Everything old is new again. The hottest trend at the 2024 New York Auto Show, at least for some brands, was the return of convertibles.
After the trend of the industry in recent years has been the reliance on digital screens and conventional buttons, dials and slides, Hyundai and its luxury division Genesis announced a return to conventional equipment. Both companies cited security as a key factor, but it comes amid backlash from consumers in recent days.
The move to digital screens was seen as an increase in technology and performance, but it also helped companies save costs – in terms of development, tools and production. Now, though, Hyundai and Genesis have admitted that they went too far.
The facelifted Hyundai Tucson drops the previous center fascia, which houses a large infotainment screen above a row of soft-touch, digital buttons for the climate control system. In its place comes a revised dash layout, with hard-touch dials and buttons for climate control and other useful features, such as the stereo and power.
Luc Donkerwolke, who is the Chief Innovation Officer for Hyundai and Genesis, said the decision to go back to conventional switches will mean more costs for the company, but he believes it is necessary from a safety point of view.
“We always consider that we don’t end up in a state of ignorance that you have to go to a small menu,” Donkerwolke said.
He added: “And it is easy to reduce all costs when you have digital keys (buttons). It’s a small tool investment, you can do whatever you want, it’s just software. The problem is that it is not compatible with the use of the car. We have a clear philosophy, eyes on the road (and) hands on the wheel, and if you do something else like that you’re basically putting your customers’ lives at risk.”
Not that South Korean brands will get rid of digital screens. Instead, Donkerwolke sees the return of physical buttons and dials as an addition to more modern options.
“So the main functions should be, let’s say, doubled with hard keys,” he explained. “Those hard keys can be digital, it means they can be configured, you can have a hard key, but it doesn’t mean that they have the same function… The normal things that you do all the time, like the sound, that you have. to change, some of the the temperature function, some safety features, you need to be able to turn them on without taking your eyes off the road.”
Hyundai and Genesis are far from the only brands taking such action. Volkswagen and Aston Martin have also admitted that the switchgear is better and will feature in the future, while NCAP will begin testing the car’s controls as part of its safety tests.
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