whose cheap ass TVs I bought need to be thrown out every two tears like clockwork? Really looking forward to the lines of death going across the faux speedometer. But yes, luckily the caveat to the abhorrent freestanding displays automakers find totally hip as of late should make inevitable throw away and replacement more feasible. We as consumers are so used to planned obsolescence of such devices that we actually are groomed into expecting their easy/care free replacement, even if totally unnecessary other than familiarity bred contempt.
+1
Accurate assessment, Matt. +1.
Its just huge example of driver distraction, a truly half witted idea that hopefully never sees production.
Looks like a jumbled up mess. Heres an idea: How about putting all your effort into cars that look badass and are fun to drive? Then no one will care about the techno-trash inside.
Integrated floating dash.
And this (not a concept).
Citroen Cactus. Nice, but I’ve read reports of the touchscreen being difficult to use when driving.
Positively Sonoramic.
my eyes!!
I like it, inside and out. It sure as hell is not a typical me too design
And in copper, no less.
Agreed on the screens. We are past the days of of those awful 1980s or 90s screens. Look what they can do on every cell phone now. A couple of cell screens could provide you with full instrumentation, just set which ones you want and go. Can I pick an ammeter?
There ya’ go! Much easier on the eyes than the red Plymouth and Dodge posted higher up. 🙂
would a volt meter do?
Gen-1 Mini dash:
Cyclops speedometer & magic wand shifter.
Not to mention, cord-pull door latches; sliding windows; floor-mounted start button & bus-sized steering wheel. No one did it better than Alec Issoginis.
Look at the door on the Mini. It is essentially one layer of sheet metal with a pocket on the bottom. In my youth I had three of these early Minis. All were great fun and I wish that I had one now. Living in a small town in Mexico, a mini would be a good car for the tight streets in this almost 500 year old town.
I like the strip screen, not so much the disco lights in the interior. Exterior is fantastic, but generic. So this is the guy who did the TT; that was a significant shape.
Clearly perception is unique to every individual.
The “unique” shape, og the TT to my eyes, seems cribbed from Porsche, just presented in a lamer fwd package.
The first time I saw the original Audi TT, it immediately reminded me of the 1928 Hanomag Kommissbrot.
https://www.google.com/search?q=1928+Hanomag+Kommisbrot&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj83ePzwdrLAhVLmR4KHb71ASYQsAQIJQ&biw=1333&bih=617#tbm=isch&q=1928+Hanomag+Kommissbrot
Appreciate what both of you are saying, but I really rate the sedans and wagons that emanated from the TT’s aesthetic.
The flat-shaped wheel and the pods reminded me of the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. Its instruments and controls were thought to be a bit radical at the time but appear staid today by comparison.
I rented and drove my first Hyundai product this week for a business trip. Although it was only a base Elantra, I was impressed with the overall quality and content for value. I’m betting that the products of the new separate Genesis division are going to be very competitive over time.
The pods remind me a lot of the 59 Edsel dash. All of this electrogizmo mess must be fun to look at in bright sunlight with sunglasses on. I’m at the age that I’m looking through bi-focals and if I can’t look at the right button throughout right lens quick, I just have to give up in an effort to stay on the road. As we age it takes longer to focus on little knobs. Simplicity should rule when it comes to dash design. The best dash designs should be easily memorized so that you can operate things by feel while keeping your eyes on the road.
Korea hierarchical? Just look at the various forms of address in Hangul:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_honorifics
But the big question in my mind is why the Anglo-Saxons chose to blow off the formal mode common on the Continent. Barbarians!
Here’s the mechanized equivalent >>>
the inside no.
but the outside…why didn’t Lincoln do this? 🙁
In the mid 50’s to mid 60’s era there were, besides ones posted here, other cool space age interiors. All together a great period for Buck Rogers futurism in American cars.
1965 Thunderbird
Or 1956-57 Lincoln
Nice to see someone daring to go overboard. It does look like something from Chrysler circa 1960.
Just get rid of that obnoxious car length console. Why not just put up a wall ?
Interesting, but ugly. Doesn’t have the endearing kitschyness of the old Mopars, though I do see some similarities.
For a luxury car, I’d much rather have analog dial instruments made out our quality materials, an analog clock of likewise high quality, a generous amount of trim wood, especially on the top half of the wheel, very cushy seats with a high quality velour option. Other than that, if it can sync with my phone and play music off my phone, I really don’t want anything else in it.
Make it look and feel cushy and palatial, that’s all I want.
How innovative, an automotive IP that looks like the display panel to a washing machine. [blech]
1960 wasn’t entirely smoke & mirrors.
Try the original 1959 Mini’s “cyclops” dash….
Along with bus-size steering wheel, floor-mounted starter button & magic-wand shifter.