Original Dash boards were call as such, because they consisted of a flat wooden board, with holes cut into them for gauges and switches. Racers redesigned the boards to provide only those essential controls, and customized the boards for their mission.
This new design pays homage to those simpler days when there were less distractions, but the critical ones that needed monitoring were put along that board.
Modern vehicles really need none of these. The sensors take care of monitoring all the vital signs on the propulsion unit, and only show on a display when something is out of wack.
No longer is there a need to constantly watch speeds, temps, revs, or pressures, The car will monitor all those things, and the driver can concentrate on other items.
This new dash design, with hidden vents and few buttons will be the design theme for most future cars.
Current dash designs are horribly expensive to design, manufacture and install. Takes specialized testing, where a single connection can cause very expensive repairs. The design of the wiring, fiberoptics, bluetooth, vent adjusters, many buttoned heat/air-con can confuse most of us, until we get used to the unique controls in every car.
Complaining that it does not represent your personal taste, or is not like other cars you are used to, might soon go away when the more pleasurable driving experience becomes more important.
Fighter jets are going the same way. Used to be so many gauges to watch, it took two people to fly them in combat. Now only those items of essential information are put on the display. The pilot can get all the information he need with a quick glance, and the information changes with every mission. These planes now own the skys, and older technology cannot compete.
The stick and rudder do not directly control the planes anymore. The input tells the computers what the pilot wants the plane to do, and the computer sorts out all the details, leaving the pilot with the ability to dominate his airspace.
