Sorry for the super shaky video but my passenger was breakdancing while she was shooting this for me. If anything you can hear what the car sounds like at 70+ mph and see how "bouncy" the ride is.
If the screens are flipping by too fast for you, what we scrolled through, after the jump...
The functions and their descriptions thanks to gran-turismo.com.
Custom view 4 which we customized to have transmission oil temp, engine oil temp, coolant temp, boost, speed and acceleration pedal.
Acceleration: Shows the history graph of acceleration in the last 20 seconds. Has a turbo boost pressure gauge and level of accelerator opening.
Braking: Shows the history graph of deceleration in the last 20 seconds and speed as well as brake fluid pressure gauge.
Steering: Shows history graph of turning Gs in the last 20 seconds as well as speed and steering angle gauge.
Gear Position: Shows engine map indicator. "The current gear and the driving condition during shift up/down is displayed by the color which changes dynamically. The changes in color indicate a higher fuel economy as it turns blue, and more towards acceleration as it turns red." Current speed and gear position are also displayed.
Fuel Economy: "The ECO (fuel economy) level for the last 20 minutes is displayed in 10 levels. The upper small palette shows section fuel consumption gage, and the lower palette shows the current ECO level."
Stop Watch: Shows time measurements during driving. Main box shows section time which can be recorded with a button on the steering wheel. Also shows current speed and total measured time.
Driver's Notes: Ours was blank but this shows the MARK list, "which records intersections and highways that have been passed through automatically." It also displays the fuel gauge, remaining distance to drive and the distance already driven.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor
stovt001 says:
01:36 PM, 03/14/09
That video wasn't too shaky. I don't see the point in this screen. If you're driving, you shouldn't be looking at a graph of what you were doing 20 seconds ago.
nealibob says:
01:49 PM, 03/14/09
iDrive could use this kind of information
clarkma5 says:
04:13 PM, 03/14/09
It's much more of a plaything for the passenger and an "ooh wow" feature than anything too useful, it seems. Much like the economy screen in the Prius, it's got a lot of graphics and statistics that shouldn't be there distracting the driver while on the move.
msdaisy says:
05:51 PM, 03/14/09
"Sorry for the super shaky video but my passenger was breakdancing while she was shooting this for me."
You should have had "Days Go By" playing in the background then :D
carfreak8394 says:
07:35 PM, 03/14/09
The video wasn't too bad, consdering you were going 74. Nice job, though. I agree that the driver shouldn't be staring at it while driving, but it's nice to have. The Prius' fuel-economy display is addicting. While renting one over the summer, I couldn't stop looking at it while in the car.
ctpax says:
09:21 PM, 03/14/09
the GT-R sounds nice at 70+ mph
bkochuk says:
10:31 AM, 03/15/09
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but it reminds me of a high-tech version of the "inclin-ometer" I had on my '87 Mitsubishi Montero
iancar says:
09:19 PM, 03/15/09
73 mph isn't exactly fast, but it isn't exactly legal either.
skid666 says:
06:51 AM, 03/16/09
Was the 18 MPG an instantaneous value or average?
It seems kinda low, especially compared to a Corvette.
kissel1 says:
08:39 AM, 03/16/09
Caroline! Caroline!
Great post and great video! It's so good to see you all use more video material.
Here's my suggestion: wear a chicken suit when you do your next video.
I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that editors dressing up like animals will make these videos much more interesting. They'll stand out from other car sites' videos!
Try it! Just "my two cents!" :-)
dougtheeng says:
08:51 AM, 03/16/09
I finally saw a GT-R on the road this weekend!
Even though I know it can be a pain for the car owner, I did take the opportunity to park beside it and get a picture, lol. Whatever, when I drive a fancy sports car I'll make up for it by letting people post with it.
http://img256.imageshack.us/my.php?image=minigtr.jpg
zoomzoom22 says:
03:22 PM, 03/16/09
dougtheeng -
If I had a GTR I'd love if people took pics of it. I'm jealous of your Legacy, BTW. I've been meaning to tell you that.
zoomzoom22 says:
03:26 PM, 03/16/09
Looking back, I'm not sure if you are the guy with the Legacy. Maybe that's Joe. :/
It has been a long day. Never climb Mt. Elbert in the snow when you have to hike 6 miles just to get to the trailhead.
dougtheeng says:
06:32 AM, 03/17/09
I don't have a legacy. Mine is the red MINI Cooper beside the GT-R in the photo I posted.
dougtheeng says:
06:33 AM, 03/17/09
Joe is indeed the guy with the Subaru Legacy (GT?)
caroscuro says:
03:09 PM, 03/18/09
dougtheeng,
Sweet Mini!
dougtheeng says:
09:53 AM, 03/19/09
thanks!
epbrown says:
01:29 AM, 03/20/09
@dougtheeng: the supply-line must be catching up to demand - I parked next to one today, the first I've seen in person. I was surprised because it was on an ordinary spot in our parking garage, rather than tucked at an angle in a corner spot where no one can park next to it; typically the Porsches jockey for those. I suspect the owner traded in an Lotus - it was in the same spot I've seen an orange Exige in for years, through all seasons and conditions. The GT-R might be his idea of a practical replacement daily driver. :)