Humans generally don’t like change. Just ask Coca-Cola, or indeed, Porsche. When a product becomes so beloved that certain individuals build a chunk of their personality on it, any changes are often subject to heavy scrutiny. Unsurprisingly, people are big mad about the digital gauge cluster in the 992.2 Porsche 911, but I reckon it’s time they got over it.
Now, I’m not one for ultra-minimalist tech-heavy cars. I like buttons, knobs, switches, tactile things that add complexity but also facets to interact with the machine. Both of my own cars feature row-your-own gearboxes by choice, to give you context on how I’ve put my money where my mouth is. As for this latest generation of Porsche’s sports car, I still bemoan the change from a simulacra of a key to a regular start button, but after having lived with the 992.2, I can safely say that the new all-screen instrument panel is actually a substantial usability improvement.
Still, that hasn’t stopped people on the internet from getting mad ever since spy photos of the facelifted interior leaked in 2022. On a Rennlist thread about the digital cluster abundant in short comments detailing the suboptimal reception of the digital gauge cluster, one user wrote “It’s almost like Rolex going with digital movement and displays.”
On a similar note, this Reddit post in r/porsche entitled “We Need Analog Gauges Back on the 992.2 911” goes on a rant about how this user is unenthused by the all-digital cluster on facelifted 992.2 non-GT models.
The move to a completely digital cluster feels like a step towards homogenizing the driving experience. One of the unique charms of the 911 was its distinct analog elements, which set it apart from other high-performance cars. Now, it seems Porsche is prioritizing flashy screens over the timeless driving pleasure that the analog tachs offered. Don’t even get me started with the start/stop button. I am not looking forward to the future.
Alright, if it’s about tradition, let’s take it there. The dashboard of classic 911s is dominated by a five-gauge layout, and while it looks great with the physical tachometer in the close-up photograph above, it only takes a quick zoom out to reveal a problem in emulating a classic Porsche 911 cue in the pre-facelift 992.1.
Ah, yeah. See, the pre-facelift 992.1 cluster consisted of two screens flanking an analog-facing tachometer, and if you wanted the five-gauge layout, the two outer simulated gauges were almost completely blocked by the rim of the steering wheel. This wouldn’t be a huge problem if the information within them wasn’t necessary for vehicle operation, but the simulated gauge on the right is the only one that can display fuel level and range remaining. You know, important information when operating a car. Also, about that tachometer—it’s not an analog cable-driven unit because pretty much no modern car still uses that technology. Instead, it’s a digital board with an analog face, only analog in the horological sense rather than the sense every car enthusiast seems to use.
Meanwhile, the all-digital cluster in the 992.2 Porsche 911 goes semi-circular with the outer dials when the five-dial layout is selected, and the result means you’re actually able to see all five dials. A quick glance down while in my normal seating position lets me see oil temperature, water temperature, wheel speed, engine speed, and a little dial of my choosing I currently have set to display the trip computer. Excellent.
What’s more, the all-digital cluster opens up new layout options, and I’m quite fond of this minimalist one. You used to have to choose between displaying your tire pressure and certain powertrain temperature levels on a regular 911, but not anymore. Tire pressure and temperature on the left, oil temperature, coolant temperature, battery temperature in this T-Hybrid model, and fuel tank level on the right. Speed and revs in the middle, of course.
While the analog-style tachometer is still fitted to the 911 GT3, I’ve actually found the all-digital cluster easier to live with. Besides, we’re talking about a predominantly turbocharged, predominantly dual-clutch automatic sports car available with four-wheel-steering, adaptive damping, and even hybridization. The jig of pretending it’s “analog” is firmly up. Want something more mechanical and less electronic? Go buy an old air-cooled Porsche. Want something up-to-date? Buy a new one. For now, I’ll continue to enjoy this familial digital cluster as I decide whether the stick-shift 911 Carrera T or the electrified 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid is the new Carrera to have. Watch this space.
Top graphic images: Thomas Hundal
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The comment section coming in hot to reinforce your point. 😉
Every day I wake up and remind myself how lucky I am that shit like this doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
reminds me about that post a few weeks ago about that Audi fan’s 40 minute video lamenting the change in badge font etc. I can sort of imagine how you end up in that place, and am forever glad I am not.
I think the Rolex comparison is apt. An apple watch has countless more functions and keeps better time than a Rolex ever will. But there is still something special about the Rolex, something that people are willing to pay for. Just like a Porsche 911. There are many more efficient ways to build a car, but having a rear-engine, flat-6 motor is special, and not because it’s better.
Matte Rimac understood this when designing the Tourbillon. There is something endearing about an object that retains some mechanical roots in our increasingly tech laden lives.
I think it follows cycles based on popularity. There were a couple years where an all-digital dash looked futuristic, especially with all the animations for driving modes. Now that they’re everywhere, they’re boring. An analog dash is unique and special again. I bet we will witness the return of the analog key, either by an OEM or aftermarket kits.
To echo some other comments, I think this type of headline/article is dismissive in ways that aren’t in keeping with The Autopian’s mission.
I’d be happy to read an article titled “I like Porsche’s new digital gauge” or “digital gauges are good, actually”, because those would communicate intent to start a conversation, but “it’s time everyone stopped freaking out[…]” is an attempt at ending a discussion, and Thomas, I really enjoy your writing, but you didn’t come anywhere near ending this discussion.
I’m not a 992 buyer nor will I ever be, so the cluster doesn’t directly affect me, but I do think the all-digital cluster is at best misguided, and more than likely production corner-cutting that could be a sign of deeper financial problems at Porsche. And that affects me, because if they go under, the parts supply dries up for the 986’s and 944’s and the like.
Every day I hear about/read about some random thing that is apparently hugely controversial and it’s basically divided the internet and is causing divorces, heartache, anguish, etc. and when you look further into it it all comes from like a half dozen posts on social media.
Autopian, please walk away from these headlines. There are far better ways to say the same thing. Telling a group of enthusiasts that their opinions are flat out wrong, which is what this kind of headline does, DOES NOT ALIGN with your mission of all car people welcome here.
I agree in this case, although I don’t think it’s true all car people are welcome, or should be. The Autopian doesn’t have much patience for the DEF Delete enthusiast community and the like. So yeah, we should for sure be welcoming to people who prefer one dash design over another, but somewhere, much further out, there is a line, which I (and I think most all of us) appreciate.
With the exception of acknowledging that both the cars and the watches are, in my opinion, wildly overpriced and both brands are saddled with nostalgic fanbases, I’m not sure I can get on board with the Rolex comparison. Modern cars ARE rolling computers, like it or not. Computers have monitors, and digital displays have come a very long way since car companies first tried them back in the 80s.
I have a full digital dash in my Mustang and have no complaints.
Were I a hardcore Porsche enthusiast, I’d focus all my complaints squarely on how heavy the cars have become.