The unlit climate control sliders and steering wheel capacitive touch buttons have reportedly been discarded.
Automakers need distinctive interior designs to stand out from competitors but sometimes they just don't sit well with customers. This has been the case for Volkswagen with its choice of capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel and center console, as well as its climate control sliders that don't light up.
The German automaker is addressing these criticisms by updating the cabin of its future models, which will be spearheaded by the next-generation VW Tiguan. Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schafer spoke with Autocar during the pre-production launch of the new compact crossover regarding the issue.
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According to the VW head honcho, the unconventional interior arrangements “definitely did a lot of damage” to the brand. He went on by saying the design team used an Excel spreadsheet “as big as a room” to systematically discuss which control buttons must be replaced or reworked.
The unlit climate control sliders and capacitive touch buttons on the steering have reportedly been removed. A new rotary controller will be available in updated models, which will provide quick access to drive modes and volume settings.
Schafer said the interior layout changes are part of the brand's initiative to make VW cars easier to operate.
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The fixed interior layout should be seen in the all-new Tiguan slated to debut at the 2023 Munich Motor Show in September. Meanwhile, the next-gen Passat and updated Golf are expected to adopt the new arrangements as well.
Also aimed to provide a more seamless cabin experience is VW's next-gen infotainment system coming in 2025. While no concrete details were disclosed, the automaker said that the upcoming technology will host “quite a dramatic change in the infotainment systems we do use in our cars.”
As mentioned in our previous report, we wouldn't rule out a possible partnership with Android Automotive as the OS promises to deliver enhanced apps, games, and navigation, among others.
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Keyword: Volkswagen Promises To Simplify Future Interiors