Complexity and decoration are reaching new heights within vehicle interiors.
Although the overall architecture impression is one of simplification, up close there is ever-more complex surface decoration and combinations of materials being used in interiors, as a way of raising perceived quality and adding craftsmanship to the cabin.
The ‘piano black’ look is being superseded by ‘glass effect’ transparent coatings influenced from smart phone screens. Meanwhile, matte black, satin aluminum and colored chrome satin finish metal-effect foils continue to be added, especially on haptic areas such as steering wheels, door grips and gear shifters.
Volvo showed new combinations of transparent plastic and engraved satin metal parts on the gearshift and switchgear of the Coupe concept seen at Frankfurt.
Backlit décor inserts have been previewed on the Nissan Resonance and the production Opel Adam, which offers a backlit décor insert as an option.
Opel went one step further at Frankfurt with the Monza concept offering a unique world of instruments and infotainment, with the wide, sculpted IP used as a single projection surface. Both information and decorative motifs are projected simultaneously onto the curved surfaces by an array of 18 LED projectors.
