Some automakers have gone overboard with interior design, replacing traditional knobs and buttons with touch-sensitive controls and oversized touchscreens. Porsche followed this trend with the launch of the electric Taycan, removing many of the physical controls. But now it seems that the company is reconsidering this approach.
In an interview with drive In Germany, Dirk Asfalg, Cayenne’s electronics director, said customers still want physical buttons in their cars. Even the new Cayenne EV, which features… Technology-laden interior With a 14.3-inch OLED central display, it retains physical controls for most key functions.
According to Assfalg, Porsche models will “always” have certain hard buttons — such as the volume knob — and the Cayenne Electric retains touch controls for things like fan speed and temperature. Most other features are still managed via the large touchscreen. Asfalaj says:
“We know from our customers, also coming from China, that there is always a strong desire to have these buttons remain in the car… We have physical buttons for things we want to know, or we want to get some physical feedback.”
The interior of the electric Porsche Cayenne
Photo by: Porsche
Porsche isn’t the only automaker clinging to the volume knob, either. BMW’s new iX3 electric SUV features a large 17.9-inch iDrive display that can handle most functions, but like the Cayenne, it still includes a physical music button.
According to BMW, customers still want touch controls. The company analyzed data from nearly 10 million drivers and found that the volume knob remains one of the most used features across its cars.
Fortunately, it looks like the volume rocker won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
