Dashboard screens are the primary interface for drivers to view and control vehicle functions, infotainment applications, navigation, and various forms of content. One of the latest and most visually sophisticated examples of this feature is BMW's new Curved Display. This comprehensive and vibrant visual display helps make the cockpit experience more intuitive and engaging.
The BMW Curved Display is a modern feature found in many BMW models, combining the instrument cluster and the infotainment system into one continuous digital viewing hub while also reducing the number of buttons and controls on the dashboard. Spanning nearly two-thirds of the dashboard, the massive display offers 4K resolution for crisp and clear images rivaling a high-definition television or mobile device.
The unit comprises two separate displays, including a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen control display atop the dashboard's center. The information display shows the speedometer, driving range, rpm, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), vehicle diagnostic alerts, and other important driving information. In contrast, the control display provides access to the infotainment system, including navigation, audio, multimedia, phone, and climate controls.
Both screens utilize widgets,a graphical user interface element that displays information or provides a specific way for a user to interact with an operating system or an application.
According to BMW, the curved display creates a more immersive and seamless viewing experience for the driver and passengers. The curvature also helps reduce glare and improves visibility in bright sunlight. From a design perspective, the curved screen fits the clean, modern, and tech-centric interior of BMW vehicles.
BMW's latest iDrive 8 system powers the Curved Display. It provides seamless integration with the car's features and advanced connectivity options. The display also supports wireless widescreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. You can control it using voice commands, steering wheel buttons, or the iDrive controller. Software upgrades for the Curved Display are available via over-the-air (OTA) updates.
The information display, or instrument cluster, behind the steering wheel is not a touchscreen. You control it via steering wheel buttons and a toggle that allows the driver to navigate a well-organized set of menus and options. This display offers three layout types—Drive, Focus, and Gallery—and lets the driver switch between widgets that provide the vehicle's vitals. Here's a rundown of each layout type:
You can select each layout based on the driver's preference and priorities. The Panoramic Vision head-up display (HUD) also shows certain information found in the instrument cluster. With its optimized graphics, the HUD is essentially an extension of the information display, showing vehicle speed, speed limit, turn-by-turn indicators, and ADAS cues, among other items.
The broader of the two screens is the control display. Here, widgets are lined up in an unbroken ribbon to provide a quick, clear, high-resolution overview of relevant information at all times on aspects such as navigation, phone, Wi-Fi, weather, traffic, and media player content. Like the information display, the control display is also highly customizable. You can easily activate widgets via touch control and position and configure them as desired.
The Curved Display debuted in the 2022 BMW iX. The automaker has since added it to other models in its lineup. As of this writing, it is also available in the BMW 3 Series, X1, X7, i4, and 7 Series. The rest of the product line will receive the Curved Display as they undergo mid-cycle refreshes or complete redesigns.
The BMW Curved Display is a modern and innovative feature that enhances the driving experience and provides a more intuitive and immersive interface for the driver and passengers.
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Jessica Shea Choksey is an experienced writer in the automotive field. In addition to JDPower.com, she was a correspondent for PBS's MotorWeek. Her work has also appeared in AutoTrader.
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