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 911 is so far from what it started as it’s a bit silly to be worried about digital gauge clusters at this point. I prefer analog too but it just doesn’t matter that much.
I’d much rather have a digital dash than a digital “infotainment” screen. The dash on the otherwise horrible Chevy Equinox I rented recently had some actually useful information on its digital display, including actual coolant temperature instead of an idiot light or intentionally inaccurate gauge.
I thought I was going to hate digital gauges on cars. Then I bought a vehicle that only had digital gauges and it’s been a total non-issue.
But I think 2 key things are important. The screen needs to have a binnacal or else it will get washed out in certain lighting conditions. The other thing is that it should either offer something special or the graphics should try to mimic real, multi-layer gauge faces. Or better yet, BOTH since it’s just a screen that’s attached to a computer that will let it display anything it’s programmed to.
Looking at the photos in this article, I don’t think the 992.2 has either. The screen looks like it has only a tiny binnacal. And the graphics look boring as hell. No details in the graphics to give them some flair or virtual depth. They look mostly like the boring ass “minimalistic” and “flat” graphics that have been the scourge in phones UIs since Apple introduced it over a decade ago.
While I do like a moving needle across a gauge, I think the real issue people have with digital gauges / many modern ecu driven “analog” gauges is how responsive and how filtered the movement it. Too many cars seem to lag by .5-1 seconds, and also apply severe filtering to the movement. I’d rather have a bouncing “needle” if a car is misfiring 1-2 times a second than the perfectly smooth output you get in most cars. Somewhere around 5-10 updates per second would probably convert a lot of old school haters. Bonus points if they let me digitally rotate the gauge so what I determine to be the danger zone is pointing straight up so I don’t even need to look directly at them.
Bring back the 928 with its moving binnacle!
In this context “analog” doesn’t mean “cable-driven,” that’s not what people are asking for. They are asking for a gauge cluster that consists of gauge needles that physically trace an arc over a non-emulated gauge face. The word “analog” is often substituted to describe this collection of parts. It’s tactile, effective, doesn’t wash out in direct sunlight, and timeless.
Personally, I find the hand waving and attitude of “everyone just needs to get over it” to be a bit insulting in the context of a car culture website that is meant to be for everyone. If this is a place for all enthusiasts, then sure there is room here for people who like physical gauges in their $100k sports cars right?
If you aren’t gonna be all “analog” then what is the point of having one analog gauge and the rest digital. Just make em all digital.
Gotta agree with the Rolex comment. Cheapskate cost savings on a 911 is the kind of mindset that is making Porsche struggle right now
Everyone can opine as they like, and buy or not buy as they like.
In this case I doubt cost savings were much of a consideration for Porsche, who can pretty much charge what’s necessary for features and performance that are wanted. As noted in the article, the digital gauge gives you choices that give you better information, to improve your enjoyment of your sporting driving experience.
In the case of watches, people can buy Rolexes. Or if they’re like me: given the choice of solely one or the other for the rest of my life, I would without hesitation reject any Rolex in favor of my smartwatch. I understand some of the appeal of watches, and I do like them, but not as a thing on my wrist whose job is to do things.
When was the last time analog gauges were truly analog? Anything that appears to be an analog gauge is a needle driven by a stepper motor processing electronic data.
They’ve been milking the “analog” thing for a while. my gut level warm take is the last REAL 911 was the 997, everything since has been a gussied up touring car for people who want badge cachet. I am of course qualified to speak on this matter because i have an opinion and i’m on the internet.