The innovative, analog-dial-replacing Virtual Cockpit in Audi’s TT-S sports car and new R8 has earned itself a place on the coveted Wards Auto best interior list for 2016. Alongside plush BMW limousines and a sleek Mercedes Benz, Audi’s high-tech driver’s display points to a future where driver and passenger alike get their information from huge high-res in-car screens.
The Virtual Cockpit in the new Audi TT is an example of the car world’s current trend of bringing as much information in front of the driver as possible, with a live feed of speed and engine RPM joined by a customisable central display for media, maps or other info. Interestingly, the TT doesn’t have another central screen for the passenger to use, while the less-sporty Q7 and A4, which also use the Virtual Cockpit display, do.
Also highly placed was Volvo’s XC90, with a beautiful Nappa leather and woodgrain interior dominated by a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and portrait-orientation touchscreen in-car entertertainment system. The majority of the list in 2016 was dominated by luxury brands with the BMW 7 Series, Lexus RX and Mercedes Benz GLC all scoring high marks.
Other winners in the Ward’s 10 Best list were the US-only Cadillac XT5 and Chrysler Pacifica, while the lower end of the car-buying market should be happy with the relative luxury and refinement of the Honda Civic and Nissan Maxima. The only sports car in the list other than the Audi TT, interestingly, is the Chevrolet Camaro, a car that copped flak last year for an interior that looked very similar to a Holden Commodore’s. [Wards Auto]