The 2014 Chevrolet Impala Gets Personal

[ne_one]

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala Gets Personal
GM
November 27, 2012

Feeling a bit suburban soccer mom, urban hipster, fast and furious or something in between? The 2014 Chevrolet Impala’s next-generation MyLink system gives owners the ability to change the personality of the Impala’s interior by reconfiguring the instrument cluster and center stack graphics with a single button push.

Personalization is common with many of today’s technologies. Downloadable “skins” or themes can enhance interaction.

“People are able to modify the look and feel of their smartphones and computers; now they can do that with their car, too,” said Matt Fuligni, design manager, Chevrolet User Experience.

Fuligni said designers drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including smartphone icons and even the television graphics that display the scores on football games.

Using consumer research, including interviews and online voting, MyLink designers developed four specific graphic appearances designed to appeal to the distinctive personalities of Chevrolet customer groups. They include:

• Contemporary – Clean, simple interface that’s not overly colorful or busy, geared to busy moms and families.
• Edge – Youth-oriented, dynamic feel with vibrant colors and pop culture-inspired icons.
• Velocity – Sleek, with carbon fiber background appearance and glowing neon, aimed at driving enthusiasts.
• Main Street – An all-around, crowd-pleasing design using primary colors; a typical customer may drive a truck and use it as a high-tech mobile office.

Customers simply use the Settings menu to personalize their Impala, which goes on sale next spring.

MyLink also allows users to edit the main home screen by dragging icons to a different page or dock them to the top of the screen for easy access from any screen.

“There is such a high level of attention, consistency and level of detail in the graphics on the cluster and center stack displays that they’ve become nearly as important to the overall interior look and feel as color and trim,” said Fuligni. “We can’t design a custom Impala interior for every customer, but we can give them the next best thing.”

[Syclone478]

Sweet. It seems like a natural progression for digital in-dash displays. I wonder how long it is before other manufacturers catch on to the concept? (Assuming it's a new idea.)

[hrcslam]

With the huge market of customizing personal cell phones with covers and other accessories and apps, why wouldn't anyone with the capability to do this, do this? I say get it in the Sonic and Spark STAT! With the next generation less into cars and more into tech, this is a no brainer...

[spd98]

I guess this is the follow up to the Ford "change your interior lighting color" thinking. The issue I see is that with Impala's pricing I doubt there will be that many young buyers. I can totally see it as a sales persons car or a manager that travels though.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

One of the settings will be geared to "busy moms". Will Chevrolet have a setting for "busy dads"?

[Ed753]

Oh the irony .......................... If only all the primary functions could be done with the depress of a single button......


"The 2014 Chevrolet Impala’s next-generation MyLink system gives owners the ability to change the personality of the Impala’s interior by reconfiguring the instrument cluster and center stack graphics with a single button push."

[poncho1982]

One of the settings will be geared to "busy moms". Will Chevrolet have a setting for "busy dads"?

Yeah, it's called the right foot!!

[JBsZ06]

Does this new tech eventually kill off on star?

The voice recognition in my corvette with on star blows

[skylark68]

Perfect car for people who hate cars. I'll save my cash for the SS.

[1.21 giggawatts]

Chevrolet User Experience... man.. i just had a deja vu moment... can't put my finger on it.

[caddycruiser]

Perfect car for people who hate cars. I'll save my cash for the SS.

No, that would be the Camry. The Impala is a different ballgame, and just because it's FWD doesn't mean it's instantly rental grade blabber. Current car, yes. New model, not even close.

The SS will be great, but will be small volume compared to real world buyers of the Impala.

Interesting setup. As long as you don't over complicate, people will enjoy the system.

[Ed753]

Does this new tech eventually kill off on star?

The voice recognition in my corvette with on star blows

You mean OnStar still exists!?