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Gauge clusters

Filed under:  Type-Emblems
 
Comment(s): 10
 
 

Some time ago I had to get a new prescription for my glasses. When I received the new one, I noticed that it had changed so much that I could no longer see the gauge cluster as quickly as I could before. This, in addition to my usual interest in typography and "user interfaces" made me think it would be interesting to round up a few tachs, speedos and gauge clusters and compare how they have changed thru the years.

Here are just a few, in order of manufacturer.


ACURA
acura tl guage cluster 09

2009 Acura TL gauge cluster. (source: Honda)

acura mdx guage cluster 09

2009 Acura MDX gauge cluster. (source: Honda)

acura tl dial1

2005 Acura TL Aspec gauge cluster.

acura nsx targa speedo 04

2004 Acura NSX Targa gauge cluster.

AUDI
audi r8 instrument cluster

Audi R8 instrument cluster.
Judged to be among the finest novelties at the Paris Show, the Audi R8 is spectacular for the sheer simplicity of its lines and the balance of its volumes which reiterates the superiority of the German marque's recent design language in the supersports segment as well. The first mid-engined Audi, the R8 derives from the Le Mans prototype of three years ago "but without betraying that concept", stresses Walter de'Silva, the Audi Group design chief.

Mid-engined cars are generally inspired by motor sports. "This is the first my team and I have ever designed", remarks De'Silva, "so we also had to make a conscious effort to steer clear of these conventions. The performance lies in the engine, the exterior had to express elegance and class".

Mechanicals are an integral part of the design, especially in cars like this. But around the showcased 4.2 litre V8 engine producing 420 bhp (0-100 km/h in 4,6 seconds, top speed 301 km/h), the permanent four-wheel drive, the large 18 rubber-shod wheels that seem to have been lifted directly from a race car and the Audi space frame, there lies an aluminium skin of rare beauty.

As for the interior, form follows function with a linearity and simplicity that go hand in hand with the styling of the externals. "We could not leave out an element of comfort", explains De'Silva, "as we believe that the R8 is a car to be driven every day. Two suitcases can fit in the front luggage compartment, along with a suit-bag and a shoe case. Two more suitcases can fit behind the seats or - to cater for the American market - two golf bags". (source: by Fabio Galvano of Auto).

audi cross cabriolet tach

2007 Audi Cross Cabriolet concept gauge cluster.

audi r8 in det2

2008 Audi R8 tachometer.

audi tt tach

2008 Audi TT Coupe gauge cluster.

audi tts speedo 09

2009 Audi TTS gauge cluster.

ALFA ROMEO
alfa romeo spider speedo 91

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider speedometer.

ASTON MARTIN
vaquish in3

2005 Aston Martin Vanquish S V12 gauge cluster.

BMW
bmw m3 gauge cluster 08

2008 BMW M3 gauge cluster.

BUICK
buick riviera concept spedo 06

2006 Buick Riviera concept speedometer.

buick enclave concept spedo 06

2006 Buick Enclave concept speedometer.

CADILLAC
cadillac xlr dials

2005 Cadillac XLR gauge cluster.

CHEVROLET
chevy corvette spedo 57

1957 Chevrolet Corvette tachometer.

chevy camaro concept spedo 06

2006 Chevrolet Camaro concept gauge cluster.

chevy camaro conv in5

2007 Chevrolet Camaro convertible concept gauge cluster.

chevrolet t2x guages 05

2005 Chevrolet T2X concept gauge cluster.

chevy corvette zr1 speedo

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 gauge cluster.

DODGE
dodge challenger concept spedo 06

2006 Dodge Challenger concept gauge cluster.

dodge challenger srt8 spedo 08

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 gauge cluster.

dodge zeo speedo

2008 Dodge Zeo concept gauge cluster.

FIAT
fiat 600 65

1965 Fiat 600 gauge cluster.

FORD
ford explorer america tach

2008 Ford Explorer America concept gauge cluster.

gt500 in4

2007 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 gauge cluster.

ford flex in1

2009 Ford Flex gauge cluster.

ford focus gauge 08

2008 Ford Focus gauge cluster (Europe).

ford bronco gauge cluster 68

1968 Ford Bronco gauge cluster.

GMC
gmc sierra hybrid crew cab spedo 09

2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid Crew Cab gauge cluster.

HOLDEN
holden ts astra sri hatch spedo 03 1

2003 Holden TS Astra SRI Hatch gauge cluster.

holden vyii  adventra lx8 spedo 03

2003 Holden VYII Adventra LX8 gauge cluster

holden ah astra cdx wagon spedo 05

2005 Holden AH Astra CDX Wagon gauge cluster

holden xc barina sri spedo 06 1

2006 Holden XC Barina SRi gauge cluster.

holden barina tk hatch spedo 06

2006 Holden Barina TK Hatch gauge cluster.

holden epica cdxi 06

2006 Holden Epica CDXi gauge cluster.

holden colorado lt r speedo

2008 Holden Colorado LT-R gauge cluster. (source: GM)

HONDA
honda accord in5

2005 Honda Accord Hybrid gauge cluster.

honda civic h in5

2005 Honda Civic Hybrid speedometer.

honda civic si tach

2006 Honda Civic Si tachometer.

honda fit sport guage cluster 09

2009 Honda Fit Sport gauge cluster. (source: Honda)

honda fcx concept gauge cluster

Honda FCX Concept instrument panel display. (source: Honda)

HUMMER
hummer h2 spedo 03

2003 Hummer H2 gauge cluster.

hummer h3 spedo 06

2006 Hummer H3 gauge cluster.

LEXUS
lexus gs450h tach

2007 Lexus GS 450h gauge cluster.

lexus is350 in4

2007 Lexus IS 350 gauge cluster.

lexus lf a in5

2007 Lexus LF-A concept speedometer.

MAZDA
mazda6 09 348

2009 Mazda 6 gauge cluster.

MERCURY
lincoln mkt concept cluster 08

The Lincoln MKT Concept's instrument cluster was inspired by Swarovski crystals.

