Porsche Ergonomics
Discussion
Hey here's one for the GT haters... 
But seriously, we have a new 991 and whilst I love the thing, lots, one thing I don't like is the new Panamera centre console. It's just, well, nuts. With a PDK lever and I imagine a normal gearbox, a good portion of the switches are inaccessible without leaning forward. The switches are also really poor quality like off a cheap laptop. Tonight driving home in the dark I was leaning about all over the place fiddling with silly buttons and taking my eye of the road.
Why has Porsche decided not to go for an iDrive/Comand style setup? I think this is a big mistake because this type of setup fits more with the purity of a sportscar and would do away with dozens of these useless buttons that are currently present on the cars. The new multi-function wheel is another example of massive overkill.
I drive an S-Class day to day, and this by comparison is a masterpiece of minimalism. I really think Porsche should have a look at their design ethos and also the quality of some of the switch gear. Particularly poor is the awful indicators and wiper stalks. I mean Ford does it better, so does Fiat, these things for eons have felt cheap and nasty which is really annoying considering how often they are used. For the money that is asked these items should not be debatable. Also, what is the point of the huge centre tunnel and console, all it does it take space away from the driver.
Anyway, these are my quibbles, I think the car is intoxicating to drive and love it, just wonder about these little things that IMO have been a step backwards from the 997.
But seriously, we have a new 991 and whilst I love the thing, lots, one thing I don't like is the new Panamera centre console. It's just, well, nuts. With a PDK lever and I imagine a normal gearbox, a good portion of the switches are inaccessible without leaning forward. The switches are also really poor quality like off a cheap laptop. Tonight driving home in the dark I was leaning about all over the place fiddling with silly buttons and taking my eye of the road.
Why has Porsche decided not to go for an iDrive/Comand style setup? I think this is a big mistake because this type of setup fits more with the purity of a sportscar and would do away with dozens of these useless buttons that are currently present on the cars. The new multi-function wheel is another example of massive overkill.
I drive an S-Class day to day, and this by comparison is a masterpiece of minimalism. I really think Porsche should have a look at their design ethos and also the quality of some of the switch gear. Particularly poor is the awful indicators and wiper stalks. I mean Ford does it better, so does Fiat, these things for eons have felt cheap and nasty which is really annoying considering how often they are used. For the money that is asked these items should not be debatable. Also, what is the point of the huge centre tunnel and console, all it does it take space away from the driver.
Anyway, these are my quibbles, I think the car is intoxicating to drive and love it, just wonder about these little things that IMO have been a step backwards from the 997.
Well a lot of people don't like iDrive I agree (I think Comand is fantastic though). But the advantage of these systems is you don't have to feel for the button, it's a series of clicks you can remember.. I know it's horses for courses like marmite but Porsche really have gone mad with the number of buttons present on the current generation of cars. It wasn't an issue on the older cars too much as there was a whole host less features than we have today. If Porsche don't go "iDrive" in the future I can't see how they'll fit all the functions in!!!
REALIST123 said:
Callughan said:
idrive type systems not easy to use at speed in my experience
is it any easier to lean forward and fiddle with switches?I seem to remember reading that Porsche design philosophy says each function will have its own switch and each switch does just one function.
It should in theory be easier as everything can be accessed with one press, no need to go through menus on a screen.
No good if you can't find the switches though.
It should in theory be easier as everything can be accessed with one press, no need to go through menus on a screen.
No good if you can't find the switches though.
I don't have a problem with the multitude of switches. You just need to develop some muscle memory. But that doesn't make them an elegant solution.
I would like to be able to toggle between normal/sport/sport plus from the paddle steering wheel. It would add something to the experience and surely better than fiddling down by your left elbow.
I would like to be able to toggle between normal/sport/sport plus from the paddle steering wheel. It would add something to the experience and surely better than fiddling down by your left elbow.
I agree with the OP.
IDrive had a Clarkson-led bad name but was easy to use and on my M6 it had a single steering wheel button than you could program for a personally selected sports program - power/gearchange aggressiveness/suspension etc.
Also loved the heads up. Many commands could be given verbally so actual fiddling with the buttons was minimal.
I preferred the simple interior of the 997 though it was less lux,so understand the move by Porsche.
IDrive had a Clarkson-led bad name but was easy to use and on my M6 it had a single steering wheel button than you could program for a personally selected sports program - power/gearchange aggressiveness/suspension etc.
Also loved the heads up. Many commands could be given verbally so actual fiddling with the buttons was minimal.
I preferred the simple interior of the 997 though it was less lux,so understand the move by Porsche.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff