Welcome to the digital world
Cockpit is the centre of focus. A new dashboard and cockpit layout is making its way into Volkwagen compact models via the sixth generation Polo. Interior designers have made revolutionary changes instead of evolutionary ones. Their focus was on the dramatic growth in the digitalisation of displays and controls and on connectivity, and this called for new solutions. Another declared goal was to express a lot of character in the interior and thereby give the Polo an ‘inner face' as well.
Starting with a blank slate. The interior team started with a blank slate, departing entirely from the vertically-oriented dashboard layout of the previous model and developing instead a bold horizontal architecture. This architecture is primarily defined by the modules that are used on the dashboard. In the Polo, designers took the 'form follows function' motto very seriously, because a new digitalised world was being kicked off for the A0 segment here. The interaction between the new Active Info Display and the infotainment systems, in particular, made it necessary to take new approaches. The new dashboard architecture began with the goal of locating the infotainment system much higher than before so that it would be in the driver's direct line of sight. Because the display should visually merge with the instruments, it was also clear that the middle air vents had to migrate downward. All of this was done, and it has now resulted in a dashboard architecture that is refreshingly contemporary and charismatic – introducing an exciting new era of digitalisation and connectivity.
One visual and control axis, up high. All key modules – except for the air conditioning unit – have been integrated on the upper cross-panel of the dashboard. This cross-panel is continued up to the front doors and is trimmed with various colours, depending on selected options. The outer air vents are integrated on the far left and right. Located in the middle of the high-gloss black 'island' is the screen of the infotainment system. The only additional button in this area is the button for the hazard warning lights. To the left, the high-gloss black user control island merges into the level of the instruments. This creates a coherent digital cockpit landscape, especially in conjunction with the Active Info Display. Arranged on the next lower level are the air conditioning functions in the middle, and the lighting functions on the driver's side. The horizontal dashboard is slightly angled towards the driver in the middle. This is also true of the centre console with the gear shift grip and the buttons for the various car handling functions.