NISSAN
nissan intima concept speedo 07

2007 Nissan Intima concept gauge cluster.

OPEL
opel insignia concept spedo 03

2003 Opel Insignia concept gauge cluster.

opel antara gtc spedo 07

2007 Opel Antara GTC gauge cluster.

opel astra gtc hybrid spedo 07

2007 Opel Astra GTC hybrid gauge cluster.

opel flextreme concept spedo 07

2007 Opel Flextreme concept gauge cluster.

opel gtc concept spedo 07

2007 Opel GTC concept gauge cluster.

PEUGEOT
peugeot 203 gauge cluster 57

1957 Peugeot 203 gauge cluster. (source: Peugeot)

peugeot 402 speedo 38

1938 Peugeot 402 gauge cluster. (source: Peugeot)

PONTIAC
pontiac solstice gxp in2

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP gauge cluster.

pontaic wave5 spedo 09

2009 Pontaic Wave 5 gauge cluster.

PORSCHE
porsche 997 dials

2005 Porsche 911/997 Carrera gauge cluster.

porsche 911 997 turbo speedo

2008 Porsche 911/997 Turbo gauge cluster.

porsche 911 997 turbo clock

2008 Porsche 911/997 Turbo Sport Chrono.

911 targa speedo 07

2007 Porsche 911/997 Targa gauge cluster.

911 targa clock

2007 Porsche 911/997 Targa Sport Chrono.

porsche carrera mirage gt speedo 07

2007 Porsche Carrera Mirage GT gauge cluster.

porsche designedition1 caymans tach

2008 Porsche Design Edition1 Cayman S gauge cluster.

instrument cluster

2006 Porsche Cayman S gauge cluster.

chrono

2006 Porsche Cayman S Sport Chrono.

porsche boxster speedo 08

2008 Porsche Boxster S gauge cluster.

porsche 911 993 carrera s coupe in speedo 97 sm
RENAULT
renault nepta concept gauge cluster 08

2008 Renault Nepta concept gauge cluster.

SAAB
saab 9 7x spedo 06

2006 Saab 9-7X gauge cluster.

SALEEN
saleen s7 in2

2005 Saleen S7 speedometer.

SATURN
saturn sky redline tach1

2007 Saturn Sky Redline gauge cluster.

saturn aura green line hybrid spedo 08

2008 Saturn Aura Green line hybrid gage cluster.

SUBARU
subaru impreza wrx sti speedo 08

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI gauge cluster.

TEMPO
173 7329

951 Tempo Matador gauge cluster.

TOYOTA
toyota abat tach

2008 Toyota A-BAT hybrid concept.

VAUXHALL
vauxhall tigra spedo 05

2005 Vauxhall Tigra gauge cluster.

vauxhall astra vxr spedo 08

2008 Vauxhall Astra VXR gauge cluster.

vauxhall meriva vxr spedo 08

2008 Vauxhall Meriva VXR gauge cluster.

VOLKSWAGEN
vw ecoracer in6

2005 Volkswagen EcoRacer concept gauge cluster.

volkswagen notchback gauge ckuster 64

1964 Volkswagen Notchback gauge cluster.

VOLVO
volvo s40 dials

2005 Volvo S40 gauge cluster.

 
 
COMMENTS
Pabodie104 days ago

The Honda FCX Clarity's Energy Gauge is gorgeous and great information design:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/573/Honda_FCX_Clarity_-_FCD.jpg

and, in situ (use the little slideshow widget to sidescroll to the dashbd photo):

http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/coverage/los_angeles/112_2007_los_angeles_auto_show_part_1/photo_45.html

Andrew Shebanow103 days ago

What, no BMW iDrive shots? :-)

thrax101 days ago

Thanks so much, great collection.

vectorbug62 days ago

I am a big fan of VW's gauges. Ever since the MK4 generation I've always been really attracted to the lighting design.

Paul T62 days ago

I'm not sold on the idea comming to us fast a furious that the RPM gauge is the centre of attention on these clusters. We all know that when we drive over the speed limit we constantly and, with a clear mind look at the speedometer more often. These new gauge clusters will mislead that and lead to speeding more than ever. Something to think about..

matt d60 days ago

The 2007 Porsche Carrera Mirage GT gauge cluster is ugly and hard to read. I like the 2003 Opel Insignia concept gauge cluster - booster rockets set to maximum!!

Wesley Pipes60 days ago

Really it is a nice collection.....

João de Góis Silva19 days ago

If you'd like, I can send you some of my collection... Just ask!

CT19 days ago

Joćo,
please send them, and thanks very much.

shywaz8 days ago

does anybody know what's font is in saleen s7 dash? those square numbers...

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