Center console (automobile)

As a center console is that portion of the dashboard in the car, which begins approximately at knee height between the two front footwells and extends up to the position of the armrest between the front seats. The center console is essentially for comfort control and display elements used (ventilation / air conditioning, car radio, navigation system), but also contains, depending on the type of vehicle the gear lever and the handbrake handle.

After the center console has long been dominated by separate systems such as radio and ventilation, it is occupied more and more integrated infotainment systems in modern vehicles: The date the individual switching and functional elements are combined and by means of a central operation (eg iDrive ) and display element (TFT or LCD display ) served. Advantage is that the operation of the systems is consistent and can be networked better disadvantage: individual components can not be exchanged or retrofitted.

Mostly, the center console also smaller storage compartments, cup holder ( cup holder ) and ashtray / cigarette lighter.

• Automotive design