New Saturn Ion's Speedometer above the radio is safer?

[Lotheron]

Apparently, they are according to the local commericals running on it. Jack Hanna, the guy from the Columbus Ohio Zoo that goes on Dave Letterman and has a show on the animal planet does the commercials here in Columbus, and he talks about the speedometer that is over the radio making more sense and also safer. I wanna know how, cause I would think glancing down into the dash between the steering wheel would be alot safer than glancing to the radio.

I dunno.

 

[drum]

I had to read that twice to figure out what the hell you said. Are you saying that your speed is displayed on the radio? If thats what you're saying, i guess i don't see how that would be safer... i don't know much about it though so...

 

[slag]

hmm, unless your radio is impregnated into your windshield, i doubt its safer

On a side note, my Pontiac GTP has a very nice Heads Up Display (HUD) that is awesome. I hate driving our explorer any more since it lacks this feature.

 

[Lotheron]

Its in the middle of the dash. Above the radio.

 

[radioouman]

I think that's a load of crap. I've driven an ION and I hate looking toward the center of the car to find what speed I'm driving. I don't think that it's safer at all.

 

[Lotheron]

Originally posted by: slag
hmm, unless your radio is impregnated into your windshield, i doubt its safer

On a side note, my Pontiac GTP has a very nice Heads Up Display (HUD) that is awesome. I hate driving our explorer any more since it lacks this feature.

Does that show up on your windhield, is it digital?

 

[drum]

so is there anything where your normal speedometer would be?

 

[compudog]

Well that settles it. I'm not even going to look at them now. I was until I read this thread. Need a new car and it won't be this model.

 

[psy44]

It seems to me that it is a sad attempt for Saturn to try and enter the import car styles...I've seen spedometers in the middle of cars on many civics and other ricers.

 

[Lotheron]

Originally posted by: psy44
It seems to me that it is a sad attempt for Saturn to try and enter the import car styles...I've seen spedometers in the middle of cars on many civics and other ricers.

So the people that owned those cars thought it was better in the middle? I don't see how they could adjust to it.

 

[Babbles]

I can not live without my HUD in my GP.

To answer somebody's question, it is much like what aircraft use as a HUD, it is a digital reflection of your speed, radion stations, CD tracks, blinkers, etc. that kinda just floats in front of your windshield.

The new model of GP (and Bonny I assume) are going to have some customizable display features.

 

[Gunbuster]

Who cares if its safer, it makes the interior look stupid

 

[N8Magic]

Pic of Saturn ION interior.

 

[flot]

Wow, that is totally stupid. Does Saturn export their cars to other countries?

Because it certainly looks like it would be easier/cheaper for them to produce right OR left hand drive cars with a layout like that.

 

[AndrewNF]

Originally posted by: N8Magic
Pic of Saturn ION interior.

Reminds me of the 2002 Toyota Echo interior

 

[drum]

I just don't see how that is safer... although most people fear change, it is easy to criticise it.

 

[Maharaja]

I read about this a few weeks ago in Crain's Automotive News. The GM people interviewed didn't say anything about safety. They put it there partly for styling (something new to get people excited about Saturn's again) and also because there is this new trend now of getting passengers more involved in the driving. The speedometer is in the center so everyone in the car can see it and know how fast they're going. Yes, it seemed stupid to me when I read it.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I would really really hate such a horrible thing.

 

[Freejack2]

I suspect once a person gets used to it, it's 6 and 1/2 dozen of another. With it in front of the steering wheel like mine (and most over vehicles) I have to look down and take my eyes off the road to view it. With the Ion's, Echo, and I think some BMW the console is higher up but to the right. I think that basically a person has to turn their head but because the console is above the dash, the person can see the road around the console. I've never been in a car that has a center console so I can't be sure though.
Does this sound right though?

It's a good idea but why did they make the center of the steering wheel so large? It looks like a big pillow for the driver to place their head on and sleep when they get tired.

 

[psy44]

BTW From what I've heard In the near future, the dash will be displayed on the windshield. The dash will be projected just like fighter pilot's data is projected in front of them.

 

[SpiderX]

Thats just fugly. I don't see how it would be safer, but after driving with it the other way for so many years it would be hard to adjust.

 

[BCYL]

Oh come on, the Echo has been doing that for YEARS!!!

You dont understand it's advantages until you have actually driven one... I have driven an Echo, and you dont have to look down to check out your speed... in fact, you dont have to move your head at all... you can kinda keep one eye on the road while check out the speedo with your other eye... It's not like you have to turn your head just to read the instruments...

I think it looks ugly as hell, but it does offer it's advantages and probably a LITTLE safer for some people...

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: BCYL
Oh come on, the Echo has been doing that for YEARS!!!

You dont understand it's advantages until you have actually driven one... I have driven an Echo, and you dont have to look down to check out your speed... in fact, you dont have to move your head at all... you can kinda keep one eye on the road while check out the speedo with your other eye... It's not like you have to turn your head just to read the instruments...

I think it looks ugly as hell, but it does offer it's advantages and probably a LITTLE safer for some people...

i don't move my head to check my speedo with it in the traditional space. not my fault you don't adjust things right.

 

[yobarman]

Originally posted by: Maharaja
I read about this a few weeks ago in Crain's Automotive News. The GM people interviewed didn't say anything about safety. They put it there partly for styling (something new to get people excited about Saturn's again) and also because there is this new trend now of getting passengers more involved in the driving. The speedometer is in the center so everyone in the car can see it and know how fast they're going. Yes, it seemed stupid to me when I read it.

Driving should be up to the driver. GOD HOW I HATE BACK SEAT DRIVERS! Leave me the hell alone when I'm driving. If this is what they're going for... well, you'll never see me in a Saturn Ion. Not that I was ever interested in Saturn anyway.

 

[Masas]

most likely its "safer" because there is less vision-hampering due to the removed section on top of the steering wheel....


i'd think so anyway