According to some recent studies, the average car driver in India could be spending as much as 600 hours or more every year in his car, of which up to 5 % of the time may be spent sitting in traffic jams. So, yes, while factors like a car’s exterior styling, power, performance, ride and handling, and fuel economy are definitely important, the interiors are no less so. Indeed, according to independent polls conducted by various automotive OEMs, interior design, features, comfort, infotainment, connectivity and low levels of NVH feature high on prospective buyers’ list of priorities when looking for a new car.
Currently, when it comes to car interiors, the elements that seem to really matter for most car buyers are the seat upholstery (leather/leather-like materials being considered ‘premium,’ while cloth upholstery is considered more suitable for hot, humid climatic conditions), seat ergonomics for long-distance driving, feature-rich and easy to use infotainment and navigation systems, powerful HVAC, safety features like airbags, and insulation from outside noise. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and buyers in different car segments may have different preferences. For example, configurable seating (where the seats can be folded away in multiple ways to release more space for luggage, when required) may be more important for someone buying a 7-seater MPV, while someone buying a high-end sedan might be more concerned with the car’s infotainment system. Here, we take a look at some key factors that are driving change and evolution in terms of how new car interiors are being designed and the factors that are likely to drive change in the foreseeable future.
CONNECTIVITY AND UX
Keeping aside the debate on whether or not it’s a good thing (from the safety perspective), car buyers these days want pervasive connectivity – they want to keep using their smartphones and/or other Web-connected gadgets even while on the move. And this need for always-on data connectivity is one of the key factors that will influence cars’ interior design.
この記事は Auto Tech Review の November 2017 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は Auto Tech Review の November 2017 版に掲載されています。
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