Digital Instrument cluster

Mercedes Benz, Lexus and now Audi has launched cars using LCD displays instead of typical mechanical instrument clusters. This has taken a new dimension to the design and also the information that can be displayed in front of the driver. Lexus was one of the earliest to introduce this in the LF-A but this technology quickly trickled down to the IS model Lexus. the original idea was to replace the analog tachometer because the engine of the LF-A could rev faster than any mechanical tachometer can keep up. the benefits of using the LCD display was very evident as more information could be displayed on the LCD compared to the analog meters.

Mercedes also introduced it in the new W-222 S Class. The entire instrument cluster is also LCD and it gave off the cool exclusive look to the car's interior.

The most impressive of all is the one from Audi which was included in the newly launched Audi TT. the entire instrument cluster can be altered to display the navigation system map and the size of the actual speedometer and tachometer is reduced to make way for the navigation map.

this is the next wave in terms of car design and functionality. I believe many other auto makers will follow suit. It is unlikely that budget cars will see such LCD displays replacing the traditional analog meters but in the next 10 years more cars will be fitted with new LCD displays instead of traditional analog meters. 

The creative use of the LCD display is definitely impressive and it is here to stay.