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    Ford’s all-digital instrument cluster starts with the GT

    With a brand new supercar, that looks great and performs great, you need an experience for the driver that is adaptable to the task and driving conditions at hand. Ford are innovating on the instrument cluster with the new Ford GT, featuring five unique drive modes, from Normal, Wet, Sport, Track and V-Max.

    Each of these modes prioritise different things in the dash, something only available with an all-digital display. If you’re in Track mode, the current gear and RPM are the most critical elements and are given larger fonts, more prevalent positions. In other modes, the priorities switch around, like V-Max where the top speed is the largest number displayed.

    • Normal mode displays information in a purposeful, businesslike manner. The theme is simple; the speedometer is centered and bold, gear selection is to the right, fuel and temperature are top left. The hockey-stick-shaped tachometer displays in a compressed scale for lower rpm, as the engine revs so quickly the lower counts mean almost nothing to the driver. The 3,000-to-7,000-rpm range dominates the top of the display
    • Wet mode carries many of the same information concepts over from normal mode, using a blue theme and a “wet floor” concept. Graphics under the speedometer emulate the shine of wet asphalt to remind the driver of the mode selection
    • Sport mode adjusts information priorities. Front and center is gear selection, with the speedometer off to the right and less prominent. It’s displayed in an aggressive orange theme and is the preferred mode for most test drivers
    • Track mode presents a stark combination of black background and highly legible text and graphics, in a crisp, red theme that’s easy for the eye to pick up in a fast-paced environment. Gear selection and engine speed are displayed prominently, while coolant temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature and fuel level – rendered as a percentage rather than miles to empty – are bottom right
    • V-Max offers an entirely different display – purposeful and pared down. Specifically tailored to pursuing maximum top speed, it displays a large, centered speedometer, with tachometer reduced to just a line with indicator dot for minimal distraction. Coolant temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature and turbocharger boost are displayed to the right, with fuel level displayed top left

    After watching the video below, you’ll get back in your car and quickly realise how limiting a static traditional instrument cluster really is. In the video Ford suggests the GT is just the start of the rollout for this strategy, so expect other nameplates to follow suit.

    This also compliments Ford’s focus on global distribution with the digital display easily adaptable to different languages.

    Jason Cartwright
    Jason Cartwrighthttps://techau.com.au/author/jason/
    Creator of techAU, Jason has spent the dozen+ years covering technology in Australia and around the world. Bringing a background in multimedia and passion for technology to the job, Cartwright delivers detailed product reviews, event coverage and industry news on a daily basis. Disclaimer: Tesla Shareholder from 20/01/2021

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