Head-up-Display: In focus – with AMG-exclusive features
An optional head-up display is a new feature in the C-Class. As in a jet fighter, it projects important information directly into the driver’s field of vision on the windscreen, ensuring that there is less distraction from the road ahead.
The system provides information on vehicle speed, posted speed limits, navigation instructions and DISTRONIC messages.
The C 63 also has AMG-exclusive features that include a gear indicator and RACE TIMER.
The head-up display projects important information such as vehicle speed, speed limits, navigation information, traffic signs and information from DISTRONIC PLUS onto the windscreen.
The virtual colour display measuring 21 x 7 centimetres appears to float on the bonnet at a distance of about two metres from the driver.
This means that the head-up display is perfectly positioned in the driver’s field of view. He or she is able to take in relevant information without having to look away from what is happening on the road ahead.
In addition, the display shows the digital speed, engine speed and currently selected gear.
In the alternatively selectable AMG mode, the driver sees a coloured bar graphic prompting upshifts and an additional gear indicator.
The RACE TIMER provides ideal support for fast lap times on enclosed racetracks: the current lap time is shown at the lower edge, where it is optimally visible to the driver.
When AMG mode is activated, the navigation instructions and DISTRONIC PLUS are suppressed.
The technical basis of the head-up display is a specular optics system and a full-colour display module with a resolution of 480 x 240 pixels, operating with high-power LEDs.
The resolution of more than 60 pixels per degree of viewing angle ensures a needle-sharp image.
A light sensor located near the top edge of the roof automatically adjusts the brightness of the head-up display to the exterior lighting conditions.
Brightness levels of 10,000 cd/m² plus can be achieved on sunny days. Because the contrast ratio is better than 1000:1, the system produces a high-quality display even in the dark.
The driver can adjust the height of the virtual image so that it can be easily viewed. On vehicles with seat memory function this feature stores the individual settings.
A range of display content can also be enabled or disabled, and the brightness of the display adjusted individually.
The special head-up windscreen with its wedge-shaped laminated foil eliminates double images produced by reflections on the outer and inner boundary surfaces of the windscreen.
It superimposes the secondary image, which is produced on the outer surface, onto the primary image.
This offset depends on the particular angle and has been optimised for a driver in a normal seating position.
