Photo: Cadillac
Some manufacturers have already ditched conventional analog dials altogether, in favor of an LCD screen, which replaces everything, looks more modern and is customizable, for specific needs. We first saw just such a system on the previous generation Range Rover, as well as on some newer Jaguar models, but now, with the XTS, Cadillac has added its name to the (currently quite short) list.
The XTS uses a CUE-based 12.3-inch display, so the layout of the virtual analog dials can be altered, depending on driver needs. Scott Martin, senior creative designer in charge of Cadillac’s dial clusers, said: “We spent time with owners of all kinds of vehicles to learn how they used the radio, navigation, phone settings, and other user connectivity features [. . .] Most drivers fall into one of four different categories in terms of the amount of information they want to see at any given time, so we built the XTS gauge cluster layouts to appeal to any one of those drivers.”
The screen features four distinct modes, each with a specific purpose and style of driving in mind. The ‘Balanced’ display, the default one, is ‘classic’ in every sense of the word, while the ‘Performance’ layout emphasizes the tachometer and speedometer, making both larger and sportier-looking. For the ‘uber-connected’ (Cadillac PR talk) driver, the ‘Enhanced’ layout features a web-inspired design, which includes the sat-nav map, and digital readouts for speed and fuel. Finally, the ’Simple’ cluster does away with most of the eye candy, leaving the driver with a clear view of essential information, such as speed, fuel and audio system information.
However, these clusters are also customizable, and “Drivers can also further customize each layout to their own personal liking [. . .] They can flip through all the information pages to permanently display their favorite preset radio stations, check tire pressure, navigation, fuel range, and temperature among other features,” concluded Scott Martin.
The screen features four distinct modes, each with a specific purpose and style of driving in mind. The ‘Balanced’ display, the default one, is ‘classic’ in every sense of the word, while the ‘Performance’ layout emphasizes the tachometer and speedometer, making both larger and sportier-looking. For the ‘uber-connected’ (Cadillac PR talk) driver, the ‘Enhanced’ layout features a web-inspired design, which includes the sat-nav map, and digital readouts for speed and fuel. Finally, the ’Simple’ cluster does away with most of the eye candy, leaving the driver with a clear view of essential information, such as speed, fuel and audio system information.
However, these clusters are also customizable, and “Drivers can also further customize each layout to their own personal liking [. . .] They can flip through all the information pages to permanently display their favorite preset radio stations, check tire pressure, navigation, fuel range, and temperature among other features,” concluded Scott Martin.
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