A new report published today by Reuters cites an unnamed source in Korea with direct knowledge that LG Display has been selected to be “a sole supplier for the 15-plus inch center display of Model 3.”
The display is just 2 inches smaller than the center screen in Tesla’s flagship Model S sedan and Model X SUV. Although we are talking about LG’s display division, Tesla already has a partnership with the Korean electronic giant through a battery supply agreement with its LG Chem division.
As we pointed out in our summary of the Model 3 event last night, the vehicle Tesla unveiled is a prototype which will likely see a few iterations before entering production late next year – and that’s if everything go according to plan.
When Tesla unveiled the pre-alpha prototype of the Model X, it was also featuring a center display sticking out of the dashboard – though it was positioned vertically instead of horizontally like in the Model 3 prototype.
Here’s a side-by-side of the Model 3 prototype’s and X prototype’s interior:
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- Model 3 prototype interior
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- Model X prototype interior
The Model X interior ended up looking almost identical to the Model S’ with the center screen integrated in the dash – so it’s not impossible that something similar could happen with the Model 3.
Also, Tesla didn’t include any picture of the interior in its promo shots of the vehicle and CEO Elon Musk said that “some important elements will be added and some will evolve.”
[tweet https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/715309739752747009 align=’center’]
I think that the center screen could be an element that will evolve, but I’m not sure how this LG report plays into it.
What do you think of the center screen?
Featured Image: Tesla model 3 prototype’s display from Tesla Model 3 test ride by Bjørn Nyland
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I like the screen orientation and size, but do wish it was recessed a bit into the dash and not sticking up.
I thought the screen did not fit the overall design of the car at all. It literally sticks out in a very dorky way. We can only hope that it gets ’embedded’ for the final version of the car.
The landscape orientation was described in one of the test drive videos as a way to give both the driver and the front row passenger equal access to the screen – and I think that’s an ok way to go. Someone who rarely drives with a passenger on board might find that lackluster.
Were there even any (air/heat) vents in the Model 3’s prototype dashboard? It doesn’t look like it from the picture. If there weren’t it’s a guarantee that’s a prototype dashboard, at least in some form.
As for the center screen, I think it’d be a safety issue (perhaps minor) to have to look essentially at your “radio” (in legacy car terms) every time you want to check your speed.
Vs looking down at your speedo every time. I know right…
Congrats on the sarcasm. I thought it was obvious, but looking a hair below the windshield is shorter eye-travel than looking at the “radio” (center console). Hence the words “minor” safety issue in my response above.
I suspect the dashboard is one of the unfinished elements, and that either a HUD or traditional display will be either standard or an option.
I live in NY – we have distracted driving laws here (not texting/driving) – meaning that if I’m looking down and to the side, the cop is going to pull me over. They do not give a care about if you were text/swiping/looking to change a radio station: They want your eyes front and center on the road. This design means that, for NYS, Tesla 3’s are going to be printing out violations for drivers. No thanks =/
And I was looking forward to this release.
I think its a statement about the future of Autopilot and autonomous driving. If you think about it, the more of the driving responsibility the car itself is handling, the less you will be looking at the instrument cluster. You will be interacting far more frequently with the center display for radio, nav, web, etc., where you will find that the speed and range data will more conveniently located. The designers are rethinking the functionality of the dash in the future and why things are where they are.
I spent a couple of hours driving today. And paid attention to where my eyes went. Judging from the test rides… It will be more like looking at your left air vent. Either way… Being the steering wheel or air vents… Your eyes do the same thing.
You rarely need to know your exact speed. Most often you just want to check whether you’re within the speed limit. And that can be indicated acoustically – e.g. by playing a Trabant engine noise through the speakers when above the speed limit.
Agreed. I think safety concerns may also lead to a more recessed design evolution.
I agree with you, but there are some production cars that have the speedo in the middle of the dash (Mini Cooper, Scion, etc)
I think as Steve Jobs one famously said “you’re not holding it right”
In an autonomous car driving future that’s 3-5 years away you don’t need a dashboard console. You’ll be driving by sitting back and enjoying the ride so looking at the center monitor with or without your passenger actually makes sense.
The future is here apparently.
I love the interior, but I hate the steering wheel.
The depth of a conventional instrument binnacle would force the driver’s seat further back, compromising the second row legroom; they seem to have prioritised second row passenger comfort over other considerations. This and lower costs from the simpler construction are probably the main motivations.
I don’t like it though. Looks lame. Screams “weirdmobile”, something Elon pledged Tesla would not make. The instrument widget is not an adequate replacement for a dedicated instrument panel; too small, no analogue presentation of speed, surroundings too cluttered. No glare protection either – though maybe the window tinting will suffice?
Will NHTSA even approve this? To be honest, I don’t think they should.
I LOVE almost everything else about the car (except the lack of a hatchback), but I think this might be a dealbreaker for me. Really, why change so radically a winning formula on your most important product launch? This isn’t (yet) an autonomous car, why lay it out like one? I don’t get it.
by the time this is mainstream, in 3-4 years, it should / will be an autonomous car in a highly autonomous driving world. Skate to where the puck will be, sound familiar?
It’s already confirmed (by Elon) that Autopilot features are NOT going to be standard on Model 3; the “puck” will NOT be where you suggest at launch. The dashboard will be, though.
It’s too bold, too soon.
Like the rear door, it’s a bad compromise. Unlike the rear door, it’s impossible to ignore.
How would cars ever look differently if they were forced to look the same because someone might think it “weird”?
What is “weird”?
How could this interior decide an entire purchase?
Analogue speed?
I think I understand where you’re coming from. Have you been paying attention to modern cars?
With Tesla you find a lot of people who have never had much interest in cars beginning to enter the space. Often times they are unaware or automotive precedents and think that many of the things Tesla is doing have never been done before.
Case in point: the AC vents.
Anyone who remembers the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury car would know what “happened to” the vents in the Model 3.
I think this interior is great. A HUD is the only thing I would add to this. Other than that the screen is mounted very well: within reach of the driver (minimal stretching) and in his/her line of sight.