Mercedes Design Chief on Screens and Luxury
While the electric EQS sedan was the first to showcase the dash-spanning Hyperscreen, Mercedes-Benz’s head of design suggests that expansive displays don’t necessarily equate to luxury.
The Ubiquity of Screens in Modern Cars
Most contemporary vehicles feature a substantial touchscreen on the dashboard and a digital gauge cluster. Mercedes-Benz pushed boundaries with the EQS sedan’s Hyperscreen—three screens under a single pane of glass stretching across the dashboard. However, Mercedes-Benz’s chief design officer, Gorden Wagener, stated that “screens are not luxury.”
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Why Big Screens Aren’t Enough
Wagener believes large screens are becoming too common, especially for Mercedes-Benz’s clientele. He pointed out that many customers have larger and better TVs at home. With premium cars increasingly offering screens of 10 inches or more, larger displays alone don’t distinguish Mercedes-Benz. Even more cars, like the Ferrari Purosangue, Ram 1500, and Jeep Grand Wagoneer, now include dedicated front passenger screens.
Wagener emphasizes the need to create luxury beyond screens, focusing on “craftsmanship and sophistication.” While he didn’t detail Mercedes-Benz’s specific plans, the emphasis is on elements beyond just digital displays.
Mercedes-Benz’s Continued Use of Large Displays
Despite these comments, Mercedes-Benz isn’t abandoning large displays. The flagship S-class sedan is expected to receive a significant refresh for the 2026 model year, likely incorporating the EQS’s Hyperscreen. Furthermore, the latest E-class, introduced two model years ago, features the Superscreen—a more moderate version of digital integration.
Improving the Screen Experience
While screens remain, Mercedes-Benz aims to enhance their value. Wagener acknowledged that while the hardware is impressive with futuristic visuals and crisp graphics, the software needs improvement. This statement followed questions about customer feedback on the Hyperscreen in the EQS electric sedan.
Enhancing Screen Content and Functionality
The E-Class’s infotainment system includes apps like TikTok, Angry Birds, and Zoom. Mercedes-Benz is developing more specialized and entertaining content for its large displays. Wagener stated, “Because when you have a big screen, you want to have great content on it. So we’re working on content that is more specific and more entertaining.”
Mercedes-Benz
