Dashboard Critic

Last night was the benefit for the Chicago Auto Show - $175 got you a "sneak preview" of the auto show. Jeff mentioned that they allowed you to get in and play around in more cars than normal - I had hoped to play around in concepts or new ones but there were several cars that we didn't get play around in: the new Corvette, Ford 500, the Aston Martin DB9 (although I did get to touch it, which the general public probably won't get to do.), the Land Rover Range Stormer, the Chrysler ME-412, the Audi LeMans, and most of the other concept cars.

Being a type and design geek, I paid particular attention to dash instrumentation and interior design. Given that is what I spent most of my time looking at, if it is ugly or unfriendly, it can kill my opinion of the car. Case in point: The Lexus SC 430. The outside is beautiful but the interior is bland and the type is downright mediocre. (You can't tell in these photos and I can't find any close ups) Such a weird, unpleasant contrast: the interior has none of the feel that the exterior does.

Some interiors are a true delight though: Surprisingly the top two dash boards were the Volvo s60 Type R and the Audi A8L - the Volvo Dash is clean, crisp, modern and sleek. The Audi gets special props for the MMI screens: it was the ONLY LCD panel system that didn't remind me of Windows 3.11 circa 1993. Check out the new Acura TL sample as an example of an otherwise very nicely designed interior spoiled by a big patch of ugly.

Cadillac was a particular disappointment: the exteriors are so well designed these days. They are sharp, clean, have a unique look. The interiors were hodge podges (one had bamboo wood, chrome, and grey plastic) and they had inconsistent type faces for no reason.

Cars that I thought kicked ass (not just the dash boards):
Dodge Magnum - I have always liked Dodge's designs. The new Durango excepted.
Aston Martin DB9 Just as gorgeous in person as in photos.
Volvo s60 Type R Again, the Sweedes can do it well. Hands down the best seats in the show; well done interiors. 300 hp engine. Yowza.
BMW 6 Series This was easy. It is my dream car. Less impressive than I expected, mostly because it is so expensive. It is right up with the Mercedes SL 500 and I think the Mercedes beats it on most categories.
Ford Mustang and GT. The GT gave me wood. Totally impractical (your ass is literally 5 inches off the pavement), but very very sexy. Mustang is the muscle car re-born. Good for them.

Cars that disappointed:
Ford 500. *shrug* Not interesting and they stole pretty much every aspect of the design from another car. (Tail light: MB E Class. Roof Line: Audi / VW, etc.)
VW Phaeton. 90K. Freakishly long, and the Audi A8 whomps on it.
Lexus GS 2006 - ehh. Better but not as nice as I had seen in the concepts which rocked my world. That concept is gorgeous.
BMW 6 Series. I had such high hopes for it - for it to be the pinacle of both design and power. Of course, with that kind of expectation, it is impossible to meet.

Bonus:
Me in a Tuxedo!