Big screens, endless menus and touch-sensitive buttons are all well and good, but what if you just want to turn up the heating without taking your eyes off the road? Renault reckons it has the answer, with the infotainment system in its 4 E-Tech electric named the least distracting system in a test of 21 new cars by What Car? magazine.
Cars were assessed on how quickly drivers could change the radio station, adjust the cabin temperature, switch on the heated seat and enter a destination into the satnav. The Renault 4 completed all four tasks in just 12.2 seconds, with both driver distraction and mental effort rated low. Its voice control was particularly impressive, setting a satnav destination in just three seconds – the fastest result in the test.
At the heart of it all is Renault’s openR link system, which integrates Google services on compatible models. These include Google Maps for navigation, Google Assistant for voice commands and Google Play for compatible apps. Physical controls for frequently used functions such as heating and ventilation also help reduce the need to repeatedly tap a touchscreen.
The openR link system first appeared in the Megane E-Tech electric and has since spread across Renault’s range, including the Renault 5, Captur, Scenic and Austral. The Renault Austral also won the SMARTBEST 2023 award from AUTOBEST for its connected multimedia technology.
Renault isn't standing still, either. Google’s Gemini AI assistant began rolling out to compatible models in June, bringing more conversational voice control and the ability to handle a series of requests. Depending on the vehicle and available features, it can also interact with functions and information such as climate control, navigation and electric driving range.
Of course, one test doesn't mean every driver will find the system perfect, and What Car?’s findings relate specifically to the tasks included in its assessment. But with modern cars increasingly expecting drivers to manage everything through a screen, making those interactions quicker and less distracting is a welcome development.
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