Latest Cars News Blog: CES 2009: Visteon shows off dashboard of the future

CES 2009: Visteon shows off dashboard of the future

Filed under: Gadgets, CES

Click above for high-res image gallery of Visteon's CES 2009 display

Visteon, a major supplier of automotive instrument panels, has a vision for future car interiors that will soon give you a different view of your dashboard.

One of the most interesting ideas Visteon has developed is a user-customizable gauge cluster that they say will be available soon from a major manufacturer. Like traditional gauges, Visteon's Reconfigurable Cluster displays speed and RPMs using classic needles and numbers. Untraditionally, though, the new design simulates those gauges with LCD displays that can be modified to present the information in almost any way imaginable. End customers could potentially even upload their own designs, skins, etc. to make their instrument panels their own unique design.

The clear plastic hood surrounding the cluster isn't merely decorative. As you can see in the photo above, when a door is ajar, the hood glows red. When high-beams are on, it turns a subtle blue. Turn signal indicators light up the entire left or right side yellow. It's a simple and elegant feature.

Click through the jump to read more about Visteon's instrument technologies and click here for a high-res gallery from the company's booth at CES.

Gallery: CES 2009: Visteon's reconfigurable gauge cluster