Ford 2024 Lincoln Nautilus gets windshield-wide 'dashboard' that's like nothing you’ve ever seen
Ford is about to change what drivers will see when they get behind the wheel of some of its vehicles.
A new electronic system and instrument panel — in one vehicle it will stretch the width of the windshield — is aimed at reinventing how drivers get information. It will include the speedometer and other critical gauges, navigation and apps like Spotify, streaming video and auto-racing games.
There also will be a traditional touch screen. It's just mounted lower in the dash, between the front seats.
Ford engineers developed the new electronic system and instrument panel. It debuts early this year in the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus luxury SUV.
Among other priorities to win customer acceptance, the new displays will play nicely with Apple CarPlay, contrary to the direction General Motors chose for its upcoming electric vehicles.
The system will be called the Ford or Lincoln Digital Experience, depending on the brand of the vehicle it is in.
"The new Digital Experience represents a massive step forward in Ford's ongoing software developments and promises significant improvements over its current Sync systems," Autopacific analyst Paul Waatti said. "It's much faster, intuitive, more customizable, and presents the most critical information to drivers in their line of sight in an easily digestible manner."
Here are some of the highlights of the new system:
Instrument panel, yes, but TV screens, too
The 2024 Nautilus will feature a 48-inch-wide screen that runs the full width of the windshield. It will be at the base of the windshield, farther from the driver and several inches lower than traditional speedometers and other instruments. That’s intended to make it easier for the driver to shift focus from the road ahead to the display with a glance. The display will have 4K resolution, matching high-end TV screens.
The screen in the Nautilus measures 4.3 inches from top to bottom. That sounds small, but when shown the screen in a recent demonstration, it appeared to be big enough to make speed, navigation and other information easily visible to the driver.
Other vehicles will have screens of different sizes. Only Lincolns will offer the full-width, or panoramic display, at least initially.
Three kinds of information
From left to right across the car, Ford divides the display into three types of information: Critical, Supportive and Glanceable.
The most important information — speed, for instance — is directly in front of the driver. Slightly less urgent features, like the navigation screen’s map, are to the right, but still on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The passenger side has three windows to display information like weather, the trip computer and entertainment. Drivers can customize what shows in those windows, and the long list of available apps in the touch screen.
Programmable from the steering wheel
Each side of the steering wheel has a four-way rocker switch with four dimples to activate different functions. The switches are programmable for whatever function the driver wants immediately available. Audio volume, tuning, and mode are likely to be a top choice.
As soon as the driver touches one of the switches, an icon showing its features appears in the display in front of the driver.
Connected personalization
The vehicle will remember each driver’s preferences for displays, temperature, seat and mirror settings, audio and other apps, and more. It will also have access to driver’s Google profiles. Owners with iPhones will be able to access their apps, contacts and music through CarPlay. Because Ford uses Google’s system, Android owners also will get all the features they’re used to.
The system will receive over-the-air software updates and has access to Google’s library of apps.
The system also can stream video or video games — including a Ford-exclusive version of "Asphalt Nitro 2" — when the vehicle is parked.
The system is compatible with Bluetooth devices, including keyboards for web surfing.
“Being able to sign into Google and have all your information available is a big convenience,” Waatti said.
Spoken commands for nearly everything
Ford wants drivers to use spoken commands for nearly everything. Google’s voice assistant is built in. It’s intended to be the control for climate and other vehicle functions, in addition to setting navigation destinations and playing audio. The driver can choose to use Amazon’s Alexa assistant or Apple’s Siri, too.
The touch screen will have icons to adjust temperature, fan, track/tuning, and so on, but Ford is determinedly trying to get drivers to use spoken commands instead.
More: What’s next for auto shows? Rescheduled 2025 Detroit show may point the way.
Built to work with Apple CarPlay
While General Motors uses its new Google-based infotainment system to lock out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s research showed that half its customers use the smart phone interfaces regularly and expect them in a new vehicle. That’s why the Ford and Lincoln system works with both, in addition to adding features the automaker said it believes customers will appreciate.
Different panel sizes and features for different models
Not every vehicle will get the full-width display. It’s expensive, which is why Ford is introducing it on Lincoln’s new SUV. The new Ford Explorer coming later this year will use the new electronic architecture, but with a display and features better suited to that brand and price range. Expect to see variations of the system on every entirely new vehicle the brands introduce, but not necessarily available on the vehicles with smaller updates coming.
The 48-inch panoramic display is standard on the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus.
Will the panoramic display change the game?
It’ll be months before we know whether Ford has really come up with a better way to manage common features and tasks. I’ll test the 2024 Nautilus at the vehicle’s introduction in March, but it takes longer than a day to learn whether new features like this actually constitute an improvement. It requires time to take advantage of the personalization being offered, and more time to figure out if complaints are issues with how the system works, or just the natural learning curve, like your first few days with a new smart phone or television.
I expect to know when I drive a Nautilus for a week or so, though I expect my first couple of days, and those of many owners, will include some frustration.
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ford's 2024 Lincoln Nautilus to debut new windshield-wide 'dashboard'
