2016 Paris Motor show: Lexus UX Concept dashboard teased

A WEEK after showing the driver’s seat of the future, Lexus has done it again – this time showing what it wants you to see from the driver’s seat of the future.

The luxury spin-off of Toyota has teased a crystal-embedded dash that it will unveil as part of the Lexus UX, a concept compact SUV that will make its debut at next week’s Paris Motor show. It’s show-stopping feature? A three-dimensional hologram that replaces traditional switches used to control the air-conditioning and infotainment system.

2

“The bold UX Concept design embodies imaginative and forward-thinking technologies to provide occupants with a fully immersive experience,” Lexus says.

“All on-board HMI technology has been designed to offer progressive customers who live and work in an ever-connected environment an innovative, three-dimensional driver experience.”

It says the driver's instrument binnacle will feature “a transparent globe, floating in the manner of a hologram, in which a combination of analog and digital information express a functional yet unexpected user interface”.

“The center console features a prominent, faceted crystal structure within which a hologram-style display of air conditioning and infotainment system is clearly visible to both driver and front passenger.”

Other features to make their way into the concept car include electro-chromatic windows that darken at the press of a button, and cameras instead of side mirrors.

Lexus says the console’s switchgear is electrostatic and housed under transparent covers.

The fin-style design built into the A-pillar is repeated on the dash, but with a twist – it hides a removable sound bar built into the passenger side.

The Paris Motor Show runs from next Friday.