I'm as much into early Camaro cues as the next guy, but I think I have a problem with the console gauges. They're not very user friendly and kind of gimmicky...something instruments should not be.

Also, for those of us who are over 40, having to focus and re-focus at two different working distances in quick succession, in order to scan all the gauges (maybe at high speed), will be time consuming, annoying and perhaps dangerous.

 

Or, it's look like a 1974 to 1981 Camaro upside down Headlights.

 

I think they look like 68 Chevelle headlights! I like Scott's idea of packaging them in the HUD, and keeping them in the console too, with a better face on the guages all around color coordinated like the GTO, or keep the faces silver or white with colored backround lighting.

 

Isn't that space for the gauges better suited for cupholders or storage space for and iPod? I don't really like the position of the "cupholder that's big enough to hold a slurpee." It really makes it hard to shift.

Also I think it would be best to move the inner door handle higher up where it is more intuitive to find. At the same time it would free up room for map pockets on the lower door trim panel.

While they are at it, I also think it would be better if the vents were moved up to where the orange design flows in. Put the radio/nav where the vents are now. If they don't want to mess with the way the orange design flows in, at least make a "glove-box" like storage compartment between those console gauges and HVAC controls for you to put a cell phone and ipod so when you open up that "glove box" you find the jack and cig/charger right there. Maybe design in a holder for the iPod where you can buy adapters for the differing sizes/type of player you have. That way you don't need to unplug and hide them.

 

So....you're saying you'll add a HUD to make up for the worthlessness(is that a word?) of the console gauges? Sounds like a gimmick to me too. You might as well give it vinyl seats and woodgrain. The HUD idea is starting to grow on me though.

Not, trying to step on anyone's toes. Just throwing out my thoughts.

 

That interior needs to get reworked from A-Z, its all wrong. Need to go with something up to date (NOT RETRO) with some stainless steel/ brushed aluminum accents.

Take some cues from the current GTO. Very nicely laid out, efficient and driver friendly dash.

 

what about these?






Edited to say: I thought it looked like the 70 headlights but now that I see the comparison it is 57 headlights.

 

also looks like there are other 57 dash lines. The way it comes out at the bottom then rolls back in. Also the vent in the nomad looks similar to the one they used. It hasnt grown on me yet... maybe its just me...

 

All I know about the gauges is that with the deep pods they are housed in, my wife won't be able to see the speedo and yell at me to "slow down" from the passenger seat

 

The console guages are a useless gimmick. I love guages, the first mod i did to the GTO was order an arrowhead pod and aeroforce scan guages so i could have real temperature, oil pressure and system voltage as well as all the other stuff they show.

Despite my obsession with full instrumentation, if i were to buy a 5th gen, i would NOT order those and would do something custom/aftermarket instead. This isn't the 60s, people expect dash/guage layout to be ergonomic and intuitive. If console guages were packaged with HUD, and that meant elimination of a cubby hole for my sunglasses, i STILL wouldn't order it because that's a stupid arrangement.

Even moreso than their total lack of convenience, using valuable storage space on the console for something so gimmicky is also a bad idea. People Like having a place to stash their cell phones, ipods, and other gadgets, not to mention sunglasses and spare change. Notice that counting the number and quality of cupholder and such has entered the mainstream car review process. While that might seem lame to us car guys, i'm pretty sure the rags include the info because little stuff like that matters to a lot of people.

 

The gauges oddly remind me of this little guy from the Disney movie The Black Hole

 

I still think that the console gages are a cool addition, so long as they are available as an option to those who want them. I am in agreement that a HUD would be spectacular-- those of you who complain of them as gimmicky are a surprise to me, as the HUD in my C5 was far-and-away one of my favorite features of the car. Seriously.
It's all on the execution-- the HUD's in some older Pontiacs look cheezy-- dorky fonts, cumbersome, and unclear... but the C5's had a LOT more class, and a more refined look.

A heads-up display should communicate no more than the driver needs or wants-- clearly, unobtrusively, and effectively. I don't want a video game of tachometers and flashy crap interfering with my vision of the road, pedestrians, and anything else that I need to see to stay safe-- but it's an excellent advantage to only have to shift your focus 20% with your head still looking out the front window, as opposed to looking completely away from the road, losing all periferal vision and focus. Simple indicators can notify you about any important situation-- low gas, tire pressure, oil, temp, etc... but won't be in your face full time like the standard-issue cluster requires them to be.
I'm sick of having to look at 16 different needles--and especially the requisite lighting that is required to make them visible at night-- when it's only my speed that's really needed.

Being able to do this, while also significantly cleaning up and sexifying the primary gage cluster by removing all the warts (and excess light) of secondary information like oil pressure, gas, fuel, etc... to a place that looks cool as hell, (not only to this mad enthusiast, but his 50+ mother, his friends who've seen it, and many other people,) stays the hell out of the way of the vitals (speedo and tach,) and allows a really unique styling cue linking it to something special to its heritage.

Somebody tell me how this option wouldn't be a spectacular win-win for those who used it.

You guys who don't want it-- groovy-- don't get it. I understand and respect your arguments.

Me? I'll take the (IMHO) superior, and advanced(!) option of a hi-tech HUD w/"throwback" secondary cluster in the console.

Win-Win.

GM-- do it!

Cheers

 

Believe me, I have no problem with HUD...in fact it probably would be a cool feature, especially since the competition doesn't offer it...but the idea of HUD resulting from the uselessness of the console gauges just seems so counterproductive. Everything on the car should be functional; making people opt for HUD so that we can have some throwback guage pods that no one can read is totally illogical.

 

More traditional or just less retro? Black on white? White on black? Any examples you could point us too would be greatly apreciated.
BTW, I'm all for the console and dont care either way about HUD. Just my $.02.

 

that's my pont. The worst sin of all would be if you HAD to have the stupid console guages just to get the HUD. That would be so assinine, it might make me decide against the car.

Sorry fellas, but i'm not buying this "they look cool" nonsense. Guages serve an important purpose, and they should be located in a place that allows them to serve that purpose as effectively as possible. The centrally located guage clusters in 2/3/4 gens were not distracting, why should it be now? Even if it did distract you, that probably means one is moving more than it should, which is kinda the ENTIRE POINT of having them.

- Oil pressure is NOT a secondary guage in my book, when i'm swinging to redline on my tach, it's nice to have OP right there alongside it so i know my relief valve didn't stick or that i'm sucking air from my sump.

-Same thing for voltage, it's the primary indicator that you just threw or tore your accessory drive belt, which does actually happen from time to time, my old 85 used to do it whenever it felt like it, and if i didn't see the voltmeter drop, i'd be into meltdown on the temperature guage before i know to shut down, which btw, if water temp is also out of your line of sight you're now SOL.


And let's also not forget that where else are people gong to stick their cell phones, ipods and sunglasses? When car reviews include details on cubby holes and cupholders, you should get the clue that little dumb stuff like that actually matters to john and jane q public when they shop for cars.

edited to clean up *'s